Confusion and the Constitution

Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.

NINFA R. LEONARDIA Editor-in-Chief & President

CARLA P. GOMEZ Editor GUILLERMO TEJIDA III Desk Editor NANETTE L. GUADALQUIVER Busines Editor ERIC T. LORETIZO Sports Editor (On Leave) RENE GENOVE Bureau Chief, Dumaguete MAJA P. DELY Advertising Coordinator

CARLOS ANTONIO L. LEONARDIA Administrative Officer

A recent survey done by Pulse Asia showed that two out of three Filipinos are not familiar with the Constitution or with the current moves to change it, and the methods to be used in doing so. Barangay people who had assembled for the so-called required Local Government meetings, but found themselves being made to sign their support for the changes, interviewed randomly later, also generally replied that they did not understand what they were supposed to be approving, but did so only because they were asked to.

With the latest development at the Commission on Election itself, it is not at all surprising that Filipinos are confused about all these moves being undertaken by interested parties in the government. Only on Tuesday, the highest officials of the COMELEC themselves appeared to be at odds about the process being promoted in the country.

One Commissioner, the newest one, former judge Romeo Brawner, stated unequivocally that he believed there was no enabling law that would allow the so-called "People's Initiative" to be used as the means of effecting the Constitutional changes being sought by such interested parties. He was also quoted as saying that the petition for it, if presented to their office, would have to be dismissed outright. His view was in line with what Senator Miriam Santiago had earlier posited about the method, having herself benefited when she had questioned it in 1997, to abort a move to also change the Constitution in order to, allegedly, retain her arch-enemy, then President Fidel Ramos, in office.

However, the chairman of the Comelec himself, Benjamin Abalos, has other ideas about the procedure. Abalos is of the view that they could still go on with the verification of the collected signatures, despite the absence of a law allowing it. Is it still any wonder that the man on the street, the ordinary Pinoy, and even some of the educated ones are confused? But perhaps that is also one of the strategies being employed in this move?*