My statement on Senate, House OK of ChaCha

Whatever was discussed during the summit does not bind the Senate in any way, and a separate act of the Senate is necessary if this is to become official. As it stands everything is unofficial and without any binding effect on any of the Senators. Even the creation of the Committee between both Houses needs Senate approval before it can bind the Senate.

There has been no Senate caucus to discuss this. There have been no Committee nor plenary debates held on the issue, and so I am wondering why it is being reported that Congress already has a position on the issue of Charter Change.

We take the inputs made during the legislative summit as inputs to help guide us should we see the need to discuss Charter Change in the plenary, but the individual Senators are not bound by what was discussed there. Until it is brought to the plenary, debated and approved, there is no official Senate position. The way it is made to appear by some quarter that ChaCha is a done deal is most unfortunate. It does not help their cause any as it preempts the rest of the Senators on the issue.

The proper procedure is for the inputs of the summit to be forwarded to the Committee on Constitutional Amendments for proper action. Creating a Committee between both Houses preempts the work of the Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendments. We should not take legal shortcuts to fast track Charter Change debates because to do so will be harmful in the long run. Charter Change debates should be inclusive and not exclusive. I suggest those pushing for Charter Change to review the direction of effort: Don’t put the cart before the horse.

The action points agreed upon in the summit requires Senate sanction; otherwise it has no binding effect on the Senate.

Chacha is not a magic wand that will solve our country's problems

We should not look at ChaCha as the magic wand that will solve our country's problems. We are still struggling to implement our laws as they are, what makes them think that when a new set of laws under a new constitution is put in place these new laws will then be effectively and fully implemented? Even under a new constitution it will still be political will and genuine leadership that will ensure that the laws are implemented in full. Changing our constitution doesn't guarantee anything. In the end, what we need is determined and effective leadership that will vigorously implement our laws in full without fear or favor.

I am willing to debate but I must caution the public not too look at the ChaCha as a magic wand that will solve the serious problems facing the nation. If we cannot implement our existing laws in full what makes us think that we will be able to implement the laws in full under a new constitution? Full and effective implementation of our laws by public sector leaders with the support of citizens who are equally determined and resolute in effecting real change will bring about the change we seek with or without ChaCha.

The Con-con Bill is just a waste of time and resources

Now the President is pushing for a constitutional convention (Con-con). According to news reports, she is "considering putting it on the agenda in a proposed special session to ensure its passage."

They are just wasting their time. The Senate will not agree to Charter Change initiated by the Arroyo administration. They won't find any Malacanang lapdogs in the Senate who are willing to jump and bark just to please the masters by the Pasig River.

With elections just a few months away, now is not the time--and, more significantly, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is not the leader we can trust to push for Charter Change.

The Arroyo administration, now on its way out the door, cannot be trusted to amend the Constitution with the nation's interest in mind.

Sarili lang nilang interes at kapakanan ang isinusulong nila sa mungkahing ito. Walang mapapalang mabuti ang mga mamamayan sa walang kwentang Cha-Cha ni Gloria.