What? Well before lashing me out on this one, let us first put into perspective Con-Ass or and Cha-Cha using its basic definitions. From there, I believe, we will be able to understand the true nature of what I am talking about. Both words, Con-Ass and Cha-Cha, simply refer to Constitutional Assembly and Charter Change
Charter Change is a term used to refer to the act of amending and revising the Constitution. Charter Change by way of Constitutional Assembly is an issue which that has caused so much misunderstanding between the masses and the Arroyo Administration.
This exercise has been specifically outlined in our Constitution in Article XVII Section 1 and 2. Basically the 1987 Constitution provides three methods of doing such: 1.) By way of a Constitutional Assembly (Con-Ass)(Congress, upon a vote of three-fourths of all its Members) 2.) By a Constitutional convention (Con-Con) 3.) People's Initiative
So now, why am for it when almost every body in the blogsphere are bashing on it? For me, making changes in our Constitution for the better is a good thing. Charter Change is the only viable way of putting those necessary changes. If we look at the US Constitution, we will find out that it's last amendment was done on May 1992, which as raised the total amendments to 27 since its promulgation in 1787. Probably, one good change we can implement is reducing the population of Congressmen. They have become too many and too costly already. Another change could be including provisions that will be hinder political dynasties. There are more practical amendments that I could think of but I will be reserving those for another post.
Secondly, I am for Constitutional Assembly as the means for Charter change since it is the most cost effective and efficient method in comparison with the other three. Constitutional Conventions can be costly and time consuming, while using the people's initiative would be very costly and unrealistic. In fact no law has been passed on how to exercise such right. Congress, despite its innumerable failures, still has lawmakers who can definitely come up with useful amendments.
Well, there goes my two cents of opinion concerning Cha-Cha and Con-Ass. However, many of the masses have been misled by equating Con-Ass and Cha-Cha as a plot of Mrs. Arroyo to extend her term. Clearly, Cha-Cha and Con-Ass are not meant for such purposes.
Yet this does not mean I am for Cha-Cha now. What would be practical is to have Charter Change after the scheduled May 2010 elections to avoid political unrest because of the misunderstanding. I am against Congress' plans of trying to have Cha-Cha now. Let us support Cha-Cha through a Constitutional Assembly after the May 2010 elections.
To know more on whether you should say yes to conass visit the blog of Zigfred Diaz at www.zdiaz.com
