YANO CALLING 2000 ALL-OUT WAR VICTORY ‘SYMBOLIC’ A DISSERVICE TO THE MILITARY

This is to clarify some of the statements made by Armed Forces Chief General Alexander Yano regarding the All Out War of former President Joseph Estrada in Mindanao in 2000, as quoted in several articles today wherein General Yano stated, “Our objective now is not just to occupy lands as in 2000, which is symbolic, but to degrade the capabilities of the forces involved”.First of all, we observe that General Yano is finally following the policy of former President Estrada against tolerance of separatists. Indeed, it is high time that the incumbent administration pursue efforts, as publicly advised by former President Estrada, to protect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the nation by means of an “all-out war”. In stating that they are aspiring now to “degrade” the MILF even beyond what was achieved during the Estrada Administration means that this incumbent administration has  decided to fight an all-out war against the MILF, as Estrada did in 2000. As much as former President Estrada believes that all other measures must first be exhausted before engaging in such war, he still maintains, from experience in their extensive peace negotiations with the MILF in 1998 and 1999, that overthrowing the MILF remains to be the only solution in order to achieve peace in the Mindanao region.

While declaring their objective, however, General Yano also reduced the Estrada Administration’s achievement of peace in Mindanao to merely “symbolic” – an uncalled for, unnecessary and incorrect statement. General Yano should remember that an occupational victory is a final victory. The military at the time overthrew all 46 camps of the MILF, including Camp Abubakar, the largest MILF camp, forcing the MILF to withdraw from their defensive battle positions. Let it be noted that the AFP in 2000 overthrew not only one, two or three camps, but the AFP successfully overthrew all forty six camps of the MILF. Also, with the loss of Camp Abubakar, regarded as the center of power and authority of the MILF, the MILF was denied that permanent base which provided command and control over all its forces. This was no small feat but a major victory for the Philippine Government and a glorious moment for the AFP.
When Former President Joseph Estrada hoisted the Philippine flag in Camp Abubakar, this was one of the proudest moments in history for the officers and gentlemen of the military who fought valiantly to redeem the honor of the armed forces and who fought bravely for the sovereignty of the country. It was a swift and successful effort showing effective leadership and unit integrity from the Commander in Chief down to the soldiers on the ground. By saying that the All Out War of 2000 was merely symbolic, General Yano has reduced the efforts of the officers who led that war  and demeaned the sacrifices and lives of the soldiers who fought and were injured or died fighting for the sovereignty of the country.

General Yano should be careful not to diminish the accomplishments of our men in uniform. If General Yano is serious about achieving victory in Mindanao this time around, it would be best for him to focus on the AFP’s  current operations instead of belittling the achievements of the military during the Estrada Administration. After all, it must be remembered that the objective here is not to trump Estrada’s achievements but to finally achieve peace in Mindanao.

Filed under: Other News

ESTRADA PAYS RESPECTS TO FAMILY OF MOTHER WHO KILLED SELF, CHILDREN DUE TO POVERTY

ESTRADA PAYS RESPECTS TO FAMILY OF MOTHER WHO KILLED SELF, CHILDREN DUE TO POVERTY

Former President Joseph Estrada today attended the wake in Magdalena, Laguna of the woman who killed herself and her three children due to extreme poverty.

According to reports, Janeth Ponce forced her three children to drink liquid toilet bowl cleaner after midnight Monday, September 8, and thereafter drank the poison herself. All four were rushed to the hospital but the three children were declared dead on arrival and Janeth herself passed away shortly afterwards.

Estrada was deeply affected by the news, saying “Hindi ito mangyayari kung tama at tapat ang pamamalakad ng pamahalaan. Siguro ito na ang pinaka masaklap na insidenteng nagpapakita at nagbibigay ng mukha sa kagutumang nararanasan ng ating mga kababayan. I have been in public office for over thirty years. Never have I seen such desperation arise out of poverty, where a mother would kill her children and herself. This is a real tragedy.”

Estrada was especially affected because his father hails from Laguna, making this family his kababayans or townmates. Estrada received calls and reports from several of his kababayans, including former Congressman Benjie Agarao.

Estrada spokesperson Margaux Salcedo added, “This is a tragedy not only for this woman’s family but for the entire country because Janeth represents the many Filipino mothers and women who are forced into such desperate acts for no reason other than poverty.”

Salcedo recalled that this is not the first time that suicide was committed in light of poverty, citing the case of a 12-year old girl who killed herself last year, attributing her suicide to poverty. “You cannot consider this an isolated case because there have already been a few other reported instances of suicide due to poverty. It is miserable and unfortunate but this is the real state of the nation today. Our government, probably because it has been so focused on survival, has obviously failed in truly providing for the poor, so those of us who have the capacity should follow former President’s Estrada’s example and just help in any way we can.”

UNITED OPPOSITION: ADMIN POSTERS SHOULD READ ‘RAMDAM ANG KAHIRAPAN’

United Opposition spokesperson Adel Tamano says the administration’s “Ramdam ang Kaunlaran” posters are the height of insensitivity and should be pulled out.

“Take down GMA’s posters that say ‘Ramdam ang Kaunlaran’,” Tamano said. “When you have mothers killing themselves and their children because of extreme poverty, these posters are the epitome of bad taste and lack of empathy. Is it not a tragedy that the money used for those useless posters could have fed this poor family? Their deaths should make this administration realize that its vaunted economic gains are not reaching the masses and that no amount of propaganda will ever be able to address our very real problems of poverty and corruption.”

Makati Congresswoman Abby Binay added, “There is a big discrepancy between what the administration says and what the masa have to say. It appears that the dole outs and subsidies that the government proclaims to be giving to the poor are not really trickling down to those who need it.”

Uno National Capital Region Secretary-General and San Juan Mayor JV Ejercito for his part said the incident shows “that is the real picture of the country’s state today, the opposite of GMA’s pronouncements that the economy is doing well.”

“Billboads with Gloria’s face proclaiming “Ramdam ang Kaunlaran ” should be replaced with Ramdam ang Kahirapan.” Ejercito quipped.

In her last State of the Nation Address (Sona) GMA promised that the continued Value Added Tax program will help the poor. “Patuloy na gagamitin ng pamahalaan ang lumalago nating yaman upang tulungan ang mga pamilyang naghihirap sa taas ng bilihin, habang nagpupundar upang sanggahan ang bayan sa mga krisis sa hinaharap.” Arroyo said at the time. But Ejercito observed, “It seems Arroyo’s idea of investing in pro-poor programs only involves making over-sized banners to convince the poor that they are not growing hungry. But what else can we expect from a habitual liar?” 

Filed under: Other News, erap, laguna, poverty

Chavit Singson appointed Deputy National Security Adviser

We’ve been getting calls to react to the appointment of Singson as Deputy National Security Adviser.

This is my official written statement:

“Considering the delicacy of our national security issues today, in light of the ongoing conflict in Mindanao, perhaps the Administration could have appointed someone with greater experience and credibility in this field. Of course, this is a presidential prerogative so we can only hope, for the sake of our national security and for the sake of resolving the peace crisis in Mindanao, that Mr. Singson will be able to deliver on the job – not only for the Administration’s purposes but for the good of the entire country.”

But the truth is that I’m terrified. I am terrified for Mindanao because of the possible out-of-the-box solutions Singson may propose and implement. I am terrified for Singson’s “enemies”, including Erap, because now Singson officially has it in his capacity to monitor everyone’s movements, and his reputation has it that he won’t keep these powers under the lid. Most of all, I am terrified for the country. We all know how desperate Arroyo is to stay in power. Singson had already gone out on a limb in 2000 to maneuver Arroyo into power in 2001, lashing out like a woman scorned at the Senate trial; now it appears this rook has been moved to ensure protection of the Queen again. This may be mere conjecture but it no longer seems farfetched to believe that Singson has been placed in this post to ensure that Plan A – charter change through forced implementation of the Memorandum of Agreement – still somehow pushes through.

Democracy, watch out.

Filed under: Other News, charter change, chavit singson, erap, joseph estrada, national security

ALEJANDRO LICHAUCO APPLAUDS ERAP’S STAND OF INDEPENDENCE FROM US INTERVENTION IN MINDANAO

Erap puts to shame political military leaders on RP dismemberment

By Alejandro Lichauco

ANALYSIS

09/04/2008

The real problem in Mindanao isn’t the MILF. The real problem is the US interventionism there and its involvement in a project obviously designed to dismember the national territory. That is the problem which no one — repeat, no one — in the political and military establishment has dared to bring out in the open, discuss and denounce. That in spite of the fact that US involvement in project dismemberment has been widely exposed by media as well as by the report of the United States Institute of Peace (USIP), a quasi-governmental agency created by US government to serve as “broker” in the peace talks between the government and the MILF.

At some point in the negotiations, however, the US government decided to intervene directly and the USIP suddenly found itself out of a job. In the words of that agency’s report, “(US) embassy officials began meeting directly with MILF leaders and believed that USIP was no longer needed as an intermediary.”

There isn’t any question that the US embassy was involved in the finalization of the agreement between the Government and the MILF, an impression reinforced and clinched by the presence of the US ambassador on the occasion of the scheduled signing in Malaysia.

When the matter blew up following the release of the USIP report and various columns in the nation’s broadsheets, the US embassy was caught with its hand in the cookie jar. The matter, of course, wouldn’t have turned out to be the scandal that it did if only the agreement hadn’t explicitly and unmistakably provided for the outright dismemberment of Mindanao and the creation of a separate Bangsamoro state.

As it turned out, the agreement wasn’t really all about promoting peace in Mindanao but in creating what would have amounted to was a US “moro” puppet state. Such a US puppet state has been known to be a long-standing dream of the US government and it had always been a dream then with much more reason it should be a dream now considering geopolitical developments in the world and in the region in particular.

At any rate, of one thing we can be sure. The open involvement and activities of the US ambassador in Mindanao affairs as well as the USIP report reinforced by the presence of the US ambassador in Malaysia for the scheduled signing of the agreement constituted more than conclusive evidence of America’s outright intervention in Philippine affairs — and, far more serious than mere intervention, in its outright complicity in a plot to dismember the republic. In any country, these developments would have automatically stirred a hurricane of rage, protest and denunciation, of the US government, particularly among the nation’s political and military leaders. It would have led to nothing less than a demand for the recall of the US ambassador. But no such thing happened. Nothing but a resounding, deafening, silence on the part of the nation’s political and military officialdom.

To compound matters, the US ambassador has openly taken issues with the official position of the Philippine government to go all out against the MILF renegades and instead openly suggested her preference that “negotiations be tried instead.” And if that wasn’t really the official position of the Philippine government, that at least was the stated position of former President Joseph Estrada, and certainly of the overwhelming body of public opinion in this country.

Estrada didn’t lose time openly slapping down the foreign power because Mindanao isn’t its business nor the business of its government. “No foreign power should interfere in our domestic problems, it is solely our own, we are the ones who will have to think of a way to resolve it and we should not be beholden to anyone.”

If Erap’s open reprimand of the foreign powers had a distinctive ring, it was because no one — repeat and repeat and repeat, no one — in the political and military officialdom had the guts to do it. Dared to openly berate the US ambassador, which no Filipino politician in living memory (except for the late Claro M. Recto) had dared to do.

And precisely because Erap was alone in doing it, he has stood out in a very special way, marking him off from just about everyone with either a claim or aspiration to lead this nation and be leader of the Filipino people.

In the context of a political and military reality distinguished by the mortal fear and servility with which the political and military officialdom approach the US embassy Erap’s open castigation of the foreign power elevates him as the only Filipino political figure deserving of the presidency. He may have his flaws and these are many but in one stroke he has redeemed himself from all those flaws. This piece hazards to say that Mindanao and Erap’s response to the US ambassador’s naked interventionism virtually assure him — and him alone — of the opening to succeed GMA, either through elections or outright coup.

And if through a coup, who else will the military install?

Filed under: Other News, erap, joseph estrada, MILF, mindanao, mindanao ancestral domain MOA, united states

RE AFP MODERNIZATION FUND

Erap: FVR borrowed ‘modernization’ fund
Postscript By Federico D. Pascual Jr.
Thursday, September 4, 2008

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MODERN?: From Polk Street, comes now former President Joseph “Erap” Estrada debunking a claim of former President Fidel V. Ramos in Postscript that he left with Mr. Estrada (his successor) P5.484 billion for the “modernization” of the armed forces.

Mr. Estrada said Mr. Ramos did not use the trust fund from the sale of Fort Bonifacio for the armed forces — as dictated by law — but borrowed it for window-dressing his yearend financial report to minimize an expected budget deficit.

The government is now scrounging around for funds for AFP “modernization,” a euphemism for acquiring a few planes, ships, vehicles and other materiel rebuilt like new and polished to showroom quality.

The pathetic state of the armed forces has been brought to the fore by the campaign against better equipped and highly motivated ground fighters of the secessionist Moro Islamic Liberation Front in Mindanao.

As if to stress the obvious, one of two overworked C-130 Hercules transport planes of the air force plunged into the Davao Gulf last Aug. 26, killing its two pilots and a crew of seven. There are three other C-130’s, but they are under repair.

* *      *

MISSING FUNDS: Many people remember that the Ramos administration netted close to P8 billion from the sale of Fort Bonifacio in 1995 to Fort Bonifacio Development Corp., the buyers’ group organized by Metro Pacific.

Under RA 7898, the proceeds must go to a Trust Fund for the AFP. But until now, nobody seems to know what happened to the P8 billion, or who should go to jail for misappropriating it.

At P34,000 per square meter, the 240-hectare prime property should gross P81.6 billion. But only about P30,359,605,589 has been admitted by Mr. Ramos as having been collected and P5.484 billion supposedly left by him to his successor.

If Malacañang or the Commission on Audit is not interested in getting to the bottom of the mess, maybe a Senate committee should flush out the facts and figures.

* *      *

REACTION: Mr. Estrada would not take lying down any attempt to make him the fall guy.

Reacting to our last Postscript (Aug. 28) wherein Ramos was quoted as saying he left P5.484 billion with Mr. Estrada, the latter e-mailed us this recollection of former Budget Secretary Ben Diokno:

1. The P5.484 billion for the AFPMF from the sale of Fort Bonifacio was placed by the Bureau of Treasury in a Special Account in the General Fund. The law says that the share for AFPMF should be placed in a Trust Account.

2. The difference between the two modes is important. The first mode — Special Account — allows the Executive Department to use the money to finance any item in the budget. The Ramos administration used the proceeds to finance the national budget. Operationally, the Ramos administration “borrowed” money from the Special Account to finance government operations or finance the deficit rather than float treasury bills. Effectively, the fund in the Special Account was depleted. On paper, however, the P5.5-billion appears to be intact. But should the AFP need the money to implement its modernization program, the Treasury has to refinance what was “borrowed” — either by getting money from revenues collected or by floating T-bills. The second mode restricts the use of the fund for the modernization of the AFP. Interest on the money deposited in the Trust Account will form part of the Account.

3. On April 30, 1998, the AFP advised the Office of the President of its readiness to manage the AFPMF trust fund. It is in the interest of the military establishment to have the trust fund under its control. First, it assures them that the money for AFP modernization is intact and available. Second, interests of the trust fund form part of the fund; the fund will continue to grow even if the modernization program is delayed. DBM and other fiscal authorities have other motives. By not releasing P5.5-billion to AFP, the Ramos administration was able to window-dress the deficit — reducing the budget deficit by P5.5 billion.

4. The Estrada administration had to postpone the release of the modernization fund to AFP for two reasons. First, when Estrada assumed office, the Philippine economy was in the midst of the Asian financial crisis. There was a need to jump-start the slowing economy by creating more jobs and increasing economic activities in urban centers and rural areas. Studies show that the contribution of defense spending to economic growth and development is, at best, neutral and, at worst, negative. Second, the AFP leadership at that time had yet to decide on the size, specific content, and financial requirements of the modernization program. As I recall, and this personal recollection could be supported by minutes of proceedings of committee hearings in the House and the Senate, the major divisions of the military establishment (GHQ, Army, Navy, Air Force) at the time had yet to decide how the Modernization Fund would be allocated and prioritized.

5. But on May 29, 2000, DBM issued the Special Allotment Release Order (SARO) to the AFP in the amount of P5.484 billion. And with subsequent releases, we backed up the SARO with several NCAs based on specific proposals and progress in the utilization of the Fund.

Bottom line: Mr. Ramos “borrowed” money from the proceeds of the sale of the Bonifacio property earmarked for AFP modernization to finance his other projects. Mr. Estrada restored the money that Mr. Ramos “borrowed” from the modernization fund, and released the P5.484 billion fund in full on May 20, 2000.

Filed under: Other News, afp modernization fund, erap, federico pascual

GMA IN FORBES MAGAZINE’S LIST OF MOST POWERFUL WOMEN IN THE WORLD: HONOR OR HORROR?

RE GMA’S BEING NAMED BY FORBES MAGAZINE IN ITS LIST OF
100 Most Powerful Women in the World.

Arroyo was named in the list of Most Powerful Women in Politics and given the following description:

“Arroyo, 58, is now fighting to hold on to her job as the opposition party seeks to file impeachment charges against her over a series of scandals, and her attempts to fix Manila’s weak finances are falling apart, causing frustrated technocrats to bolt from her government. After donning the mantle of president in 2001, Arroyo tried to work diligently on her governing platform, which includes the eradication of poverty, which helped her win re-election in 2004. Nevertheless, despite a growing economy (in 2004, the Philippines economy grew an estimated 6.1%, up from 4.7% in 2003), Arroyo’s stewardship has been burdened by a Muslim insurgency and the Philippines’ designation as the second most corrupt country in Asia, according to a survey of businessmen conducted by the Hong Kong-based Political and Economic Risk Consultancy. Arroyo, a former classmate of Bill Clinton’s at Georgetown University and a onetime economics professor, is currently under investigation by lawmakers into allegations she cheated to win last year’s election; to date Arroyo has declined to testify before her government’s Congress.”

Forbes Magazine is a highly prestigious and reputable magazine. It would have been an honor for the country for its president to have been named among the world’s most powerful political leaders if the power represented was one that stood for integrity, justice, progress and truth. When former President Aquino made the cover of Time Magazine two decades ago, she stood for democracy and we were regarded with respect by the international community. Today, however, Arroyo is described in Forbes Magazine as the most powerful woman in the second most corrupt country in Asia. This is what Arroyo stands for today in the eyes of the international community and is more telling of the dangers than of the dignity of her office.

Filed under: Other News, arroyo, forbes magazine, list of most powerful women

ERAP: PHILIPPINES CANNOT PROGRESS WITH CONTINUED ACTIVITIES OF INSURGENTS AND TERRORISTS

Former President Joseph Estrada, in a speech before the directors and members of the business group Philippines Inc. at noon today at the Tower Club in Makati City denounced the government policy of not only harboring the MILF in Mindanao but of conceding to their demands to the point of the country’s dismemberment. “No growth, no development, no investments, no sustained business activities and no significant economic opportunities and productivity can happen under conditions of continuing violence and armed conflict.” Estrada explained that the reason why he pursued an all our war against the MILF during his presidency was because “it was clear that I was dealing with a group that was not seeking peace but power, an entity that was not only seeking autonomy but sovereignty.” He stressed, “I was after the achievement of a true and lasting peace, not the illusion of it.” He clarified, however, that the end goal of the all-out war was still peace in Mindanao, stating, “I believe in peace but not at the expense of our territorial integrity. I believe in negotiations but this must be from a position of strength, not of weakness.” He laments that the administration that succeeded him allowed the return of the MILF camps in Mindanao when his administration had already overrun 46 MILF camps, with MILF leaders fleeing to Malaysia. He also noted that worse than allowing the MILF to return, now the government is giving them territorial jurisdiction and ceding, without consultation, even more territories to the MILF under the guise of recognition of the ancestral domain of the Bangsamoro people. Estrada said, “This is treachery and treason under the illusion of achieving peace.”

Filed under: Other News, all-out war, erap, MILF, mindanao, philippines inc.

ERAP: END NEGOTIATIONS, PURSUE ALL OUT WAR

Former President Joseph Estrada today called on the government to end all talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front at a gathering of leaders of the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino in San Juan today. The former president expressed concern over the recent attacks in the provinces of North Cotabato, Lanao del Norte and Sarangani in Mindanao. Estrada also decried the killing of innocent civilians and the dislocation of communities in the said areas. The former president noted that they had already expelled the MILF during his presidency when his administration overran 46 camps of the MILF in an all out war against the secessionist group but the present administration allowed the MILF to return in 2001. Estrada said that to have entered into negotiations with the MILF again was a mistake of the current government and to have offered the Bangsamoro Juridical Entity as a concession for peace is tantamount to treason, an unforgivable act for a president, adding, “The primary duty of the president and commander in chief is to protect the territorial integrity of the nation at all costs under one flag, one armed forces, one commander-in-chief and one government.” Estrada believes that the solution to the ongoing crisis in Mindanao is to stop giving concessions and to stop talks with the MILF,” explaining in an ambush interview, “The MILF is taking the government for a ride. Given the record of the MILF as a secessionist group engaged in terrorism, engaged in so-called negotiations and talks with the government for over thirty years while continuing their attacks, the government should now know better than to entertain their demands. They should negotiate from a position of strength, not of weakness.”

Filed under: Other News, bangsamoro, erap, MILF, mindanao

ERAP: END NEGOTIATIONS, PURSUE ALL OUT WAR

Former President Joseph Estrada today called on the government to end all talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front at a gathering of leaders of the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino in San Juan today. The former president expressed concern over the recent attacks in the provinces of North Cotabato, Lanao del Norte and Sarangani in Mindanao. Estrada also decried the killing of innocent civilians and the dislocation of communities in the said areas. The former president noted that they had already expelled the MILF during his presidency when his administration overran 46 camps of the MILF in an all out war against the secessionist group but the present administration allowed the MILF to return in 2001. Estrada said that to have entered into negotiations with the MILF again was a mistake of the current government and to have offered the Bangsamoro Juridical Entity as a concession for peace is tantamount to treason, an unforgivable act for a president, adding, “The primary duty of the president and commander in chief is to protect the territorial integrity of the nation at all costs under one flag, one armed forces, one commander-in-chief and one government.” Estrada believes that the solution to the ongoing crisis in Mindanao is to stop giving concessions and to stop talks with the MILF,” explaining in an ambush interview, “The MILF is taking the government for a ride. Given the record of the MILF as a secessionist group engaged in terrorism, engaged in so-called negotiations and talks with the government for over thirty years while continuing their attacks, the government should now know better than to entertain their demands. They should negotiate from a position of strength, not of weakness.”

Filed under: Other News, bangsamoro, erap, milf moa, milf peace agreement, mindanao

GMA’S FLIP FLOPPING ON THE ISSUE OF CHARTER CHANGE

The GMA7 NEWS TEAM tracks the history of Gloria Arroyo on Charter Change :

Senator Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo: Anti-Cha-cha

(Photo courtesy of Archdiocesan Office of Communications / Noli I. Yamsuan)

Then Senator Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is shown in this photo of anti-Charter Change rally in 1997 with Jaime Cardinal Sin, former President Corazon Aquino, and then Vice President Joseph Estrada, among others. They were opposing the charter change moves by supporters of then President Fidel Ramos.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo: From anti-to-pro cha-cha; from con-con to con-ass

Dec. 7, 2001	“Going to a constitutional debate is really only going to distract us from what we need to do to survive and meet the challenges of the global uncertainty.” (Gov.ph)
May 3, 2002	She cited certain prerequisites to constitutional changes: On federalism: the issue of economic viability and the preparedness of a component state should first be tackled On the proposed shift to the parliamentary system: there must be meaningful political reforms that would include a law on political parties, rehabilitation of societal organizations and mass movements, and the cleaning of the country’s electoral processes. (Gov.ph)
May 6, 2002	Although she was against any charter change at this stage, she would allow a debate on the issue, according to a Gov.ph news release.
Jan. 16, 2003	“Considering the divisiveness in our country, this issue is bringing about even more divisiveness. Perhaps the constitutional convention will be the least divisive way of bringing about fundamental changes in the political system.” (Gov.ph)
May 5, 2003	Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye said “the President remains neutral” on proposals to amend the Charter and is bent on giving her focus on “other more pressing issues.” (Gov.ph)
Oct. 6, 2003	To hasten economic development and strengthen the Republic, Mrs. Macapagal-Arroyo said that “kailangan … na palitan ang ating sistema at kung kailangan palitan maging ang ating konstitusyon.” (Gov.ph)
Jul. 6, 2004	“Charter reform is our strategic hope for change.” (Gov.ph)
Jul. 25, 2005	“The system clearly needs fundamental change, and the sooner the better. It’s time to start the great debate on Charter Change. “The mode of Charter Change is the exclusive prerogative of Congress. But a constituent assembly may well give our people the quickest reforms.” (SONA 2005)
Aug. 19, 2005	Arroyo signed Executive Order No. 453, “creating a consultative commission to propose the revision of the 1987 Constitution in consultation with various sectors of society.” Executive Order No. 453-A, signed October 24, increased the number of members of this commission.
Jan. 23, 2006	Arroyo signed Executive Order 495 that created a charter change advocacy commission.
Oct 26, 2006	Arroyo issued  this statement a day after the Supreme Court junked the people’s initiative petition of Sigaw ng Bayan:”We bow to the rule of democracy and the rule of law; and call upon the people, especially the strong and committed supporters of the people’s initiative, to join hands in supporting the close decision of the High Court. This is democracy in action and we must uphold it.”
Aug 11, 2008	“We advocate Federalism as a way to ensure long lasting peace in Mindanao.” – Speech during a state luncheon in Honor of the visiting Swiss president.A day later, Press Secretary Jesus Dureza announced the President’s support for a Senate resolution calling for a constituent assembly to revise the Constitution and adopt federalism.

SOURCE: GMANEWS.TV who cited: Official Government Portal of the Republic of the Philippines, GMA News, Philippine Headline News Online)

Filed under: Other News, arroyo, cha-cha, charter change, gma