Speak no evil

PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is all set to deliver her State of the Nation Address on July 27.
Speaker Jose de Venecia, Jr. alleges that the Chief Executive will use this opportunity “to convene a constituent assembly and introduce amendments to the Constitution,” says Philstar.com.
Senators Francis Pangilinan, Panfilo Lacson, Aquilino Pimentel Jr., and Mar Roxas have already expressed their intentions to boycott this year’s SONA, despite assurances from Speaker Prospero Nograles that “there is no factual and/or legal basis for this unnecessary warning from the former Speaker.”
“The former Speaker should not unduly alarm and agitate the public about outrageous scenarios for convening a constituent assembly which we do not believe is within the contemplation of the present House leadership and certainly not in the Palace agenda,” aired Presidential Adviser for Political Affairs Gabriel Claudio over Speaker de Venecia’s allegations.
Meanwhile, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile warned that he would adjourn the session if any representative makes a move to convene a constituent assembly after the President has delivered her address.
It’s a raging battle between the Senate and the House of Representatives at this point.
And who could blame the senators for their paranoia? With House Resolution 1109 envisioning a joint vote on the amendments among the two legislative chambers, the 265 members of the lower house would easily outlook the 24 members of the Senate.
Whatever the outcome of Pres. Arroyo’s SONA may be, one thing is certain – the Senate vs. Congress factionalism is causing so much conflict and political unrest among our government leaders. Even before Pres. Arroyo could deliver her speech, it’s already crystalclear what the state of our nation has become. (AJPress)
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( Published on July 22, 2009 in Asian Journal Los Angeles p. A6 )