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By Cris G. Odronia, Reporter
Politicians and protesters opposing Charter change, or
“Cha-Cha,” through a Constituent Assembly, or “Con-Ass” on
Wednesday demanded that the government stop its efforts to amend the
1987 Constitution.
Thousands of demonstrators gathered at the
central business district of Makati City to denounce Con-Ass, which
they claimed was a move to prolong the term of President Gloria
Arroyo beyond 2010.
Police said the protest was attended by 5,000
people but protest organizers said they were able to mobilize 15,000
to 20,000.
The mass action was organized by a broad
coalition of political parties, people’s organizations and
civil-society groups a few days after the House of Representatives
approved House Resolution 1109 authored by House Speaker Prospero
Nograles. The resolution called for constitutional amendments
through Con-Ass.
The resolution was passed despite strong
objections from the Senate, sparking fears that Congress, which is
dominated by the allies of President Arroyo, would push through with
changing the Constitution.
Former presidents Corazon Aquino and Joseph
“Erap” Estrada were not able to attend the protest but their
messages of support were read during the demonstration, which the
opposition said was a prelude to other mass actions to condemn any
moves to change the Charter.
Aquino, who is battling colon cancer, in her
message called on Filipinos to protest the railroading of the
Con-Ass resolution.
As for Estrada, his son and Mayor Joseph Victor
Ejercito of San Juan City (Metro Manila) said his father has sent
his apologies to the protest organizers for his absence. Erap was in
Kuwait to speak before overseas Filipino workers there.
During the protest, United Opposition (UNO)
president and Mayor Jejomar Binay of Makati City decided not to
speak in deference to an appeal made by the Catholic Bishops’
Conference of the Philippines (CBCP). Apparently, the bishops had
told the mayor not to turn the mass action as a venue for announcing
his candidacy for president in the 2010 elections.
Earlier, CBCP president Archbishop Angel
Lagdameo appealed to presidential aspirants and other politicians
who would attend the rally to avoid taking the stage and giving
speeches, saying that their presence was enough to show their
protest against Cha-cha.
Among the politicians who joined the rally were
Ejercito; Senators Rodolfo Biazon, Pia Cayetano, Panfilo Lacson,
Loren Legarda, Francis Escudero and Benigno Aquino 3rd; and lawyer
Adel Tamano, a former UNO spokesman and now a member of Sen. Manuel
Villar’s Nacionalista Party.
Other high-profile personalities present at the
demonstration were former Senate President Franklin Drilon; former
House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr., together with his wife Gina de
Venecia; the embattled whistleblower Rodolfo “Jun” Lozada; Rep.
Liza Maza of Gabriela party-list; and Gov. Ed Panlilio of Pampanga.
Sen. Manuel Roxas 2nd, who was criticized for
lashing out at the Arroyo administration with invectives during the
last year’s big protest also against Charter change, was also
present.
“Changes in the Constitution are all designed
to lengthen or prolong the term of Gloria Arroyo, which ends in June
of 2010,” he said.
Police on Tuesday went on heightened alert for
the protest. Also, the Philippine National Police said that 15,000
police personnel went on standby to maintain order. Senior Supt.
Cedric Train, Makati police chief, said the protest was peaceful.
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