Rarely have I encountered journalists writing about the numbers concerned when they’re discussing House Resolution No. 1109. Here are the real numbers.
If approved by the Supreme Court as constitutional, HR 1109 will allow the formation of a constituent assembly (Con-ass) that can amend the provisions of the Constitution without the necessity of having the voting public approve these changes. The Con-ass will be made up of 248 members of the House of Representatives and 23 senators, who will be carrying one vote each. Naturally, a big majority of senators oppose the House resolution.
In the House of Representatives, Lakas party members number 92 while the Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (Kampi) party counts on the support of 49 members. Some weeks ago, these two parties merged into one formidable party. With a total of 141 lawmakers in the House, the combined party will account for 58.6 percent of its total membership and will form a solid majority (52 percent) of the planned Con-ass.
All the 141 members of the House pledge allegiance to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and ostensibly back her bid to amend the Constitution so that the current presidential form of government will be changed to a parliamentary system, under which she could extend her rule as prime minister. When that happens we shall have in the Philippines not a democracy but an elective dictatorship! There is only one “elective” dictator in the global political landscape. His name is Hugo Rafael Chavez Frias, current president of Venezuela who is running for reelection.
Worse, the actual number of representatives who voted for HR 1109 exceeded 141 votes. The number of congressmen who voted for the resolution reached a stunning 178! Obviously, 37 lawmakers outside the Lakas-Kampi loop allied themselves with the majority. Some were turncoats from other small parties belonging to the opposition, but at least four party-list congressmen voted for the resolution.
No wonder the massive crowds at the June 10 rally in Makati were indignant! No wonder protesting groups will continue these rallies countrywide with increasing force until the President delivers her State of the Nation Address this July.
