Do you welcome developments in the House of Representatives that point to Charter change?

C. Gaspar, Laoag City: These solons are opportunists and greedy for power just like their lady boss. They are co-terminus with her reign and must exit without the use of force.

Dave Velasco, Marinduque: Yes, let a thousand flowers bloom so that the House could brainstorm the issues of today for tomorrow’s development. Let’s not block it!

Strengthen the economy

Don Hernandez, Las Piñas City: Our Constitution needs an urgent tune-up in the form of relevant economic provisions that will make our country more competitive in world commerce. As long a s they don’t fiddle around with term extensions for PGMA and themselves, I’m with the congressmen on this one.

Leandro Tolentino, Batangas City: Yes, and it could be the best thing that could happen to this country, which is notorious for its crab politicians, in this time of global economic crisis.

Manny Cordeta, Marikina City: Yes, why not? Lawmakers and others concerned, should this political exercise be pursued, must center their debates and eventually agree among themselves on what form of government is best suited for us Filipinos, either parliamentary or federal, if the existing one needs replacement. As an alternative, it could be submitted before the citizenry via a referendum or a plebiscite. Cha-cha could be the answer to our economic woes. All it takes is for the concerned to buckle down to work before time runs out, without any unwanted political hue. My plea to the paranoid and negativists: Please give it a chance.

Ferdinand Rafer, Manila: A welcome development; break those economic restrictions in the Constitution. While giant economies are down, ours should be strengthened to be competitive.

There should be no hidden agenda

Gerry de Cano, Muntinlupa City: If it is just and favorable towards growth of the nation, it is welcome, but if it’s just for the personal benefit of the incumbents, never mind.

Leonard Villa, Bata City: I welcome it with an open mind as long as the would-be Charter changes are not laced with personal interest. Obsolete Constitutional provisions should be amended to suit the present and future situation of our country.

Delfin Todcor, Mt. Province: Yes, only if the proponents have no selfish hidden agenda and changes emanate from their patriotism in changing some flawed provisions of our Constitution.

Lydia Reyes, Bataan: I don’t; I doubt their motives for a Cha-cha, parang mga vested self-interests lang.  

No need to revise the Charter

Joana Rizza Bagano, Benguet: If these recent developments call for solutions to our present state, I would not give it a second thought.

Josh Pacatang, Dipolog City: Yes, of course. All changes that matter to me at this time in our history require not only ordinary amendments, but the revision and overhaul of the Constitution. This must be done before 2010 to be ratified together with the elections.

Dino Monzon, Caloocan City: I definitely do. It’s high time the Philippine changes with the times and adapts to foster growth, just as America amends its own Constitution as necessary.

A move to perpetuate themselves in power

June Deoferio, Cavite: No, because it will extend the term of PGMA beyond 2010. That will make us the most corrupt and poorest nation.

Ricardo Tolentino, Laoag City: Only sitting politicians welcome Cha-cha move for they will be the main beneficiaries of term extension, which is the main agenda of Charter change.

C.B. Manalastas, Manila: No to Cha-cha since the aim is for the extension of terms for congressmen.

L.C. Fiel, Quezon City: My suspicious nature gets the better of me when it comes to the motives of the members of the House of Plunder, err, Representatives pala.

Rey Onate, Palayan City: I don’t. Those congressmen are not motivated by any patriotic intentions. They are driven by their selfish desires to safeguard their own “bright future”. Tinkering with our Charter is their present opportunity to covertly put some measures that will safeguard the totem pole of their interests. Nakakasuka!

Rose Leobrera, Manila: It’s their tactic to stay long in office, like their Ma’am. However, many of those in favor of Cha-cha are those from the administration. Their reason is personal; it’s the mucho dinero. Nakakaumay na kayo, you’re just an added burden to the already suffering Juan dela Cruz. Instead of unending debates on what is good for you, do something good for others, for the country. Our taxes go to waste talaga. While we work hard for the money and feast on noodles and tuyo, you “respectable” gentlemen just sit and relax, pretending to work while eating in fine dining restaurants. Why don’t you serve your constituents properly so when the end comes (all of us naman will go) and the Filipino flag will be laid on your coffin, it will not be a waste.

Edwin Castillo, Tanauan City: Will Cha-cha at this time assure us that there will be no term extension of all elected officials and that the 2010 polls will push through?

Change the leaders, not the Charter

Fortunato Aguirre, Bulacan: Yes, let us change not the Charter, but our leaders, for most of them are corrupt, inutile and useless wind bags, puro bunganga at hanggang porma lang.

William Gonzaga, Marikina City: The dishonorable congressmen deserve to be hurled to the deepest pits for being hopeless slaves of greed and obsession. They want to perpetuate themselves in power purportedly for reform in government, whereas what these solons really need is character change for being partners in making us Asia’s most corrupt.

Cris Rivera, Rizal: No, the government’s poor performance and our leaders’ loss of their sense of morality are to be blamed for our woes, not the Charter. A change of leaders is what we need, today.

Renato Taylan, Ilocos Norte: A moral and spiritual reformation of our legislators in the House is what Filipinos need to welcome more than this development towards Charter change.

Richard Decena, Quezon City: Hindi po Charter change ang kasagutan, hindi pa po yata ipinanganganak ang mga karapat-dapat na mamumuno ng ating bansa.

Enough of the Arroyo administration

R. Santos, Isabela: The MOA-AD exploded on their faces, and now they want Cha-cha? If the Speaker is wise, he’d stop it. Enough of the Arroyos; we need overhauling!

Sahlee Reyes, Las Piñas City: I don’t and never will. I am utterly dismayed at the sudden turn of events. PGMA has time and again denied in the past any possible resumption of Charter change and the Filipino people believe her, despite her notoriety in recanting her statements. Obviously, she now wants to prolong her stay in power indefinitely, as prime minister. Only a fool wouldn’t think so. Our country will never be able to move forward with her at the helm. Lust for power and wealth has seemingly devoured her body and soul. Where is her sense of integrity? PGMA has proven her worth as President. She should now give way to more deserving presidentiables. We respected her firm decision to stay until 2010, and we expect her to respect us in return by being true to her word. I am still optimistic that God will intervene. Deo juvante, black can turn to white in a snap. Miracles happen, you know.

I.Q. Calata, Parañaque City: I welcome developments that will do away with the defects of the present Charter. What I’m afraid of is that it may become a vehicle to allow the present leadership to stay longer or run for another term. I have been more of pro-administration, but at this point I politely say, “Enough!”

No to term extension

Ella Arenas, Pangasinan: No, because that would mean discussing the never-ending issue of the extension of the President’s term. It’s obvious in Dureza’s controversial prayer.

Col. Ben Paguirigan Jr., Ret., Zamboanga City: No, as they have another objective. The situation is being manipulated by Malacañang to extend the term of PGMA, who seems to be deft at manipulating our very corrupt situation. Didn’t you hear Sec. Dureza?

After 2010 is best

Digoy Coro, Batangas: Yes, because the Charter needs amendments for the common good, but the timing is not right. Let’s do it after 2010.

Not the handiwork of GMA

Joe Nacilla, Las Piñas City: I don’t believe that the current development in the House of Representatives pointing to Charter change is the work of GMA. Rather, it is the work of ambitious administrative officials who want to hang on to their positions in order to continue fooling the people in their greed for wealth and power . These are the people giddy with liberty without responsibility, freedom without sanity, and experimentation without caution. A few days after the Senate coup, Rep. Nograles announced that 163 Congressmen already signed the Cha-cha and that he needs 15 more. It doesn’t matter whether or not the plan is connected to the coup. The point is the plan was prepared long before the Senate coup and was kept hidden. Sooner or later, we will know the names of these 163 congressmen stabbing the back of Mr. Juan Dela Cruz. They do not deserve to be our lawmakers.

Cha-cha and term extension are two different things

Felix Ramento, Manila: The call for Cha-cha and the term extension scheme are too different things. We can have the former and, in the process, kill the latter.

More political upheaval

Jim Veneracion, Naga City: GMA’s numerous lapdogs in Congress better not tempt the winds if they know what’s good for them and the country. It would be bloody short of a civil war.

Diony Yap, Bacolod City: No way to Cha-cha. It will create political upheavals over time.

Ruel Bautista, Laguna: Cha-cha, during these tumultuous times, could ignite an uncontrollable conflagration, with Congress as the trigger and starting point.

We need decentralization

Roy Gerna, Eastern Samar: No, these representatives should focus more on the development of hapless provinces. They should compel businessmen to pay correct taxes for the welfare of the individuals in each community in the country.Ian

D. Villagonzalo, Cebu City: The present form of government is too centralized and Manila-oriented. Much-needed assistance like medicines or farm-to-market roads in outlying areas would have minimal chance of being attended to, and very much at the mercy of the congressman that holds the area. If that congressman is weak or outside of the fold of the one sitting in Malacañang, the much-needed assistance will most likely not materialize. Granting that it will materialize, the number of layers of control, national, regional, the congressmen, governors, then the mayors would correspond to the chances by which the intended funds will be diverted. It would also be more difficult to trace the paper trail on the diversion that took place. With federalism, projects needed in a locality can be formulated, validated, and allocated for funding, and implemented, then monitored within a smaller federal state. So transparency in implementing these projects can be more realistically expected. For instance, people in a federal state of Central Visayas can easily detect certain mysterious activities in projects that were formulated, allocated, and implemented by people within the region. The bottom line is, with more decentralization in the dispensation of power and monitoring, there will be more transparency and, therefore, more success.

More for Constitutional amendment

Ed Alawi, Davao City: I am for Constitution amendment rather than Charter change. Flaws in the Constitution are already identified for amending.

Rodolfo Talledo, Angeles City: I’ve been wondering why senators are so parochial and paranoid when it comes to Constitutional amendments. Magpakatotoo naman sana sila.

We have had enough

­­ Col. Dennis Acop, Ret., Baguio City:  I certainly don’t and my main reason is that I agree with the pronouncements of many prominent and knowledgeable Filipinos, including the newly-installed Senate President, who already said words to the effect that Charter change at this time is untimely, especially if it is merely used to extend the life of a leader who is basically no good for the country. Think about this, fellow citizens: Why in the world should we want to extend the power over us of people who have only proven to be first and foremost for themselves? Trust me, I know. I have been in government for 27 years. My only advice to people who know not when to quit is: “Cut and cut cleanly” as, as the sayings go, “There is always a day of reckoning” and “All good (and bad) things come to pass.” “What good would it do a man to gain the whole world but lose his own soul?” and “God sees all.” God deliver this country of ours from its leaders.

Cha-cha will lead to political stability

Pedro Alagano Sr., Vigan City: Yes, Charter change will enable us to get out of the quagmire of incessant political bickering, threats of coup d’ etats and the specter of civil war.

Ryan Pahimulin, Rizal: It is most welcome; a shift to the parliamentary system through Cha-cha could be one of the best things that can happen to us.

It will take forever

Johann Lucas, Quezon City: No, if ever we go for Cha-cha, it will still be a long wait. We all know that it takes forever for the Senate to think of something really brilliant.

Romeo Caubat, Masbate: No, because it’ll just be an exercise in futility. A mere naming of a street needs the concurrence of the Senate, how much more Charter change!

C.B. Fundales, Bulacan: Yes, we shouldn’t create a monster out of it since it’s still us who would decide in a referendum the acceptance of whatever Cha-cha is drafted.

There are more pressing issues

Alexander Raquepo, Ilocos Sur: This is an unwelcome development. Our politicians, at this point, must have to focus their efforts on other more important events, such as economic recession, population explosion, graft and corruption, to name a few.

Reynaldo Agbayani, Baggao, Cagayan: A big no! Solons have more pressing issues to attend to rather than Charter change.

Marlone Ramirez, Dubai: Our solons must prioritize the country’s survival amidst the global financial crisis. Charter change can wait after PGMA turns over the presidency to a successor who has a fresh mandate from the electorate. Our country will surely be affected by the setback of the widespread recession and our leaders must prepare the entire nation to attenuate its impact on every ordinary Filipino.

Election fever is now heating up

Benjamin Nillo, Las Piñas City: I won’t welcome any move or development that would lead to Charter change because election fever is now starting to heat up and I’m getting excited.

Ho-hum

Nestor Buñag, Mandaluyong City: Forgive me for being indifferent to the Constitutional exercise. The masses are tired of all this running around, yet they must be enlightened by their having the supreme right to choose.

THINKING OUT LOUD

Vivian Ocampo, Quezon City: Why does GMA cancel suspicious deals only after irregularities are found like the ZTE and the MOA. Should she not even be questioned for trying to push the deal? 

THE WAY I SEE IT

Bob Morales, Oroquieta City: ‘JDV faces probe, ouster from Lakas’ Star headline. In this country, whistle blowers are the ones punished. JDV might become another Acsa Ramirez.

C.K. Yeo, Iloilo City: Like musicians in an orchestra, the good ones stand out when an individual is asked to do a solo. Solons were no different during Bolante’s first day of Senate hearing. Sen. Miriam once more showed her brilliance in questioning Bolante. We are lucky she was not accepted by the International Court of Justice.

Norberto Robles, Taguig: Had something like Mumbai attacks happened here, we would by now have had celebrity journalists giving face-to-face interview with terrorists to air their side a la Manila Pen.

Reynato Austria, Cabanatuan City: The inquiry on fertilizer scam will go nowhere if senators rely on COA findings alone. To determine if there is an overprice, somebody must go to court.

Views expressed in this section do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of The STAR. The STAR does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of readers exercising their right to free expression. The publication also reserves the right to edit contributions to this section as it sees fit.

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