From ABS-CBN News 3 June 2009:
Watch out
ParaƱaque Rep. Roilo Golez, meanwhile, said there is a big possibility that the four assurances or items "pledged" by the supporters of HR 1109 may be discarded once the con-ass is convened.
One of the four is the assurance that the proposed amendments to the Constitution will not include the extension of terms of office of incumbent elective officials, including that of the President and the Vice-President.
The con-ass resolution, which was signed by 171 congressmen, cites: "Whereas, the advocates of charter changes including critics thereof stipulated that whatever charger changes are proposed and or approved should not extend the term of office of the incumbent President and Vice-President and that whatever governmental system or systems shall be proposed and adopted, future elections shall be synchronized, and the terms of office of incumbent elective officials in the process of synchronization shall not be shortened or extended."
Golez said that during Tuesday's debates, he asked La Union Rep. Victor Ortega, one of the sponsors of the bill, for an assurance on these items, and he received an "I'm not sure" answer.
He said Ortega's exact response to his question was: "I cannot promise anything. Anything can happen."
Golez said several groups that have been watching the efforts of the administration to change the Constitution at the House should now be more watchful of administration congressmen.
He said the House's passage of the resolution may be a desperate attempt by the administration to postpone the 2010 elections.
The congressman alleged that the House majority has become used to lying, citing previous assurances that the con-ass resolution will be debated upon at the committee level first before it is brought to the plenary for voting, which never happened.
He said a member of the House majority can just move for the postponement of the elections during the con-ass, which may also easily pass considering the "numerical" muscle of the administration in the lower chamber.
Meanwhile, members of Kaya Natin! Movement said in a statement that the passage of HR 1109 is "a blatant attempt by the present administration to postpone the elections in 2010."
The group, which was formed in search for good governance in the country, said the House majority's move will create further disunity in the country.
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