angelic moo

Speaker Jose de Venecia's call for a "moral revolution" is incredible. His name is one I never imagined could be written next to the word "moral." JdV conspired with Arroyo's allies to keep her in power despite every indication that she rigged the 2004 presidential elections. He stood on the floor of the House of Representatives and urged his colleagues to stave off any attempt to impeach the President because she is still the best person to lead the country. De Venecia attempted to deceive the Supreme Court by claiming that there was a clamor for constitutional change despite all evidence to the contrary. He would rewrite an entire Constitution to fit his personal agenda. He is the poster child for the "trapo" -- the traditional politicians who have mismanaged the country since western-style government was introduced in the Philippines. These are officials who use public office for personal gain. This change in the Speaker's personality is an...

Speaker de Venecia's hasty retreat in pursuing constitutional change through a constituent assembly is proof that Filipinos have an appreciation of constitutionalism. The threat of another mass uprising against the Speaker's project apparently forced the administration to reconsider its actions. Persistent manifestations of "people power" in the recent past have led critics, mostly from the West, to claim that we have not yet matured politically. I have argued elsewhere that these uprisings are ways in which people enforce the principles that are enshrined in our Constitution. Massing forces to challenge the Speaker's actions in the House of Representatives shows that Filipinos in fact want to defend their Constitution. Contrary to the critics' stand, Filipinos will not settle every dispute through popular uprisings, but are in fact guided by a respect for the fundamental law of the land.