Sunday, October 29, 2006

Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire

The People's Initiative, as proposed by Singaw ng Bayad, is dead. Rumors are flying fast and furiously about its resurrection, maybe in December, when a new CJ and SC appointee get to warm their derrieres on those plush armchairs.

Not to be outdone, the majority in the House, led by the diminutive Joe De Vee, has loudly vowed to railroad a Constituent Assembly through it, never mind the Senate.

As our co-convenor, Edwin Lacierda, declared by text, "Oh, what a tangled web they weave!". You betcha - a tangled web of lies and double speak. At last night's MOPC party, JDV moaned and groaned about the petition's defeat, making sure the media heard him, just in case his true boss, Gloria, was listening while in China. Hmmm, he's probably lost his leadership, so watch for Pichay, the vegetative Rep from Surigao, to traipsy in to save the day.

Want more lies and deceit? All you have to do is visit Singaw's site, it's rife with 'em. ULAP is pretty much right up there with the best of benders of truth, check out this article, http://www.mb.com.ph/MAIN2006102978353.html

Not to be outdone, check out the DOJ's most eminent prevaricator and rumormongerer. Raul should give lessons. He's a master. There is no need to provide links in this regard, just read any of his quotes.

Gird your loins, my friends, we are about to be avalanched by another plethora of non-truths, half-truths, and gossip. The Congress' lie fest is set to reach a new high next week.

Till then, have a great Halloween, and celebrate your departed with the remembrance they deserve.

Thursday, October 26, 2006

RESTRAINED JOY

The most anticipated Supreme Court vote in years was too close to call. As we stated earlier, it was in God’s hands. In the end, the vote was 8-7 against PIG (People’s Initiative of Gloria). Although a narrow victory, the Court’s erudite decision reinforces our belief in the independence of the judiciary as an institution that can withstand pressure exerted by the two other branches of government.

The Black & White Movement lauds the Supreme Court for strengthening our faith in the rule of law by junking Sigaw ng Bayan’s petition regarding a People’s Initiative. The majority opinion confirmed our longstanding charge that the Lambino petition is a bogus people's initiative of which the people were never apprised.

Enteng Romano, B&W lead convenor was elated, saying, “We commend the Court for this momentous decision, most especially the women Justices of the Supreme Court, whose dedication to the preservation of the Court’s independence of thought and judgment led the way to agree on an informed and rightful ruling.”

B&W convenor, Atty. Edwin Lacierda says, “The people were never made to read the proposed changes to the 1987 Constitution when asked to sign the petition. The Court was right, this endeavor was never a people's initiative from the get go.”

But the war is far from won, much work is left to be done. This renewed confidence in the third bastion of government should be viewed with restrained joy, as the decision was far from unanimous.

“We should view this as a tactical victory that allows the democratic forces some breathing space to press on”, says Chito Gascon, B&W co-convenor and Managing Trustee of the National Institute of Policy Studies (NIPS). “We must keep vigilant and remember that the enemies of democracy will stop at nothing to get what they want. Even now, they plot – as long as GMA remains, our freedoms and institutions are at risk”, he cautions.

In closing, as a reminder to those who wish to continue this weird push to Cha-Cha via a Constituent Assembly, our next arena of opposition, the Black & White Movement hopes our solons heed the concluding words of Justice Antonio Carpio:

“The Constitution, as the fundamental law of the land, deserves the utmost respect and obedience of all the citizens of this nation. No one can trivialize the Constitution by cavalierly amending or revising it in blatant violation of the clearly specified modes of amendment and revision laid down in the Constitution itself.

To allow such change in the fundamental law is to set adrift the Constitution in unchartered waters, to be tossed and turned by every dominant political group of the day. If this Court allows today a cavalier change in the Constitution outside the constitutionally prescribed modes, tomorrow the new dominant political group that comes will demand its own set of changes in the same cavalier and unconstitutional fashion. A revolving-door constitution does not augur well for the rule of law in this country.”

Wednesday, October 25, 2006

In God's Hands

The decision on the bogus People’s Initiative will finally be deliberated by the Supreme Court today. The future of our country is now in the hands of 15 Justices.

This forthcoming decision from the Justices is being viewed very closely by all sides. Today, the nation waits with bated breath, relying on the collective wisdom of the Supreme Court to do the right thing. Prior to today, at no other point in our nation's recent history has a decision by the Supreme Court been so ardently expected by the people.

Various sectors have weighed in on the issue, such as the Association of Concerned Teachers. It has seen through the alleged deception and is against participation in a Plebiscite should the Initiative pass the Court’s muster. A recent survey shows that swaths of people from across social classes view with reluctance the independence of the Supreme Court as the last bastion of democracy to preserve the constitutional principle of checks and balances. It is clear that people are suspicious about recent news on lobbying efforts by pro Cha-Cha forces, and cannot discount the declarations of Chief Justice regarding pressure. One only has to read the newspapers and notice the recent plethora of articles and ads sponsored by petitioner Sigaw ng Bayan.

The Black & White Movement has always maintained that this initiative is the engine of a Cha-Cha train seemingly piloted by Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, while the caboose is her version of Charter Change as championed by Rep. Pichay. The route of this railroad ends with her perpetual protection from accountability.

But the decision to derail this railroading is out of our hands. All we can do is reaffirm our faith in the justice system and express our unequivocal trust that the Supreme Court will be true to their calling: to uphold the rule of law and defend our democracy against those who wish to pervert it for their personal, evil ends.

We continue to believe that the present Supreme Court will arrive at the right decision because they are mindful not only of their rightful legacy in our nation's history but because their primary obligation is to see that justice be done though the heavens fall, pressures notwithstanding.

It’s in God’s hands now, and we pray that the Court be blessed with discernment, clarity of thought, and the courage to do the right thing at this critical point in our nation’s history.