First order of business.

(From Philippine Daily Inquirer)

Byline: Manuel L. Quezon III

THE PRESIDENT'S decision to submit to her party's desire for Charter change ignores one central question: Should the President preside over the undertaking and related efforts? Unless and until the issue on Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's continued fitness for office is resolved, constitutional changes are inevitably, and dangerously, tied to her political fate. Since public opinion has overwhelmingly spoken in favor of the impeachment process, then let that issue be resolved through the impeachment process, before Congress turns itself into a constituent assembly.

To do otherwise-to insist on an accelerated process in which Congress defines the changes to be made, without consulting the public-is to prevent a national consensus from emerging. Without a national consensus, Congress faces a danger. That danger is not in the rejection of Charter changes in a referendum. (After all, one thing is certain: the amendments that Congress will come up with will have to be ratified in a plebiscite, in which public participation has been historically low, and in which the machinery of the ruling party has a tremendous advantage in getting out a "yes" vote.) The danger lies in a widespread public disappointment and suspicion that might greet whatever constitutional order emerges.

However, if the question of the President's fitness for office is resolved; if an advisory commission is put together and consults all sectors and regions; and if, by virtue of the consultations, a reasonable draft of potentially desirable amendments is submitted to Congress, then constitutional reform through a constituent assembly would not only be acceptable, but even desirable.

This scenario, I suppose, is what appeals to Prof. Jose Abueva, who has recently been criticized for going along with the President's proposals. Abueva has been a consistent and eloquent proponent of federalism, although the kind he proposes seems rather different from the kind members of Congress want. Nevertheless, Abueva's heading the consultative commission provides Congress a chance to show it is willing to hear the voice of the people.

In the meantime, Congress can focus on the budget, even as the House wrestles with the impeachment complaint in its justice committee. It is hoped that the matter would be resolved in a manner that inspires confidence-without the House deliberations or a Senate trial triggering a furious backlash from the public (in which case we'd be headed toward a revolutionary government, anyway). All the while, a constitutional consultative commission would have time for study, reflection and consultation. It should not be that only the provinces are heard (and not just the wealthy and well-positioned provinces favoring a federal setup). Other sectors must also be heard. As it stands, congressionally centered proposals do not ...