Vice guv wants abolition of Con-Ass initiative
BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL
KALIBO, Aklan – Vice Gov. Ronquillo Tolentino said the Resolution No. 197, pursuant to House Resolution 1450 should be ‘totally abolished’ after House of Representatives majority coalition decided to archive the resolution calling for a constituent assembly.
Tolentino stressed Speaker Jose de Venecia and his collaborators should be sincere in scrapping the constituent assembly and push for the election of delegates to a constitutional convention simultaneous with the election of national and local officials on May 14, 2007.
“This (constitutional convention) could be a better way where we can have awareness, knowledge and discussion of the proposed amendments or revision to the 1987 Constitution,” Tolentino said.
The Catholic Church, Iglesia ni Kristo, the Jesus is Lord Movement under Brother Eddie Villanueva, the Makati Business Club, El Shaddai led by Bro. Mike Velarde, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry and leaders of the various business, labor and civil society groups and even the senators earlier expressed their opposition to the Congress plans to convene its members into a constituent assembly.
But, De Venecia said the initiative could unite the country on the eve of Christmas and allay fears of ‘no election’ scenario and even extension of terms of public officials.
“It (constituent assembly) should be a total abolition. If it is archived, it can be revived. Its just like laying a motion on the table, “ the vice governor lamented.
Congress is proposing the election of 426 constitutional convention delegates – two from each district – to be held simultaneously with local and national elections on May 2007.
Tolentino said the Congress has acknowledged the ‘overwhelming opposition’ and pressures from the civil society groups that made Speaker de Venecia decided to support the constitutional convention instead.
“He is afraid because the people power against the self-serving constituent assembly is gaining strength among the opposition groups,” he added.
KALIBO, Aklan – Vice Gov. Ronquillo Tolentino said the Resolution No. 197, pursuant to House Resolution 1450 should be ‘totally abolished’ after House of Representatives majority coalition decided to archive the resolution calling for a constituent assembly.
Tolentino stressed Speaker Jose de Venecia and his collaborators should be sincere in scrapping the constituent assembly and push for the election of delegates to a constitutional convention simultaneous with the election of national and local officials on May 14, 2007.
“This (constitutional convention) could be a better way where we can have awareness, knowledge and discussion of the proposed amendments or revision to the 1987 Constitution,” Tolentino said.
The Catholic Church, Iglesia ni Kristo, the Jesus is Lord Movement under Brother Eddie Villanueva, the Makati Business Club, El Shaddai led by Bro. Mike Velarde, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry and leaders of the various business, labor and civil society groups and even the senators earlier expressed their opposition to the Congress plans to convene its members into a constituent assembly.
But, De Venecia said the initiative could unite the country on the eve of Christmas and allay fears of ‘no election’ scenario and even extension of terms of public officials.
“It (constituent assembly) should be a total abolition. If it is archived, it can be revived. Its just like laying a motion on the table, “ the vice governor lamented.
Congress is proposing the election of 426 constitutional convention delegates – two from each district – to be held simultaneously with local and national elections on May 2007.
Tolentino said the Congress has acknowledged the ‘overwhelming opposition’ and pressures from the civil society groups that made Speaker de Venecia decided to support the constitutional convention instead.
“He is afraid because the people power against the self-serving constituent assembly is gaining strength among the opposition groups,” he added.
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