Dr. Abueva Proposes Charter Changes and Accepts OFW Representatives in Congress Proposal (Part I) |
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Sections - Politics | |||
Tuesday, 13 November 2007 08:17 | |||
Dateline Metro Manila, Philippines, Nov. 13, 2007 (As Updated to incorporate proposals submitted by the BalikLaban Movement of the USA) Despite notable fiscal reforms and economic growth, continuing problems of governance, executive-legislative relations, political corruption, inefficiency, lack of accountability, and the persistence of poverty, unemployment, social inequality and political instability underscore the need for structural and institutional reforms. Unfortunately, efforts at changing the constitution in 2005-2006 failed because of flaws in the process and distrust of their initiators, particularly the president.
Realizing the glaring and continuing urgency of constitutional reforms, Dr. Jose V. Abueva has submitted to Congress the Kalayaan College Scenario for Charter Change. He proposes that Congress initiate the change in two stages: (1) as a constituent assembly in 2008; then (2) by calling a constitutional convention whose delegates will be elected in the 2010 elections.
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Editor's Note: Please read the positive reply of Dr. Abueva, as published in the Users' Comments Section. Our mutual friend, Dr. Manuel Faelnar, forwarded to me your press release. We will publicize it in the Filipino-American and Filipino-Canadian newspapers and online publications. Would it be possible to include in your Kalayaan College scenario or proposal our idea of giving Overseas Filipinos their voices in the House of Representatives and the Senate under your proposed Stage One -- on the argument that 9-million of them constitute more than the population of some of the regions of the Philippines: 1.0 The Overseas-Filipino communities will be given two (2) members of the Philippine Senate as their representatives, if the voting is done on a regional basis. 2.0 The Overseas-Filipino communities will be given elected positions in the House of Representatives (or Parliament) at the rate of one representative per 250,000 residents or voters. 2.1 This proposal would mean that four Representatives will be elected by the Filipino contract workers in Saudi Arabia alone. 2.2 This would mean also that the other Filipino contract workers in the Middle East may be entitled to eight more Representatives. 2.3 This would mean likewise that Filipino Americans may be able to elect at least 12 more Representatives. 2.4 The Filipino maids and other contract workers in Hong Kong, Macao and Southern China may be entitled to one member in the House of Representatives (or Parliament). As you have probably heard, we are now negotiating with our fellow community leaders in Saudi Arabia and other countries in the Middle East, Canada, Australia, Europe and Asia about forming an strategic alliance for an OFW-led Political Party that will field complete slates in the presidential, national and local elections in 2010. We may also be in a position to field candidates to any election called to elect members of a constitutional convention. Please let us know if we can help each other push your KC Scenario and our proposals. Mabuhay, Bobby M. Reyes
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Last Updated on Sunday, 18 November 2007 04:33 |
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