Focus on last two years

ON DISTANT SHORE
By Val G. Abelgas

Sometimes the best arguments come from the simplest statements.

“The statement that says there must be a second term (for Aquino) to save democracy is pure b*** s***. “This country is run by elections. If the people decide to elect a son of a b****, then that’s their choice.”

“Now they also want to amend the constitution and clip the powers of the Supreme Court. Patay tayo d’yan (We’re dead). The constitution may only be a piece of paper but it holds the country together from Jolo to Aparri. You destroy that paper, then you destroy the country.”

All these statements came from the controversial and maverick Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, who, by his own admission, is one of the staunchest supporters of President Aquino. Infamously known for supporting vigilantes in his city, Duterte is also known for his no-holds barred and direct discourse.

Duterte is but one of many politicians and political analysts who vehemently oppose plans to amend the Constitution for political reasons. Caloocan Rep. Edgar Irice and Interior Secretary Mar Roxas reignited the cha-cha (charter change) debate when they floated the proposal to amend the 1987 Constitution to allow Aquino to run for a second term ostensibly to continue the reforms started by the President.

Roxas later added that charter change is needed to confront “threats to democracy and good governance.”

As Duterte said, that’s a lot of bull. Questioning the sincerity and credibility of the administration’s reform agenda is hardly a threat to democracy. In fact, it is a clear sign that democracy is alive. The Supreme Court’s unanimous decisions declaring both the congressional (Priority Development Assistance Fund) and presidential pork (Disbursement Acceleration Program) unconstitutional cannot be considered a threat to democracy. In fact, it shows that democracy is alive with checks-and-balance among the three branches of government functioning to the fullest.

Do Erice and Roxas want us to believe that only Aquino and the Liberal Party can reform the corrupt political system? That nobody else can tread the “daang matuwid?” That Aquino is God’s gift to the people, and should therefore be allowed to rule despite explicit prohibition by the Constitution?

Let Aquino and the Liberal Party choose the best man to continue his alleged reform agenda and let him contend with other candidates in the presidential elections in 2016. That’s true democracy. Not amending the Constitution to suit one’s desire.

Obviously, Aquino and the Liberals are afraid that Vice President Jejomar Binay might handily win the 2016 elections because the latter has consistently topped surveys. I am just as apprehensive about Binay becoming the next president, but that doesn’t mean I should favor amending the Constitution to stop him from being elected. If he or any other questionable character wins in a fair and honest election, then we have to give him a chance to govern. That’s what democracy is all about.

To this day, Malacanang remains wishy washy on whether the President wants the Constitution amended or not. The Palace spokespersons have changed course on the topic so many times, the people are now confused on Aquino’s real stand. Does he or doesn’t he want charter change?

On Wednesday last week, in an exclusive interview with Channel 5, Aquino finally broke his silence on the issue and said he has changed his mind and wanted the Constitution amended to allow him to run for a second term and to enable him to clip the powers of the Supreme Court.

Aquino said the tribunal “uses too often its power to check on other branches of government.” He added: “Now the balance between the three branches seems to be vanishing.”

And the Supreme Court was responsible for that? Isn’t he the one holding the better end of the imbalance of power, having nearly absolute control of both the Executive and Legislative branches, not to mention control of the military?

The Constitution is very clear that the Supreme Court is the final arbiter of legal and constitutional questions, and now that its decisions have been against him, he now says the tribunal is overreaching? What does he want? A subservient judiciary, so that he would have complete control of all three branches of government?

Is this the son of Ninoy Aquino, who gave up his life to fight tyranny? Is this the son of Cory Aquino, who continued his husband’s fight to restore democracy and made sure to preserve it with a well-written Constitution that Noynoy now wants to tinker with?
Faced with strong opposition on the streets, in social media and from both sides of the political fence, Malacanang was again in damage control mode the next day as it clarified, again, that Aquino was not supporting any moves for charter change during his term.

I think Aquino is spending sleepless nights the past few weeks what with so many things going against him in so short a time – corruption scandals, unfavorable SC rulings, sliding approval ratings, almost daily street protests, economic slowdown, failed promises, now unattainable legacies, allies starting to question him, relentless media criticisms, and nagging problems on poverty, port congestion, smuggling, and Chinese territorial incursions.

It must have been very difficult for him after nearly four years of enjoying the support of the people, a support he failed to capitalize on.

Aquino should stop looking beyond 2016 and start focusing on his two remaining years in office. Who knows, he might yet accomplish one of his promised legacies.

(valabelgas@aol.com)