EDITORIAL : THE DAILY TRIBUNE, THE PHILIPPINES

 

 

Doing a Marcos

With the Senate having approved the postponement of the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) bill, and with even Noynoy kicking out the incumbents when their terms end and replace them with his appointees to serve out their unelected terms up till May 2013 -- with their option to run for the same posts, what is likely to happen?

Chances are high that those opposing the postponement of the ARMM elections are going to challenge its constitutionality before the Supreme Court which can either mean a continued postponement through a temporary restraining order (TRO) until a ruling is made, or the holding of the scheduled polls.

But if the high court does rule that the ARMM bill, as is, is constitutional, then the nation can expect Malacañang and the party in power to prostitute the electoral system even more.

Those who will be appointed by Noynoy to take the place of the ousted ARMM officials, if accounts are correct, while in position and influence, can still run for the positions to which they have been appointed, something which runs against the Spirit of the Constitution.

It is also being claimed by Noynoy that he wanted the postponement and replacement of the ARMM incumbents to initiate reforms in the electoral system as well as make the ARMM responsive to the needs of the poor in the region. But just what reforms can be effected in the ARMM by Noynoy’s appointees in less than two years?

To date, with Noynoy in Malacañang, there has been no effective reforms made by him and he has been in the presidential office for a year.

It has to be recalled that the reason a Philippine president only has six years in office with no reelection, was precisely to ensure that no president can again use the resources of government and his power and influence while running for a second term.

Yet the bill calls for Noynoy’s appointees being eligible to run for the elections in 2013, a situation which gives them that power and influence over the electoral system, in 2013.

What we disliked about the constitutional right of Ferdinand Marcos to run again and again for the presidency, we are going to have the same thing all over again and this time, introduced by Noynoy, who claims to have a loathing for Marcos and his dictatorship. So why is Noynoy following in Marcos’ footsteps?

And just who will be the appointed ARMM officials of Noynoy? His party mates to ensure the victory of the Liberal Party candidates?

And who is to be the appointed ARMM governor? A Christian and Noynoy’s leftist presidential adviser and ally Rolando Llamas? The MILF leaders who want power and position?

Funny, but Noynoy speaks of democracy and reform, yet he goes against the principles of democracy in the matter of the ARMM, because democracy is the system which gives the ARMM electorate the leaders of their choice, but Noynoy denies them that through this measure that gives him the power to appoint officials in the ARMM. That’s practically like doing a Marcos, especially during the martial law years, when he kicked out the elective officials and appointed his choices instead.

It is also the same thing that Cory Aquino, his mother, did, in the first year in office — and all on the claim that this was to be for the reforms of government. Incidentally, it was Cory who appointed Ampatuan Sr. OIC in that region.

There was never any reform effected. Neither will there be that reform Noynoy speaks about in the ARMM.

Frank Drilon, author of the ARMM postponement bill, claimed that Aquino’s power to appoint is a power vested in him by the Constitution.

What he does not say is that the presidential power to appoint refers only to appointees in the executive department, not anywhere else, which is why he and Noynoy’s allies now speak of “residual powers,” which certainly can be abused by any president, once this claimed “residual power” is upheld by the high court.

After all, if a president’s claimed residual powers can eject incumbent ARMM officials who even enjoy autonomy, what will stop that president from using his “residual powers” to eject local officials, such as mayors and governors then replace them with his appointees?