Nograles urges SC to rule on Con-ass due to protests
MANILA - House Speaker Prospero Nograles on Friday said the nationwide protests against Charter change (Cha-cha) should oblige the Supreme Court (SC) to immediately rule on the constitutionality of House Resolution (HR) 1109 convening Congress into a Constituent assembly (Con-ass) to amend the Constitution without the participation of the Senate.
“It is my considered legal opinion that due to the public interest generated by Charter change, the Supreme Court may take legal cognizance of the issue and rule on the matter to prevent anymore protests and marches connected with the same,” Nograles said in a statement on Friday.
At least two petitions have been filed before the Supreme Court questioning the validity of HR 1109. Anti-Cha-cha forces have alleged that these petitions are administration efforts aimed at getting a swift ruling from the High Court.
Most charter change critics are delaying moves to question HR 1109 before the Supreme Court. They fear that an early ruling—assuming that the SC will favor joint voting—will give the Arroyo administration time to amend the Constitution. Eleven of the 13 Supreme Court justices are appointees of President Arroyo.
Speculations are rife that President Arroyo wants to stay in power even after her term expires in June 2010.
Opposition forces have alleged that these Charter change moves seek to shift the current presidential form of government to parliamentary. President Arroyo will supposedly run for a parliament seat so she can become prime minister.
Printer-friendly version
Send to friend
Share your views
Speaker Nograles, should at
Speaker Nograles, should at least hold on to a little dignity, since he gave up all his integrity, for money and power, How could this speaker face the general public, or how could he sleep at night ??? This evil speaker will grab as much as he could, to stay in power.. how could this ,man go home and face his children,knowing full well,that he is supporting them, with illegal loot, that has the blood of the filipino people..Speaker Nograles and his money hungry cohorts in the house, should give them selves a little self-respect,keep some level of dignity, They must never forget, that every DOG will have its day...All their evil intentions and deeds will not go unpunished...Voting discreetly and hurriedly on Con-Ass, was so shamefull and embarrassing in itself, that the whole country knows full well, that they did it for money.."Pure Greed ",,in tagalog..." SUGAPA", "GANID" and tantamounts to Pag-nanakaw...But as we all know that their days are numbered, We filipinos, must make sure that this money-grabbing thief, that calls themselves Represantives" be hunted, prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law...