David and Gloriath Fight Shapes Up in Pampanga in 2010 as Randy David Considers Running Against PGMA

26 June 2009

Political observer Prof. Randy David is considering to run as representative of the second district of Pampanga in the event that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo makes a bid for the same position in 2010.  

This scenario has many ifs one of which is the success of the Con-Ass in effecting a change from the present presidential form of government to parliamentary.  The presumption is that PGMA's allies in Congress will pave the way for a parliamentary shift and that all the President has to do is to secure a district seat so she can have a chance at becoming Prime Minister.  This scenario is the "Gloria Forever" Constitution that Con-Ass opponents have been protesting against.

More on this story in these reports courtesy of GMANews.tv:

For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV

For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV

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Supreme Court Dismisses Two Consolidated Anti Con-Ass Petitions Filed by Atty. Oliver Lozano and Atty. Louis Biraogo

16 June 2009

The Supreme Court en banc issued earlier today a Resolution dismissing the two consolidations seeking nullification of House Resolution No. 1109 which calls for the convening of a constituent assembly to amend the 1987 Constitution.  Lead petitioners in the two cases are Atty. Oliver Lozano and Atty. Louis Biraogo.

So as to preclude the possibility of my misquoting the High Court and risk being charged with having "cerebral deficit," I'm bringing you the news straight from the Supreme Court website:

SC Dismisses Petitions to Nullify “Con-Ass” Resolution 

Posted: June 16, 2009

The Supreme Court en banc, in a unanimous resolution penned by Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno, has dismissed the “con-ass” petitions for being premature and for lack of locus standi.

The Court refused to exercise its jurisdiction over the two consolidated petitions filed by concerned citizens Atty. Oliver O. Lozano together with Atty. Evangeline J. Lozano-Endriano, and Louis C. Biraogo, which both asked for the nullification of House Resolution No. 1109 calling for a Constituent Assembly in Congress, because “the fitness of petitioners’ case for the exercise of judicial review is grossly lacking.”

The Court’s power of review “is limited to actual cases and controversies dealing with parties having adversely legal claims, to be exercised after full opportunity of argument by the parties.” The resolution further explains that “The case-or-controversy requirement bans this court from deciding ‘abstract, hypothetical or contingent questions.’”

The petitions filed were found to be premature or unripe for review because it lacked the showing of any proven “adverse injury or hardship from the act complained of.” The court also notes that “no actual convention has yet transpired and no rules of procedure have yet been adopted.” In fact, “no proposal has yet been made, and hence, no usurpation of power or gross abuse of discretion has yet taken place.” Thus, “the House has not yet performed a positive act that would warrant an intervention from this Court.”

Furthermore, petitioners Lozano, Endriano, and Biragao were found to have no standing to sue because they have no personal stake in the case. The claim that they are all concerned citizens and taxpayers do not warrant them a personal stake, as “a taxpayer’s suit requires that the act complained of directly involves the illegal disbursement of public funds derived from taxation.” In the case at hand, there has been no allocation or disbursement of public funds yet.

Neither can they claim locus standi based on “an issue of transcendental importance or [by showing that a] paramount public interest is involved,” because “the possible consequence of House Resolution No. 1109 is yet unrealized.” Locus Standi is a constitutional requirement – the Constitution mandates courts of justice to settle only “actual controversies involving rights which are legally demandable and enforceable.” And “while the Court has taken an increasingly liberal approach to the rule of Locus Standi, it is not an open invitation for the ignorant and the ignoble to file petitions that prove nothing but their cerebial deficit.”

Ten justices concurred with the Chief Justice. One justice took no part while the other was on official leave. There are currently two vacancies in the High Court.

VIDEO UPDATE 16 June 2009  9:41pm This is 24 Oras video report of the Con-Ass petitions' dismissal courtesy of GMANews.tv: For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV end

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Kalayaan 2009 Mega Job and Livelihood Fair, June 12 to 14 Will be Held at the Rizal Park

11 June 2009

On my way home from the Anti Con-Ass Rally in Makati last night, I snapped this photograph of a DOLE streamer at the Monumento Station of LRT.  It says that the three-day Kalayaan 2009 Mega Job and Livelihood Fair will be held at the Rizal Park:

please click on the image to enlarge

Pasensiya na po kung hindi ko ito naalala nang mas maaga. Please drop by again today; I'll try to contact the DOLE to find out exactly where in Rizal Park is the Kalayaan 2009 job fair venue.

UPDATE

11 June 2009, 10:28am

I contacted DOLE a few moments ago at 527-3000 local 701 to 707 and I was transferred to another local no. , probably 504.  

There, Miss Norie informed me that the venue in Rizal Park is between the carabaos and the grandstand.  She says it will start around 8:00am.  

I was asked to call up again in ten minutes' time to talk to Jenny who knows more about the matter.  

UPDATE

11 June 2009, 10:52am

I've talked to Ms. Jenny Laviña of the DOLE at 527-3000 local 504 and she confirmed that the venue of the Kalayaan 2009 Mega Job and Livelihood Fair tomorrow, June 12 is at the San Lorenzo Ruiz Field in Rizal Park.  This is the large open field between the carabaos and the Quirino Grandstand. The affair will be from 8am to 5pm.

I relayed to Ms. Jenny might suggestion that the DOLE should issue participant nos. to the jobseekers in order to avoid a repeat of the terrible inconveniences experienced by Jobapalooza '09 jobseekers who had to suffer waiting for long hours on interminable queues at SM MOA SMX  last May 1.  

If jobseekers have their participant nos., they can fall out of line to take their breakfast, merienda or lunch or go to the comfort rooms, with full confidence that their place in the line will not be lost when they come back.  Konting pagbabago sa sistema, pero malaking ginhawa para po sa mga kababayan nating naghahanap ng trabaho.

God bless po sa inyong lahat!

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Senator Roxas Lambasts "Con-Asswang" in Privilege Speech, Malacañang Tags Him "Boy Bawang"

4 June 2009

It's now official.  Mr. Palengke is now Boy Bawang. 

That's how deputy presidential spokesman Anthony Golez is calling Mar Roxas after the Senator from Capiz delivered a privilege speech, in yesterday's last plenary session of the Senate, linking Malacañang to the con-ass resolution HR 1109 passed by Mrs. Arroyo's allies in Congress late Tuesday night, June 2. Senator Roxas distributed garlic (bawang) garlands to his colleagues in the Senate saying that bawang helps to ward off asswang.  House Resolution (HR) 1109 seeks to convene Congress into a constituent assembly in order to amend the 1987 Constitution.

This is the news report by News on Q courtesy of GMAnews.tv:

For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV

This news report by Pia Arcangel for Saksi tells of the viva voce approval of HR 1109 by the administration-controlled Congress late Tuesday night:

For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV

This is the closest that any administration has come to pushing charter change and it has brought Mrs. Arroyo into a headlong confrontation with  the  Filipino people, a confrontation her administration cannot possibly win. There are clear limitations to earthly power and  this is one of them.

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