Gico’s report: A caretaker governing council
No amount of heckling can take GMA down. She’s a consummate trapo. She has neither conscience nor shame. I know the kind. I’ve associated with this type of social parasite as a former politician in the past.
The only reason that could cause GMA to resign is a withdrawal of support from the military. Contacts in the military say that it’s going to take this option, as it has in the past, only when its sees one million people on the streets. We do need more innovative ways to raise awareness level, particularly, among the middle class. This is to bring more people to the streets, especially, for the critical and final push as in EDSA 2.
I now believe that Noli’s succession won’t restore stability much more bring about reforms. He’s going to be pulled that way by GMA’s remaining minions and this way by those insisting on reforms. He doesn’t have the capacity for independent judgment. It’s going to be an ugly mess with him at the helm, unable to steer the ship of state to safe harbor against the fury of a perfect political storm.
I’ve heard that Noli couldn’t say anything to Cory during her meeting with him. His wife has been doing all the talking. He’s now having cold feet in assuming the presidency considering the present circumstances. Should he chicken at the final moment, Frank Drillon takes over following the line of succession and merely calls for a snap election. This is futile without COMELEC being revamp and reformed. Dinky also says that their group realizes this now and is open to options other than Noli just taking over.
The option being talked about now is a caretaker governing council (CGC). It’s to be composed of highly respected individuals representing various sectors of society. The basic sectors are going to be properly represented this time. It’s a well deserved concession considering that they’ve always been at the losing end of our political immaturity since EDSA 1. The CGC is going to rule under a temporary legal framework similar to that of Cory’s freedom constitution.
The CGC is going to preside over a limited and well-defined task. This is to avoid a complicated selection process and to keep it from being torn apart by competing interests. It’s simply going to revamp and reform the COMELEC. Then it’s going to conduct a voter education campaign, the election of delegates to a constitutional convention, a plebiscite on the proposed changes in the constitution and new elections under a revised constitution. All these must be completed within a year. I propose a vigorous anti-corruption drive and the disposal of state corporations to give people hope during the transition period.
The only major constitutional change being envisioned is the changeover to a federal form of government with a unicameral parliament. The necessary provisions for strengthening political parties are likewise to be included. Parliament is to be composed of members 50% elected by geographical constituencies and 50% by the sectors, much like that of the German parliament. The parliaments of the federal states are to be configured in the same manner.
We here in Mindanao wish to make singit with a constitutional provision allowing us to conduct a periodic plebiscite on independence. The provision may also apply to other major ethno-cultural groupings like the Visayas and the Ilocos regions. The provision in fact is an additional safeguard to keep the federal government from implementing policies favoring vested interests at the expense of regional interests.
The changeover is expected to decentralize and improve delivery of basic services and prevent vested interests from easily influencing federal and state policies. It’s also going to provide a wide venue for participation and the motivation for the various sectors of society to mobilize for more responsible citizenship. It’s an antidote to what now afflicts our society: an opportunistic elite class and the isolation of the marginalized.
All other policy reforms are to be decided on by the new parliament. This again is to avoid a clash of competing interests during an inherently unstable transition period. The transition process is really very similar to that of post-EDSA 1. I like this better than Noli just taking over. It’s going to be a crippling blow to elite politics and a major victory for political reforms, the raison d’etre of NATCPR. I suggest we openly support and campaign for this option corollary to taking GMA down.
Gico Dayanghirang
Davao
Former Congressman
Member, NATCPR
