Stop the Cha-cha Name Game Under GMA- Maza

“Whatever they call it, whether it’s Con-Ass or Con-con, the fact remains that the Filipino people oppose charter change under the Arroyo government. Once and for all, they should stop all this name game.”

Thus said Rep.Liza Maza of Gabriela Women’s Party today as GMA’s allies in the House of Representatives stir up efforts to amend the 1987 Constitution, this time through a Constitutional Convention (Con-con). 

“Con-Ass or Con-con under GMA are the same animal. Kahit ilang beses mang palitan ang pangalan nito, malinaw na tanging si GMA at ang kanyang mga alipores ang makikinabang at hindi ang mamamayan. Ika nga, ilang beses mang magpalit ng balat ang ahas, ay ahas pa rin ito,” Maza said.

Maza stressed that the one of the reasons behind the persistent moves to change the charter is geared towards removing some protectionist provisions regarding national patrimony. Cha-cha proponents argue that strategic enterprises, natural resources, land ownership, public utilities, professions, education, mass media and advertising should be completely opened up to foreign ownership.

“This is nothing but a sell-out of all aspects of our economic sovereignty and patrimony. Indeed, this is not the change that we aspire because this will lead us to more peril and poverty,” Maza added.

Meanwhile, Maza and other militant solons under the newly-founded Makabayan coalition continue to challenge fellow lawmakers to withdraw their signatures from the House Resolution 1109. Maza has initiated a nationwide petition signing against Con-Ass and has constantly campaigned against this measure in her visits to various cities and provinces.

 “Kailangang ibaon at wakasan na ang usaping charter change. Patuloy itong kinasusuklaman ng taong bayan at habang ito’y nananatiling buhay, lalo nitong pinaiigting ang galit ng mamamayan,” Maza concluded. ###