Gang rape in the Philippine congress

It rained hard last night, providing perfect bed weather for most Filipinos in Metro Manila.

As some prepared to sleep and as some slumbered deeply, congressmen and congresswomen gathered at the Batasan Pambansa to participate in the biggest gang rape in Philippine history.

Ignoring all reason and all objections, the minions of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo approved House Resolution No. 1109 which empowers Congress to convene itself into a Con-ass in which members of the House and the Senate would vote jointly—not separately—to amend the 1987 Constitution.

Senators have said this would render the upper chamber inutile because the larger House membership could override any Senate objections to proposed amendments.

Senators have maintained that the framers of the 1987 Philippine Constitution said that both houses of congress (the Upper House or Senate and the Lower House or Congress) should vote on Constitutional Change SEPARATELY.

The Philippine Star reports that:

The President’s orders to pursue Cha-cha via con-ass even without the participation of the Senate were reportedly given at the Manila Hotel after the Lakas-Kampi merger last Thursday before the President left for South Korea and Russia, House sources said.

Additional pork barrel fund allocations were allegedly offered to those who will vote for Resolution 1109.

Mrs. Arroyo’s usual congressional companions include Deputy Speaker Amelita Villarosa and Representatives Martin Romualdez of Leyte, Danilo Suarez of Quezon, Hermilando Mandanas of Batangas, Rachel Arenas of Pangasinan, and Ma. Carissa Coscolluela of the party-list group Buhay.

I appeal to all Filipino bloggers and all Filipinos who have read this blog to oppose this bid for Constitutional Change.