This, in effect, is what the Comelec chair Benjamin Abalos said, when he dared Chacha and initiative critics to hail them to the Supreme Court. In the same vein, Gabriel Claudio challenged Senator Aquilino Pimentel et al to go to the SC. Goes to show who Abalos is working for.
So blatant is the Comelec’s contempt for Defensor-Santiago vs. Comelec, that it makes my belief stronger that the SC will not do anything on this matter. Sure, it doesn’t have to overturn the said ruling. All it has to do, like what it has done to other constitutional issues of the day like EO464, Proc. 1017, and CPR, is to drag its feet and wait until it’s already fait accompli.
As an ordinary citizen, I am already seeing the futility of going to the SC. The Arroyo administration has shown its contempt on the justice system; and I can’t really help but think that the SC is under influence of whoever. After all, the Administration’s ready answer to all challenges is to bring them to the courts; and the SC obliges by how? By taking its time, dimwit. Then the government withdraws, making all challenges moot. That is the pattern. That’s the reason why I think Arroyo and her ilk are smug about things.
Of course, we cannot discount the fact that he is just bluffing. If so, it will be a costly one – it might cost him days in jail (oh how I wish, we really need a good example of how justice deals with those who treat the law with contempt).
What is clear is that Abalos’ appointment in the Comelec is a political one, and he now shows he is really a partisan.
More about this issue from Atty-at-Work. Atty. Lacierda explains more about Defensor-Santiago v. Comelec here.
In another vein coming from the same issue, Manuel Quezon III sees the Speaker of the House as another victim of assassination with a smile – that, like his former benefactor, Fidel Ramos, he is slowly being relegated into irrelevance, all because of his quixotic dream that is Chacha. While it remains to be seen if that would be the case, it is utterly believable, given the character of Arroyo.
Also, John Marzan believes that the Chacha is not win-win for Gloria Arroyo for the following reasons, and I quote:
Because I see the CHA CHA as a referendum for Arroyo. A defeat for Cha cha will be seen as a defeat for Arroyo.
The defeat in a referendum is not an option for her. She has the machinery and the people to ensure the win for Chacha. She did it before; she can do so again, what with the apathy of the center.
The 1987 Constitution is ARroyo’s worst enemy. If you notice, Arroyo is getting weaker and weaker under this old contitution, because her hands are tied most of the time, and it takes a lot of rule-breaking to get away with some of the stuff she’s trying to pull (like EO 464, Proc 1017, CPR). And when you are caught breaking the rules, it doesn’t look good, let’s just say that. 😉
And while she is caught breaking the rules, she is not put to justice. Hence, even if Chacha fails, she can circumvent the 1987 Constitution since the majority of the apathetic center will allow her to do so. The Constitution is not a restraint for her. So even if the Chacha fails, she still wins.
If she loses this fight, I expect her to lose more allies in the House and in the media (or their asking price to continue supporting her will increase). Nobody will respect or fear her anymore. I don’t see her surviving much longer under the anti-dictator 1987 constitution.
She will not lose allies if Chacha loses; the congressmen will. For the failure of Chacha means the congressmen fail to deliver, so they cannot gloat on her and abandon her. Besides, she has the resources; it’s just like the 2005 impeachment. The biggest losers in Chacha are De Venecia and Ramos.
As I have said, this is just a clear diversion, and I still maintain that it’s a win-win one for Arroyo.
This admin P.I. onslaught has many implications. Let’s focus on the crucial ones: 1) They may have opened a Pandora’s Box 2)that they know this, and that they’ll close and seal it before others get to it. There is a constitutional bar on subsequent/counter P.I. attempts. Let’s study the pertinent laws. There is a window of opportunity here for a snap election. Also good if COMELEC goes thru with what Abalos calls ‘iniatory steps’ of P.I verification. It may cleally constitute an impeachable offense.(en banc!) If we are more proactive we can work out a winning combination here.
Just like filing several impeachment charges at the same date?
That’s why I said Abalos is either bluffing, or he has some very good precognitive powers. I am thinking of the bluff – it is a dangerous one, and the stakes are high. He knows this, and he might probably lose, yet he took the risk. Why?
I don’t think impeaching the entire Comelec will work, the same way that another impeachment against Arroyo is filed this year. If you want to go the way of the impeachment, the best year is next year, and be sure that an opposition Congress is elected.
Pol, Chiz Escudero noted a while ago that the local COMELEC officials conduct the signature verification at their own risk because there’s no formal order, instruction, directive or memorandum from COMELEC main. I think Chiz is baiting Abalos and Co. to issue that order…then, just maybe, slap them with impeachment….hmmm, let’s give that more thought.
Arbet, I agree that it’s a win-win strategy for PGMA.
If Gloria Arroyo wouldn’t abandon them, Abalos et al don’t have to be afraid of impeachment.
“it’s a win-win strategy for PGMA” means on going is a (an attempt at) GMA’s ‘constitutional coup’!
“Creative Proactive Response – Citizens’ Initiatives.
As such, the resolution of the critical impasse calls for a remedial coup as an element of wide-ranging and peaceful citizens’ initiatives that adhere to just and democratic processes to defend and strengthen our democratic institutions.” http://icbcp.blogspot.com/
Good News: 1) “Chiz Escudero noted a while ago that the local COMELEC officials conduct the signature verification at their own risk”; 2) a report by GMA7/Susan E., a barangay in QC where PI got 0 pirma, even the bgy pirma kubrador will not sign.
Public awareness on PI is a very good development that could swing the tide. “the first step, after a formula has been polished, is the gathering of signatures to support it” (Fr Bernas). What the people need now is a ‘formula’ to sign-on their support
I think the more she breaks the rules, the more she loses support among her remaining supporters. It started with GLORIAGATE, and continued with the media crackdown, and now this Cha cha train.
i don’t get that. what do you mean by “the congressmen will” lose allies? you mean lose arroyo’s support?
but can arroyo really afford to lose more allies in the House? can arroyo really afford to offend or abandon her allies in congress? what if many of them told arroyo to go eff herself and decide to support the impeachment case against her the second time around?
besides, arroyo cannot escape blame if cha cha loses, because PI is arroyo’s initiative.
I recall many congressmen have decided to support arroyo because she’s serious about pushing CHA CHA down our throats. But if cha cha fails, what’s the point in continuing to support her, when her admin cannot even get CHA CHA passed with all her resources?
Quick question, who do you think will get most credit if CHA CHA gets railroaded? Arroyo or JDV or Ramos?
And who do you think will get most of the blame from the public if cha cha loses? Arroyo, JDV or Ramos?
I think if Chacha wins, Gloria wins (unless backstabbed by JDV). If it loses, JDV loses. JDV will get all the blame. Why? The congressmen will play a lot in this game, and the failure of Chacha is a failure of congressmen, which in turn is a failure on the part of JDV.
That’s the key here John, the congressmen playing the most parts in this game.