In Night of ‘Rape’ and ‘Outrage,’ Arroyo Allies in Congress Take First Step to Cha-Cha

“Why the rush? What is the reason? Will the world disappear tomorrow if we don’t approve HR 1109? Will the Philippines disappear?” Maza said.

Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares wondered what would kind of constitution the Congress would create when it did not even consult the public. “This is a terrifying night,” Colmenares said. “Let us not allow Arroyo to surpass Marcos,” he said, referring to the late dictator’s many years in power.

Anakpawis Rep. Joel Maglunsod asked his colleagues what good the Cha-cha will bring to ordinary Filipinos, the unemployed, the OFWs and those affected by the financial crisis.

The denunciations went on into the night, with Rep. Edno Joson of Nueva Vizcaya likening the night’s vote to a rape. Kabataan partylist Rep. Raymond Palatino called the impending vote “worse than the Hayden Kho scandal,” referring to the sex video scandal riveting the nation.

There were intense moments during the debates, as when Bukidnon Rep. Teofisto Guingona III delivered what seemed to Arroyo allies like a privilege speech and not an interpellation.

“Arroyo has destroyed many institution of our government and has removed the faith of Filipinos in these institutions,” Guingona said. This, he said, referring to HR 1109, “is the first step toward changing the Constitution with one aim: to let Arroyo remain in power indefinitely.”

House security also initially prevented people from entering the gallery, with many of them ending up drenched by the rain outside the Congress halls. This prompted Bayan Muna Rep. Teodoro Casino Jr. to take the floor and asked his colleagues: “This is the house of the people. Why are we preventing them from entering?” (Bulatlat.com)