Philippine Asian News Today Vol 20 No 23 | Page 16

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PHILIPPINE ASIAN NEWS TODAY December 1 - 15, 2018
16
Birthday: MARCH 14
Place of Birth: LAOAG CITY, ILOCOS NORTE PHILIPPINES
Present City: VANCOUVER
Biggest Influence: MY PARENTS BECAUSE THEY SHAPED ME
INTO THE PERSON I AM TODAY.
Profession: NURSING
Fav Actor: GEORGE TIMOTHY CLOONEY
Fav Vocalist: ED SHEERAN
Fav Quotes: The most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen
or even touched. THEY MUST BE FELT WITH THE HEART
Draft charter shows solons’ self-
interest, says CBCP
AN official of the Catholic
Bishops
Conference
of
the
Philippines (CBCP) yesterday said
the draft charter approved by the
House of Representatives proves that
congressmen are more concerned
of their welfare than of their
constituents.
“I am dismayed at the House
approval of the draft federal charter…
It is clear that they do not have the
good of the people in mind, but
their own self interest,” said CBCP -
Episcopal Commission on the Laity
chairman Bishop Broderick Pabillo.
The House of Representatives,
on Tuesday, approved on third and
final reading the measure seeking to
amend the 1987 Constitution, which
includes the proposal to lift the term
limits of legislators and local officials
while also taking out the ban on
political dynasties.
Senators remain undecided
whether to agree to convene with
congressmen into a constituent
assembly (con-ass).
In a statement, Pabillo said
the removal of the ban on political
dynasties and the term limits among
congressmen and local officials proves
the congressmen’s self-interest.
“Federalism
with
political
dynasty is a sure formula for the
dismemberment of the country,” he
said.
He asked the faithful to outrightly
thumb down the proposal.
For its part, the National
Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel)
said the removal of the term limits of
lawmakers and the ban on political
dynasties takes out the safeguards
against monopoly of power.
“We do not agree with the
removal of term limits as this violates
the principle that aims to ensure
accountability of elected public
officials,” said Namfrel Secretary
General Eric Alvia.
Alvia said the move made even
worse by the scrapping of the ban
on political dynasties which “opens
up opportunities to be abused and
exploited.”
He warned that the draft may
result in local government power
being limited further to few elite and
political families.
“We can expect elected public
officials and their families lording over
for extended periods of time. This may
be detrimental for the constituents
and development,” he stressed.
“This is also worrisome, especially
in a federal structure, since it could
further spawn political and economic
elites,” he added. (GERARD NAVAL,
Malaya)
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