use a microscope and look closer at this germ

Look at General Order No. 5, which clamps prior restraints on the
media, fracturing the Constitution in the process. It resembles, in
essence, Public Information Order No. 1, issued on Sept. 25, 1972, by
then Information Minister Francisco Tatad. Both would substitute
government censors for editors.

Under martial law, the elastic phrase "national security" promptly
became identical with security of the dictator and family. Inevitably,
Philippine National Police censors would skid down the same road.

Will publication, for example, of the disguised plan to resurrect the
no-elections proposal in Article XX (transitory provisions) of the
proposed constitution violate GO 5? The draft would sneak in unelected
parliamentarians, allow Ms Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to retain the
presidency -- and expand her powers to boot.

These led former Trade Secretary Vicente Paterno to write: "I
notified members of the former Constitutional Commission that I
dissociate myself from all ConCom activities."

Take a closer look at sections crafted by lawyers Romela Bengzon and
Raul Lambino. Are these not the same powers wangled by Ferdinand
Marcos?

Section 7 cancels the elections. This is the notorious "no-el," or
no-elections, plan and would allow incumbent senators and congressmen
to coast along for three unelected years (2007-2010). Section 9
provides that 30 persons would become "members of the Parliament upon
appointment by the President." That's "stacking the decks."
Here are 30 MPs who'll say amen to their benefactor.

Section 11 says this unelected and stacked Parliament "shall elect an
interim Prime Minister. He shall be a member of the Cabinet." So, why
is the interim Prime Minister not the head of government, as in other
parliaments? The next section unlocks this mystery.

Section 12 stipulates that the interim Prime Minister and Cabinet
exercise all powers "under the direction and supervision of the
incumbent President," i.e., President Arroyo.

You think that's all? Read Section 13: "In the interim Parliament,
the incumbent President (i.e., President Arroyo) shall exercise the
powers vested in the Head of State and the Head of government under
this Constitution."

That's in the congressional pipeline now even as Speaker Jose de
Venecia soothingly assures one and all the "No-El" plan is dead.

This transitory provision plan would also be "DOA"
(Dead-On-Arrival) if the press would give it the full critical
examination it deserves. Investigative reports would quickly note that
in the new body to promote "Cha-cha," or Charter change, co-chairs
were main sponsors in ConCom of these onerous sections. And their
backer? "Elementary, my dear Watson."

In a not-for-attribution interview, a senior official says: "We will
ram through Article XX and the whole package by July."

What's magic about July? We asked. That's when another impeachment
case will be filed, he replied. "Ah, so desu ka," the Japanese
censors would say in World War II newsrooms.

.

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