Watching Congress

Easy to say that we all hate constitutional change. And why is that? That Charter has kept us stable for more than 20 years already. It allowed more people a wider latitude for direct and active participation in governance and is contributory to the stable economic situation we now enjoy. What these Congressmen want, and to paraphrase Speaker Prospero Nograles, is to change the charter to allow more foreign ownership of land, a primary resource of this country.

What prodded Nograles to do this? Is he a real estate salesman? Why the sudden rush to change the charter, especially those economic provisions that actually protect Filipino industries from foreign intrusions?

Those constitutional provisions are safe-guards against the strength and might of foreign capital, why change that? Is Nograles bent on just being a foreign stooge rather than being the boss himself? Nograles wants us, Filipinos, to just remain as agents of foreign interests.

Or probably Nograles is just using this to satisfy the thirst for more power of his benefactors, particularly the First Family?

Whatever way you look at it, Nograles does not exercise strong personal leadership. He shows a dogged adherence or obeisance to his masters rather than pursue the interests of his true Masters, the Filipino People.

Likewise, it is best watching what Congress would do after their patently illegal move last June 2. Constitutionalist Fr. Joaquin Bernas said these congressmen have not committed a crime, yet, since, they have'nt started assembling and doing changes in the Charter. The minute they start tickering with the charter, that's the time to do some action.

I am in the opinion though that even before they assemble, we must express our dissent early on, rather than be caught napping at this crucial juncture of our History as a people. There are historical precedence and we must be acutely aware that in some moment in our History, a man tried and succeeded in building a kingdom for himself. That ignominy caused us a suffering that lasted for more than twenty years.

We must be very vigilant and watchful at the same time. We must be very particular about the time. By the way, when I was watching the Lower House proceedings, I looked at my Chotovelli watch. It was 11:38 pm. If you add the numbers, it'll sum up to 13, an unlucky number?

This is the watch that I use now. Go to their website at http://italwatchmanila.com and you'll find the latest Chotovelli watch models there. Chotovelli watches are artful creations. Stylish. Modern. And not that expensive. Go, observe life as it unfolds with a Chotovelli.