Don’t waste taxpayer’s money

Press Release
30 March 2009

Migrant group to pro-charter change Congressmen:
“Don’t waste taxpayer’s money, spend time crafting sound laws”

An alliance of overseas Filipino workers’ organizations in the Middle East today convey their message to pro-administration Congressmen and proponents of Charter change not to waste their time and especially the tax payer’s money by using the resources of the government for pushing hard the amendment of the 1987 Philippine Constitution.

“For now, any attempt to introduced amendment in the Philippine Constitution is an exercise in futility, just a waste of the government resources and a waste of time instead of spending it in crafting sound laws,” said John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator.

The largest OFWs organizations’ alliance in the Middle East said the people and other sectors of the society have already spoken and registered their opposition in amending the Philippine Constitution just as what revealed in the recent survey conducted by IBON Research Foundation.

Monterona said the majority of the Filipinos are relatively aware of the issue, what are its pros and cons, who are the people behind the move, and the motives of these people who are actually pro-administration Congressmen.

“Even OFWs and their families abroad are likewise comparatively aware on local issues who are now keen on watching any development in the country through available tri-media outlets and access in the internets most especially in the political realm; and such awareness led them to create sound public opinion,” Monterona added.

Monterona said with just more than a year approaching the 2010 national and local elections, Migrante members and OFWs in the Middle East are of the opinion that those who are pushing hard to amend the Constitution- the pro-administration Congressmen, especially through Constituent Assembly have only one agenda in common –that is the lifting of term limits in facade of amending the economic provisions of the Constitution which their boss in Malacanang is luring for.

Migrante-ME said House Speaker Nograles is now feeling the pressure from Malacanang who is instrumental for his present occupancy as Speaker.

“House Speaker Nograles is obviously on the hot seat, which would explain why he is reported to file a resolution once session resumes calling for Constituent Assembly that would pave the way in amending the Constitution,” Monterona opined.

Monterona further said failure to do so would put Speaker Nograles political carrier at much risk like what happened to his predecessor, former Speaker Jose De Venecia Jr.

“Nograles and the rest of the pro-administration Congressmen are already marked by OFWs and their families among those with “tainted” public service records, thus they all don’t deserve a vote in the upcoming elections if they will run for re-election or other public office,” Monterona added.

“That’s why we are campaigning hard for the registration of fellow OFWs as absentee voters making OFWs vote as a powerful swing vote playing a big role in who will wins and loses in the elections, while the almost 10-M OFWs have strong influence over their families and relatives back home turning a commanding vote which could send a politician in office whether in national or local positions,” Monterona ended. # # #

For reference:
John Leonard Monterona
Migrante-ME regional coordinator
Mobile Phone: 00966 564 978 012