Justice, Peace and Care of Creation

A ministry of the Dominican Province of the Philippines based in the Catholic diocese of Kalookan, Metro Manila, Philippines.

09 December 2006

STATEMENT AGAINST CONVENING OF CON ASS

Here is the complete statement of the Association of the Major Religious Superiors of the Philippines and partners regarding the issue of Lower House of Representatives convening itself into a Constitutional Assembly (Con Ass)

STATEMENT AGAINST CONVENING OF CON ASS

“Make fair judgment your concern, act with justice
for soon my salvation will come
and my saving justice be manifest…” ( Isaiah 56:1)

A travesty of democratic processes was committed in the early hours of Thursday , December 7, 2006, by so-called representatives of the people. Like a thief in the night it robbed us of our rights, of an election and of a constitution.

Are we now to believe that the men and women of the House of Representatives had the people’s best interests in mind when they voted to convene themselves into a Constituent Assembly?

Are we now to believe that it is perfectly all right to convene a Constituent Assembly by only one House of Congress and then bully and terrorize the Senate to submit to its immoral act?

Are we now to believe that these recent robbery will lead us to peace and development? Are we now to believe that political dynasties and the system of patronage will be eradicated by a shift to a parliamentary form of government?

We believe not.

The means and methods being undertaken by these so-called people’s representatives will lead to greater instability and a tighter grip on the reins of power. It seems to us that this obsession for power is at the root of this immoral move to revise the constitution.

The undue haste to revise the constitution even by immoral means is an abominable act. First they tried it through a bogus people’s initiative and the Supreme Court struck this down. And now they wish to ram down our throats a Constituent Assembly that will revise or amend the constitution and prolong their term of office. The audacity is mind-boggling but the intention is crystal clear – to perpetuate themselves in power.

Is this the renewal of politics that our bishops have consistently called for?
Is this the way to our people’s redemption from poverty and dehumanization?

This obstinate greed and lust for power and wealth will lead this nation and people to ruin.

Therefore, we call on the House of Representatives:
to abandon this ill-conceived Constituent Assembly
to focus instead, by deed and concrete acts, on restoring the people’s faith in our democratic institutions.
to heed their conscience in upholding truth and justice
to practice seriously love of neighbor more than love for oneself.
to be faithful to the covenant that they be servants of the people and not their tyrants.

The AMRSP and its Mission Partners will stand its ground and oppose this Constituent Assembly as we join our Bishops in their call for “widespread participation, total transparency and rationality that allows for objective discussion and debate” in a just Charter Change.

We, therefore, call on our member-congregations to discuss and reflect upon these dire developments and together, let us besiege heaven with supplications on behalf of our land and our people and let us pour out into the streets in our numbers to stand up for this.

December 7, 2006
AMRSP
and
AMRSP Mission Partners
Rural Missionaries of the Philippines (RMP)
Task Force Detainees of the Philippines (TFDP)
Task Force Orientation of Church Personnel (TFOCP)
Task Force on Urban Conscientization (TFUC)
Urban Missionaries (UM)
Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Commission (JPICC)
Women and Gender Commission (WGC)

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