Walden Bello Opposes House Resolution 1099

I have never felt certain principles to be more important than tonight. One of these is the right of the minority to be heard and respected.  This is a bedrock principle, the erosion of which would drag us from peaceful competition to violent conflict.  We must constantly ensure that the rights of the minority are respected in the political arena, protected from the tyranny of the majority which is a constant temptation in every democracy. Tonight we have witnessed a gross violation of the rights of the minority. We tamper with such principles at our peril.  We tamper with the constitution at our peril.  Unless there is a clear and urgent need to revise it, we must let the constitution be. We are fortunate to be part of the international process of the evolution of democracy.   That process has led over the centuries to the sacred principle of the separation of powers, which is institutionalized in the 1987 Constitution.  What is happening tonight will lead to the upsetting of this fine balance.  It is part of a dangerous process of the colonization of the legislative power by the executive power, which can only lead to great instability and ultimately violent change. What we are seeing tonight is the self-destruction of the legislative power.  Many members of the majority, I know, are very bothered about what is happening.  They feel that there is something wrong that is being committed.  Yet they are confused, for the House leadership has not dared to stand up to the executive on this issue; instead it has gone along with Malacanang’s drive to undermine Congress’ independence and authority in order for the president to maintain herself in power beyond the constitutionally defined limits. House Resolution 1099 cannot be allowed to stand, and we ask our colleagues on the other side of the aisle to join us in stopping it. The majority may win the vote tonight with their numbers, but clearly they have already lost the battle for public opinion.