BOHOL Gov. Erico Aumentado has dared the Supreme Court to declare House Resolution 1109 as unconstitutional. “A constitutional assembly (con-ass) by the Lower House alone and without the Senate runs counter to the fundamental law of the land,” Aumentado told the crowd that attended the 111th Independence Day celebration at the Plaza Rizal in front of the Capitol in Tagbilaran City – and his radio audience during his weekly forum The Governor Reports aired live over the city's radio stations with live streaming and heard worldwide through the internet. “I assure you that should this issue need to be voted upon in a plebiscite, your governor will be in the forefront of a campaign against amending the Constitution by the House of Representatives alone and without the Senate,” he stressed. Without going into the underlying constitutional provision, Aumentado said if there is a group to be blamed for the confusion on the Constitutional provision on amendment, it would be the Constitutional Commission (Concom) of former president Corazon Aquino.

At that time, the Concom focused on removing whatever vestiges there were of the Marcos regime. They wanted to set up a parliamentary form of government so that the Concom prepared provisions designed to establish such a system of government for the Philippines , he explained. After the “smoke” of voting was cleared however the presidential form of government won over the parliamentary form – and the rush was there to include all the provisions prepared for inclusion in the defeated parliamentary for to the presidential form of government, he added. But the Concom missed one provision, the governor said, leaving the country faced with a possible constitutional crisis that could instill hesitation and even fear among prospective investors who would have poured capital into the country because it certainly trigger the disunity of the Filipino people and instability of governance. “Hence, as we celebrate Independence Day today, let us pray for our leaders and the Supreme Court to be firm and strike down Resolution 1109 as unconstitutional and violative of the fundamental law of the land,” said Aumentado. “I favor amending the Constitution but only if done the proper way. Let there be a constituent assembly with the Lower House and the Senate working together in accordance with the spirit and intent of the Constitution – not just the Lower House working for the changes,” he said.

In closing, he urged the Boholanos to continue their trademark unity, cooperation and trust in the Almighty and in President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo that more good things will come for the country and the province. This will spell more development, and more progress, he forecast. He also bid the Boholanos to be grateful for the 111th Independence Day celebration that history shows, came about only after “our heroes shed blood, sweat and tears in the darkness of the night without seeing the light of day.” “It is but fitting to give thanks and celebrate because in the 111 years that we have been enjoying freedom, the Philippines – especially our beloved Bohol – has continued to develop and move toward progress,” he said. The celebration theme mentions not just greatness and competence in the form of a sharp mind or honed skills nor enhanced knowledge but industry as well in order to attain development and progress. “And, in this time of economic crisis threatening not just the country but the whole world, we need, more than ever, the unity and cooperation of the people and our leaders for us to help overcome these problems,“ he said, even as he expressed sadness over the kind of cooperation some sectors have shown – exposing the darker side. He was referring to the solons who voted for the resolution in question.

A staunch supporter of President Arroyo, Aumentado said he is convinced that the chief executive has been distancing herself from the congressional con-ass House resolution 1109. The President has not been meddling with the affairs of Congress including the ‘Senateless' constituent assembly, he said. “I cannot support such a constituent assembly. I must tell you now that the act is not only inviting a constitutional crisis. It violates the fundamental law of the land and above all, it is counterproductive to the economy that, at this juncture, needs strengthening the most,” he emphasized. “It is one act of the House of the Representatives that will surely divide the Filipino people instead of uniting us in the anvil of unison for the good of the country,” he concluded.