The media are rife with grim scenarios of ?no-election? or ?failure of election? should the automation program encounter problems. The question being asked is, if by June 30, 2010 no president is proclaimed, who?ll head the country? Fears are being stoked about a military takeover or President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo extending her term.
Former Rep. and now Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Constantino Jaraula opines that the Constitution can safely guide us out of such legal shoals. A UP Law graduate, he notes that unlike the 1935 and 1973 Constitutions, the present one has eliminated the chief justice from the order of succession ?to insulate the judiciary from politics.? Moreover, the power of Congress to legislate on the issue of who serves as president is limited only to ?death, permanent disability, or resignation of the Acting President.? Thus, he opines, to propose the chief justice as successor is ?contrary to the intent of the Constitution.? Likewise, he stresses, Congress cannot legislate on the ?no-el? or ?failure of election? scenario as it does not apply to the acting president, as spelled out in the provision on succession (Art. VII, Sec. 8).
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Mayor Jaraula proposes as a solution to the fear of a power vacuum that the Senate choose a new president pro tempore after the deadline for filing certificates of candidacy in November and before the start of the campaign period next February. His idea is to grant this new official the power of automatic succession to the Senate presidency, aside from renaming his post as that of ?Senate vice president or deputy Senate president.? Zeroing in on the term of Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, whose term expires on June 30, 2010, he proposes that the new president pro tempore be chosen from among the senators whose terms expire only in 2013, but excluding presidential and vice-presidential candidates. The new Senate president pro tempore would succeed automatically as Senate president and ?correspondingly as president of the Republic? in case of a failure of election. Jaraula suggests that the new Senate president pro tempore be picked after the November deadline and before the start of the campaign period next February ?as any other time is fraught with risks.?
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Jaraula says that selecting a non-reelectionist president pro tempore in this manner would produce stability as there will be a ?legitimate successor? whom the military and police can rally behind. It will also ?discourage, if not prevent, planners for no-election from pursuing such evil design.? He points out that leaving the future to the military or police is ?fraught with so much danger and uncertainty? considering ?present alignments.? The republic ?must survive at all costs,? he stresses. I agree most heartily.
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Is former President Fidel Ramos batting for Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, the Lakas-CMD-Kampi presidential bet? It seems that way, but then FVR is famous for his wit and humor and this could be a prank. At the farewell dinner hosted by outgoing Konrad Adenauer Foundation director Klaus Preschle at the Mandarin Hotel recently, Teodoro was unexpectedly called to join a few other speakers to deliver brief remarks. He recalled ideas that he and Preschle had shared over the years, including the need for Charter change, military reforms and progress in Mindanao, and an emphasis on the ?antagonisms of ideas? and not those that lead to violence. One lesson he got from Preschle, Teodoro said, is that ?good governance is not just all about a ?good person,? but also the need for structures that would make it possible. This was quickly read by some as a subtle dig at his cousin Noynoy Aquino whose platform is good vs. evil.
Before ending his remarks, Teodoro complimented Preschle by flashing a cardboard sign that said ?No. 1,? which was well-applauded. I learned later from FVR that he had thrust that sign, which was their table number, to Gibo not only to use on Preschle, but also so that he could flash that sign around during his campaign. ?He could tell people it came from me,? FVR said. Gibo should ask FVR, ?Pecs man, Sir?
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In connection with the Ateneo de Manila University?s ?SesquiCentennial? or the 150th year of its foundation soon after the Jesuits? return to Manila from 200 years of expulsion, a blue-chip art auction will be held on Saturday, Oct. 3, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Finale Art File, La Fuerza Compound, 2241 Pasong Tamo, Makati City, to raise 500 new scholarships. Over 75 select artworks by more than 50 of the country?s most established artists, among them Ang Kuikok, Arturo Luz, Romulo Olaza, Lao Lianben, Impy Pilapil and Angelito Antonio, as well as emerging artists will be auctioned. Former Humanities dean Leovino Ma. Garcia, who co-chairs the auction committee with former Central Bank Gov. Jaime Laya, stressed that the auction is ?an excellent opportunity for Ateneo alumni and friends, and art lovers to support a noble cause?to help gifted but financially disadvantaged students become future leaders by getting an Ateneo education.? Readers can view the artworks online at http://ateneoartauction.com. For more information, call 926-6067 or 0917-840-9053.
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The Carmelite Monastery at No. 4, Gilmore, Q.C. is cordially inviting the faithful to its annual Triduum of Masses in honor of St. Therese of the Child Jesus from Tuesday, Sept. 29, to Thursday, Oct. 1, at 6 p.m. daily. There will also be daily distribution of blessed roses and veneration of the saint?s relic.
