No amount of public assurance by Speaker Prospero Nograles and Camarines Sur Luis Villafuerte, authors of separate resolutions calling for amendments to the Constitution, will make the people believe that all these frantic moves have nothing to do with making sure that Arroyo continues to be in power, in whatever form or position, so that they also can continue enjoying the protection and privileges of being aligned with her.

Last Monday, Nograles pushed for the approval of his House Bill 737 seeking to amend the economic provisions which limits foreign ownership of corporations involved in exploration, development, and utilization of natural resources to 40 per cent.

The alarming aspect of the Nograles bill is the "innovative" manner he wants the amendment to be done. He said HB 737 should be treated as an ordinary legislation in which the House and the Senate vote on its merits separately. But, he said, instead of a simple majority which is the procedure in ordinary legislation, his bill would require three fourths of both legislative chambers.

What kind of animal is this bill?

The Constitution provides only three modes to amend: a constitutional provision: A constitutional convention; people’s initiative; and Constituent Assembly (Congress, upon three votes of all its members).

Congress has not convened itself into a Constituent Assembly because the Senate will not agree, So why is Nograles pushing for revisions in the Constitution?

Akbayan representative Risa Hontiveros asked, "If it is not a Con-con, not a people’s initiative and not a Con-Ass, then it is a constitutional abnormality. It would be tantamount to creating a constitutional abomination."

She said there was a clear distinction between the legislative powers of Congress and its constitutional powers. "To blur this distinction is already in itself a constitutional violation," Hontiveros said.

Makati Mayor Jejomar C. Binay, who is also president of the (dis)United Opposition sees through Nograles game plan. ""Bringing the issue of Charter Change to the Supreme Court was the game plan all along. What we are witnessing is a script being played out by Lakas and Kampi."

Binay expects Villafuerte, president of Gloria Arroyo’s Kampi and who has proposed a Senate-less Constituent Assembly to question the Nograles formula, and will most likely bring the matter to the Supreme Court.

"It seems that the posturing and the public bickering were all for media consumption only. The Arroyo allies in the House are united in bringing the issue of Cha-Cha to the Supreme Court where they hope to get a sympathetic ruling."

The present composition of the Supreme Court is dominated by justices seen to be protective of Arroyo outnumbering those perceived to be independent-minded like Chief Justice Reynato Puno and Justice Antonio Carpio.

Arroyo will be appointing new justices this year. Binay said House allies of Arroyo are confident that the Supreme Court will rule in favor of their Con-Ass proposal." Once such a ruling is secured, there is no stopping congressmen from extending the term of Mrs. Arroyo or shifting to a parliamentary form of government where Mrs. Arroyo can serve as prime minister, "he said.

Actually, at this point in time, Gloria Arroyo can do anything she wants.

A Pulse Asia survey conducted last February showed that 51 percent of Filipinos are of the opinion that the postponement or cancellation of the May 2010 elections will cause much trouble in the country. Twenty-seven percent do not believe cancellation of the election will cause any trouble while 21 percent are ambivalent on the matter.

Pulse Asia describes those who are warning of trouble if elections do not push through as a "bare majority." Not substantial. If you combine those who believe nothing will happen and those who not care, they make up for 48 per cent. Not a small number.

Arroyo and her gang probably see the numbers as not overwhelming and that they can easily manage it. That’s why Nograles and Villafuerte keep on saying that there will be elections in 2010. They do not say that it would be under a new Constitution that would lift the term limit of presidents and would allow Gloria Arroyo to participate in the elections again. They do not say that it would be an election under a parliamentary form of government. Basta may elections.

Prepare for Arroyo forever.