NR0202: No to Cha cha

Mula sa Tanggapan ni Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran
News Release February 2, 2005


Rep. Beltran slams moves to amend Constitution, says proponents committing
treason and aiding in the economic destruction of the country

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today said that the House of
Representatives' moves to amend the 1987 Constitution will only exacerbate the
already mounting political tension in the country that's a direct result of
the continuously worsening economic crisis.

"The Macapagal-Arroyo administration and its allies in Congress are playing with
fire by seeking to amend the Charter at this juncture. There is no doubt in any
one's mind that the motives behind the campaign to monkey with the Charter is
in aid of foreign investors and the multilateral finance agencies such as the
IMF and the ADB's demand to remove all remaining legal barriers and
restrictions to complete economic liberalization. In short, Malacanang and its
allies want to destroy all protective restrictions remaining and assist foreign
investors in their whole-hog plunder of the country's resources."

"What will Malacanang and its allies get in return for performing this
perfidious task? Longer perpetuation in power, for one; and for another, a
greater share in the economic spoils of the country. They want to strip the
country dry," he said. Already, Beltran said, the Supreme Court has ruled in
finality regarding the 'legality" of the Mining Act. "What's next? The removal
of the 60-40 balance between Filipino and foreign ownership of sensitive
businesses in the major line industries of the country. The proponents of the
Cha-cha might as well cut the Filipino flag to shreds as they're surrendering
all economic patrimony and territorial sovereignty to outsiders."

The veteran labor leader said that the motives behind the Charter amendments
were treasonous in nature. "This is worse than all the tax measures combined!
Not only is there no genuine consultation regarding this matter, the impact on
the economic welfare and political well-being of all Filipinos will be
cataclysmic. Removing all legal restrictions on the economy to accommodate the
demands of big foreign and local business will leave the Filipino people at the
complete mercy of these business vultures. At this juncture in the country's
history when the incumbent president is desperate to accumulate funds for her
floundering government, the Cha cha is akin to a big business transaction --
and the Philippines' entire wealth of natural resources and manpower are being
used as collateral."

Beltran said that Anakpawis solons as well as the solons of Bayan Muna and
Gabriela Women's Party will oppose all proposed amendments to the Constitution
that will make it possible for foreign big business to take-over major
industries and services such as health and media."Neither will we condone the
full return of US military forces in the country and the re-establishment of
their bases. This is an almost certain thing if the Constitution is amended
because US investors will demand the deployment of US troops in the areas
where they have investments." #