assignment: chacha and 3rd debate obama-mccain

Should the Philippines change the 1987 Constitution?



Philippines refers to the political and other related processes involved in amending or revising the current 1987 Constitution of the Philippines. Under the current constitution there are three modes of which it could be amended : people’s initiative (PI), constituent assembly(Con-Ass) and constitutional convention ( Con-con). All three would lead to a referendum wherein the proposed amendment/s or revision/s has to be approved by the majority of Filipinos in order to be adopted.

In my own point of view, there’s no point changing the constitution.
Why try and revive it? What is the reason for changing the Constitution at this particular time? I believe that there’s no necessity, no benefits to be gained from it and it’s not practical to change the constitution at present and there’s no compelling reasons. There are many proposals from the house of representatives and the senate regarding this matter as we heard in the televisions, as we can read in the newspapers, etc. What maybe the motives behind this? This is all part of the power game, which is really annoying and very tiring. Instead of changing the constitution, they will implement law on the constitution’s ban on political dynasties and another law abolishing the pork barrel. Because a lot of good can already come to the people if these two laws are enacted, since they are the twin causes that prevent any meaningful change from happening in this country. That is why we all know instinctively in our hearts that this is just wishful thinking and it would take a major miracle for these laws to be enacted. It’s very obvious that Congress is peopled with heirs of landed dynasties who will use their positions to keep their big estates. And they are even using people’s money, their pork barrel, to keep themselves in power. Instead, they should focus on the economic crisis in our country today because that’s our main problem.

“Senator Miriam Defensor – Santiago said that she is “deeply skeptical” about the proposed charter change for shifting to a federal system, describing it as “ a radioactive minefield”. She said that since there is no genuine public clamor, but only a clamor from certain local government officials, the Supreme Court will
“ most likely” declare the new cha-cha initiative unconstitutional.” If the intent is to solve the Muslim problem in Mindanao, it is redundant, because Muslim leaders have already rejected federalism as a response to their demands. It is artificial to the Philippines, because federalism in other countries is driven by diversity in governments and cultures, particularly ethnic majorities which does not apply in the same degree to the Philippines. The Philippines is a tiny archipelago that has always been homogeneous, except for certain Muslim provinces. Federalism works only for regions or states that are heterogeneous, she said.
Santiago added that if there will be charter change this year, she will propose a minimum educational requirement for all elective candidates for public office, beginning with the President, down to barangay chair.

The solution, therefore, is political, specifically the political will to make changes that would effectively provide for an equitable sharing of this country’s wealth. If there are changes made by the congress it should be treated equally to the underprivileged and to those who are privileged class.




Word count = 558


Do the 3rd Presidential Debate of Obama and McCain meet the academic standards for arguments? Explain.




"Present your case," says the Lord. "Bring forth your strong reasons," says the King of Jacob. Isaiah 41:21


In my own opinion, it is a big NO, because most of the debate I encountered the speakers should present their arguments intent on persuading one another. The debater learns the need of proving his statements; of supporting every statement with valid evidence and sound reasoning- and he/she learns to demand the same sort of proof for the statements of others. Debater learns to present ideas in a clear and effective manner and in a way which wins others to his way of thinking. In a word, the essential point in any debating situation is that of convincing the listener that your side of the proposition is desirable….:)