The on-going efforts to amend the Constitution have drawn flak from almost every sector of Philippine society, making one wonder if it will suffer the same fate that earlier efforts at charter change did. Obviously, those in the administration do not think so. But they might have a change of mind with a snowballing opposition confronting them.

It is not really difficult to understand why it is encountering such a groundswell of opposition from a broad section of the populace. Despite all efforts to hide the real agenda behind charter change, the people can see through this latest ploy as GMA’s bid – together with her allies – to hold on to power beyond 2010. That is what is pushing this latest move to amend the Constitution.

Even the pretext of amending only the so-called economic provisions as proposed by House Speaker Prospero Nograles is suspect. For what will prevent the administration from tinkering with other provisions of the Constitution once the amendatory process starts going? Can we really trust our congressmen and Malacanang to “moderate their greed” once the table is set?

Besides, the long-running proposal to amend the economic provisions of the Constitution is really aimed at completing the de-nationalization of the Philippine economy thereby enabling big foreign investors to take-over the strategic sectors of our economy. All this in pursuit of the neo-liberal agenda which is the culprit behind the current world financial turmoil.

But it is really greed, unmoderated greed for political and economic power, that is pushing Malacanang and its allies to move heaven and earth to have the charter changed. By their calculations, whatever opposition there is at the moment can either be bought or threatened into silence or insignificance.

And when push goes into shove, then there is that diabolical plot alluded to by Bro. Eddie Villanueva of the Jesus Is Lord Movement where, due to mounting opposition to this latest Malacanang ploy, widespread chaos in the land can be ignited and amidst such great disorder, emergency rule or martial law can be declared, then prolonged beyond 2010.

This political brinkmanship at a time of deep economic crisis and uncertainty has prompted religious and business leaders to call on GMA to rein in her allies in Congress. If not, even her spiritual adviser, Bro. Mike Velarde of the El Shaddai, threatened to lead street protests against her.

The popular opposition to this latest attempt at charter change will fire their opening salvo on December 12 at the foot of Ninoy Aquino’s monument at Ayala Avenue in Makati. Their leaders are inviting the rest of the citizenry to hold simultaneous protest actions on the same day across the country.

Unless we have been bought or frightened to allow another political dynasty into perpetuity, joining the protest is the right thing to do. #