‘Sayang his pogi points,’ according to many. President Aquino in late March, vetoed the Magna Carta for the Poor, a legislative initiative that will oblige government to immediately provide the basic needs of the poor as soon as the measure is approved and signed by the President of the Republic and becomes law. These needs include the provision of shelter, food, revenue- generating jobs, education and healthcare for the country’s poor now estimated at 25million.
The Magna Carta for the Poor describes the poor as those with incomes falling below the poverty threshold as defined by the National Economic and Development Authority and the National Anti Poverty Commission.
Saddened may be a mild word to describe the reaction of the Magna Carta proponents to the President’s veto- after all, lalo na during these times when most everybody seems to be talking about the poor including some candidates in the May 2013 elections who may insist that ‘it is to give service to the people, especially the poor that they have ventured into running for political office,’ chos!
Proponent Congressman Rodante Marcoleta of partylist Alagad says he was aghast that the whole measure was disapproved. Marcoleta says he would have been okay with the Chief Executive disapproving some provisions of the bill but to totally disapprove the whole Magna Carta for the poor which hopes to guarantee that the poor are provided chances to have a better life is disheartening.
He adds that Congress could have revised and improved the measure per the suggestions and directions of the President. Marcoleta also made mention of the Pope’s call for the world and the church which he now leads to give more attention in alleviating the plight of the poor- the Magna Carta could, Marcoleta says have been the instrument from where the country can plot out the mechanism with which to implement measures for the poor in response to the Pope’s appeal for the marginalized in society.
In vetoing the bill, the Chief Executive naman says ‘hindi kaya’ ng gobyerno to fulfil the mandate set in the Magna Carta as of this time- a Php3.044trillion budget would have to be approved to provide the poor in society with their basic needs right away. Aquino says that as of today, government can only program Php600billion for social housing. This excludes budgets for food, education, jobs and healthcare services.
‘Progressive realization’ of the poor’s rights was the term lacking in the bill- so says the President. This phrase he says, is stated in the International Covenant on Economic Culture and Social Rights. In essence, this phrase allows government the leeway to fulfil its obligations to intended subjects in phases or periods that its project budget would allow.
Therefore, to sign the bill into law knowing that government can not do as the law demands would be deceiving his ‘bosses’, the Filipino people, the President adds.The President says he has directed concerned government officials to draw up a substitute measure for submission to the next Congress.
I can see the Presidential veto on the Magna Carta for the Poor providing a pantirang/ pambanat subject by the opposition in the country. Opening salvo was made by bill co- author Congresswoman Luzviminda Ilagan of partylist Gabriela. ‘Of elitist background’ daw si PNoy that is why he is numb to the needs of the poor. Ilagan adds that the President was unable to see the merits of the propoor legislation because of this.
Can we please give PNoy a break? While tumaas ang aking kilay when he said na di nya nakita yung phrase na ‘progressive realization,’ that could have made the bill more acceptable, I fully understand naman his wish not to deceive the people. Agree ako that the nation will truly hate the man if his leadership will not be able to fulfil the mandate of that measure if it was signed into law.
And by the way, I had hoped that sana, the bill’s authors could have been more practical as they were completing the provisions of the bill- konting pencil- pushing dyan with numbers so that people would know if achievable naman ang bill, sa totoo lang.
I believe that a law that would mandate government to provide full support to the poor to improve his quality of life is needed in this country. I also believe that this law must be crafted mindful of the true situation in this nation so that we will see a more reachable solution to the problems of the poor.
THANK YOU, TORONTO!
