By Florangel Rosario Braid
THE President had apparently sent mixed signals during her keynote speech before an international gathering at the 40th anniversary of the Asian Development Bank. She said that there is need to pursue with vigor the goal of overhauling the Constitution. But she also acknowledged that there should be a "unified national consensus on the means and timetable." The question is — Who determines when it is the appropriate time? Even Presidential adviser, Mike Defensor warns that carrying such a plan before the May 2007 election would be courting disaster. And what is this about launching another People’s Initiative? This time, it is ULAP led by its president, Samar Governor Ben Evardone at the helm.
I think we have had enough tension and distraction over these past months. Can we please give the people a respite especially during the Christmas season?
Can’t help commenting on the hoax played on some people who attended the "Watch and Pray" rally sponsored by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines and other religious groups at the Luneta Grandstand last Sunday. It was a bad joke even during an April Fools or Innocents’ Day. This was in the form of hundreds of "bogus stubs" stating that Senator Franklin Drilon was going to distribute five kilos of rice, grocery items and R250 in cash to those who attended the rally. Some 100 persons went to the Senate after the rally only to be told that they were victimized.
A lot has been said about the prayer rally. Some think that the leaders should have been more forthright instead of appearing "timid or confused." That it should have had a more charismatic leader like the late Cardinal Sin. But I think we should not put much blame on the CBCP for the poor turnout and for failing to evoke a more emotional response. The timing was not right. The announcement by the majority in Congress that Charter change has been archived had doused initial enthusiasm. Speculation about terrorist threats and putting the police on red alert — these were enough to keep many away. It was also the last Sunday before Christmas and this may have directed those who have not done their Christmas shopping to turn to the malls.
Anyway, there seems to be a growing feeling that a Con-Con should take place after the tenure of President Arroyo. As the Liberal Party and other civil society groups say, consensus can never be built without trust and credibility.
A piece of legislation that is of importance to all is Senate Bill 2263 which the President had certified as urgent. Senator Mar Roxas is principal author of the bill which seeks to amend the laws on patents, trade names and trademarks to lower prices and increase access to supply of quality drugs and medicines. The bill which is co-authored with Sen. Pia Cayetano is now the subject of floor debates. If approved, it would amend the provisions of the Intellectual Property Code and promote greater competition in the local pharmaceutical market in three ways: (1) Giving the generic companies more time to develop and get ready their own generic version of patented medicines; (2) Allowing the private sector to bring into the country medicine from other countries where it is more affordable; and (3) Government can compulsorily license others to manufacture medicines as an immediate response to public health demands, or do it by itself.
This is indeed good news to all — especially senior citizens who even with the 20 percent discount they now enjoy find to their dismay that a large amount of their retirement savings are spent on medicines and health care. A merry Christmas and a blessed new year to all. My e-mail is florbraid@yahoo.com
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