The Way It Is

It is this power which proponents of Barangay Ayala Alabang Ordinance No. 1 is rumored to be planning to employ. With the strong possibility that the barangay council will withdraw or water down the ordinance because of the iron-clad arguments against it, they are looking for ways to circumvent the barangay council and hopefully pass the ordinance through their direct action.

The proponents are correct that they can use this avenue of passing an ordinance. It is provided for in the Constitution and an implementing law was passed by Congress. But it is still not an avenue without obstacle.

Proponents have touted it as a “model legislation”, one that may be copied or adopted by other barangays across the country. Indeed, the proposed barangay ordinance did break into new ground, although it might not necessarily be a model of good legislation.

In fact, it is my opinion that the proposed ordinance is flawed, and replication by other barangays around the country will only result in the perpetuation of those flaws. Of course, the people will not be helpless since insistence on its passage and implementation will only result in a legal challenge which I am confident will turn against the ordinance.

It seems that those opposing the Reproductive Health Bill are already feeling the pressure of what appears to be the passage of the controversial legislation which has pitted the Catholic Church against not only progressive-minded legislators but even its own members of the faith.

At a recent hearing on the bill at the House of Representatives, one congressman has raised the threat of impeachment against President Noynoy Aquino if the bill passes into law.

The congressman, who was once a spokesperson for former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, stressed that the use of abortifacients is illegal and against the constitution and argued that if the bill passes into law, President Aquino may be impeached for culpable violation of the Constitution. (You can read about it here)