POLITICAL CONCEPTS

The history of the concepts of politics can be equated, as to periods, of the existence of humans in this world. As such, the study of politics is very dynamic because of the continuous changes in the society. From the ancient times, during the reign of the various European states, the rise of the American democracy, the events during the two world wars and the present events in various technological advancements, the study of politics is continually attuning to the constant changes in the society.

Traditionally, politics is defined as the art and science of government. Even today’s students are usually referring to the traditional definition when studying politics. It is very obvious that even with the coming of the most recent and modern definition or view on politics, there are still a number of people viewing politics in its traditional definition. There’s really nothing wrong about this since in the field of public governance, politics is very patent. Our daily existence is affected, directly or indirectly, by the acts of the government.

Consider the following basic concepts of politics:

1. It is the process of making government policies. How the policies came into being, its formulation, its implementation and others.

2. It also includes the decision-making and decision enforcing processes in any group that makes and enforces rules for its members.

3. It also deals with public affairs, that is, the distribution of goods and services to satisfy the demands of the public.

4. Politics is also concerned with conflicts and their resources.

Historically, the term politics had its etymology from the Greek word “polis” which refers to the ancient city-states of which Athens and Sparta were the more prominent.

Finally, the modern day usage denotes a process in the political system in which the goals of that system are selected and ordered in terms of priority in the allocation of resources.

CHARTER CHANGE:COPY OF FULL TEXT AND SIGNATURES OF CONGRESSMEN SUPPORTING

Let us think a million times....

Here's the full text.

House Resolution 1109 (re: Constitutional Amendment or Revision)

(The House of Representatives recently issued a resolution asking that members of Congress — which, in a bicameral set-up, is composed of the Senate and the House of Representatives — convene to consider amendments or revisions of the Constitution. A stated purpose is to highlight a justiciable controversy, to allow the Supreme Court to decide, whether the Constitutional amendment/revision by Congress should be done by both chambers voting separately. Full text of House Resolution No. 1109 )

House Resolution No. 1109

A RESOLUTION CALLING UPON THE MEMBERS OF CONGRESS TO CONVENE FOR THE PURPOSE OF CONSIDERING PROPOSALS TO AMEND OR REVISE THE CONSTITUTION, UPON A VOTE OF THREE-FOURTHS OF ALL MEMBERS OF CONGRESS

WHEREAS, there are proposals to amend or revise the 1987 Constitution, which is presently enforced, but any of such proposals cannot be considered, heard, debated, approved or disapproved, unless any of the modes expressly provided by Article XVII of the present Constitution is adopted;

WHEREAS, adopting a mode of amending or revising the Constitution, as mandated by said Article XVII is a condition precedent, a pre-requisite, before specific proposals to amend or revise the Constitution could be considered by the Members of Congress, convened to exercise the constitutionally ordained power to amend or revise the Constitution.

WHEREAS, there is a recognized distinction between the exercise of legislative powers of Congress from the exercise of the constituent power to amend or revise the Constitution;

WHEREAS, Congress, in the exercise of its legislative power as provided in Article VI of the 1987 Constitution, cannot amend or revise the Constitution, but it is through the exercise of its constituent power under Article XVII, Section 1 of the Constitution that “any amendment to, or revision of the Constitution may be proposed, upon a vote of three-fourths of all its Members”;

WHEREAS, while the prescribed method of enacting constitutional change in the 1935, 1973, and 1987 Constitutions are different from the method of enacting ordinary legislation, there is a very distinct and notable difference between the 1935 and the 1987 Constitution, which respectively provides as follows:

The 1935 Constitution:
“The Congress in joint session assembled, by a vote of three-fourths of all Members of the Senate and of the House of Representatives voting separately may propose amendments to this Constitution or a call a convention for that purpose.”
The 1987 Constitution:
“Any amendment to, or revision of, this Constitution may be proposed by: (1) The Congress, upon a vote of three-fourths of all its Members; or (2) A constitutional convention.”

WHEREAS, it is to be emphasized and underscored that some essential words and phrases in the aforequoted 1935 Constitution were deleted and no longer contained in the aforequoted 1987 Constitution, such that the “amendments by deletion” are as follows:
1. The phrase “in joint session assembled” in the 1935 Constitution was deleted;
2. The phrase that the Senate and the House of Representatives, voting separately” was also deleted;
3. The percentage of voting three-fourths of the respective membership of each House (the Senate and the House of Representatives) treated separately has also been deleted and substituted with a vote of three-fourths of all the Members of Congress (i.e., ¾ of the “members of Congress” without distinction as to which institution of Congress they belong to).

WHEREAS, the intention of the amendments of the 1935 Constitution by deletions of certain words and phrases thereon by the 1987 Constitution are clear and manifest as underscored in the preceding WHEREAS Clauses and by such deletions, the meaning and application of the corresponding provisions of the 1987 Constitution on Amendments and Revision have been changed. There are however oppositors claiming adverse legal interests who claim that, notwithstanding that the express, clear, and unambiguous provision of Article XVII Section 1 of the 1987 Constitution that any amendment to, or revision of the 1987 Constitution that any amendment to, or revision of the 1987 Constitution shall be upon a vote of three-fourths of all the Members of Congress (i.e., not three-fourths of each House voting separately as the oppositors contend), a justiciable controversy involving the active antagonistic assertion of alleged legal rights by the oppositors, on one side, and the denial thereof by the proponents of this Resolution, on the other side, shall ripen for judicial determination as and when this Resolution calling upon the Members of Congress to convene in exercise of its constituent power is filed, heard, and approved.

WHEREAS, while no specific proposals to amend or revise the present Constitution could formally be given due course unless and until this call to convene Members of Congress, as provided herein, is effected. It is hereby pledged and covenanted by the proponents of this Resolution, that by their signatures hereto that whatever constitutional changes may be proposed at the appropriate time, preferably after the constitutional issues may be proposed at the appropriate time, preferably after the constitutional issues of construction and interpretation by the Honorable Supreme Court of the justiciable controversy that may arise shall have been resolved with finality that:
1. The term of office of the incumbent President and Vice-President shall not be extended;
2. The term of office of Senators, Congressmen, Governors, Mayors, and other elected officials whose term of office shall expire in 2010 shall not be extended;
3. The term of office of the twelve (12) Senators who were elected in 2007 for a six (6) year term ending in 2013 shall not be shortened and they shall be allowed to finish their term;
4. That there shall be elections in 2010.

WHEREAS, there is a specific proposal that for the Philippines to be internationally competitive in attracting foreign investments and technology transfers that the economic provisions of the Constitution is proposed to be amended in an appropriate manner, but such specific proposal to amend the present Constitution cannot be formally presented and resolved until the mode for amending or revising the Constitution is convened and made operational through the application of Article XVII of the present Constitution.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, THAT THE MEMBERS OF CONGRESS BE CONVENED FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROPOSING AMENDMENTS TO, OR REVISION OF THE CONSTITUTION UPON A VOTE OF THREE-FOURTHS OF ALL ITS MEMBERS AND THAT UPON ITS BEING CONVENED SHALL ADOPT ITS RULES OF PROCEDURES THAT SHALL GOVERN ITS PROCEEDINGS.
Adopted.

List of those who signed HR 1109:

Vincent P.. Crisologo, Quezon City

Matias V. Defensor, Jr., Quezon City

Mary Ann L. Susano, Quezon City

Nanette Castelo-Daza, Quezon City

Bienvenido M. Abante Jr., Manila

Jaime C. Lopez, Manila

Maria Zenaida B. Angping, Manila

Maria Theresa B. David, Manila

Amado S. Bagatsing, Manila

Daniel R. De Guzman, Marikina City

Marcelino R. Teodoro, Marikina City

Eduardo C. Zialcita, Parañaque City

Henry M. Dueñas, Jr., Taguig

Alvin S. Sandoval, Malabon City-Navotas City

Jose Antonio F. Roxas, Pasay City

Oscar G. Malapitan, Caloocan City

Mary Mitzi L. Cajayon, Caloocan City

Roman T. Romulo, Pasig City

Rexlon T. Gatchalian, Valenzuela City

Magtanggol T. Gunigundo I, Valenzuela City

Manuel S. Agyao, Kalinga

Elias C. Bulut, Jr., Apayao

Mauricio G. Domogan, Baguio City

Samuel M. Dangwa, Benguet

Solomon R. Chungalao, Ifugao

Thomas M. Dumpit Jr., La Union

Victor Franciso C. Ortega, La Union

Arthur F. Celeste, Pangasinan

Conrado M. Estrella III, Pangasinan

Marcos O. Cojuangco, Pangasinan

Victor F. Agbayani, Pangasinan

Ma. Rachel J. Arenas, Pangasinan

Eric D. Singson, Ilocos Sur

Ronald V. Singson, Ilocos Sur

Roque R. Ablan, Jr., Ilocos Norte

Cecilia S. Luna], Abra

Florencio L. Vargas, Cagayan

Manuel N. Mamba, Cagayan

Junie E. Qua, Quirino

Carlo Oliver D. Diasnes, Batanes

Rodolfo T. Albano, Isabela

Edwin C. Uy, Isabela

Jose V. Yap, Tarlac

Jeci A. Lapus, Tarlac

Monica Louise Prieto-Teodoro, Tarlac

Lorna C. Silverio, Bulacan

Pedro M. Pancho, Bulacan

Reylina G. Nicolas, Bulacan

Ma. Victoria Sy-Alvarado, Bulacan

Arturo C. Robes, San Jose del Monte City

Albert C. Garcia, Bataan

Herminia B. Roman, Bataan

Joseph Gilbert F. Violago, Nueva Ecija

Ma. Milagros H. Magsaysay, Zambales

Antonio M. Diaz, Zambales

Aurelio D. Gonzales, Jr., Pampanga

Juan Miguel M. Arroyo, Pampanga

Anna York P. Bondoc, Pampanga

Carmelo F. Lazatin, Pampanga

Danilo E. Suarez, Quezon

Wilfrido Mark C. Enverga, Quezon

Michael John R. Duavit, Rizal

Adeline Rodriguez-Zaldarriaga, Rizal

Angelito C. Gatlabayan, Antipolo City

Roberto V. Puno, Antipolo City

Eileen Ermita-Buhain, Batangas

Mark Llandro L. Mendoza, Batangas

Victoria H.. Reyes, Batangas

Jesus Crispin C. Remulla, Cavite

Elpidio F. Barzaga, Jr., Cavite

Maria Evita R. Arago, Laguna

Edgar S. San Luis, Laguna

Antonio C. Alvarez, Palawan

Carmencita O. Reyes, Marinduque

Eleandro Jesus

F. Madrona, Romblon

Ma. Amelita C. Villarosa, Occidental Mindoro

Rodolfo G. Valencia, Oriental Mindoro

Rizalina Seachon-Lanete, Masbate

Narciso R. Bravo, Jr., Masbate

Antonio T. Kho, MasbateAl

Francis C. Bichara, Albay

Reno G. Lim, Albay

Luis R. Villafuerte, Camarines Sur

Felix R. Alfelor, Jr., Camarines Sur

Diosdado Ignacio Jose Maria Macapagal-Arroyo, Camarines Sur

Joseph A. Santiago, Catanduanes

Jose G. Solis, Sorsogon

Florencio T. Miraflores, Aklan

Genaro M. Alvarez, Jr., Negros Occidental

Jeffrey P. Ferrer, Negros Occidental

Ignacio T. Arroyo, Jr., Negros Occidental

Jose Carlos V. Lacson, Negros Occidental

Alfredo D. Marañon III, Negros Occidental

Raul T. Gonzalez, Jr., Iloilo City

Niel C. Tupas, Jr., Iloilo

Ferjenel G. Biron, Iloilo

Arthur Defensor, Sr., Iloilo

Judy J. Syjuco, Iloilo

Janette L. Garin, Iloilo

Joaquin Carlos Rahman A. Nava, Guimaras

Fredenil H. Castro, Capiz

Roberto C. Cajes, Bohol

Edgardo M. Chatto, Bohol

Pryde Henry A. Teves, Negros Oriental

Pablo P. Garcia, Cebu

Pablo John F. Garcia, Cebu

Ramon H. Durano VI, Cebu

Nerissa Corazon Soon-Ruiz, Cebu

Benhur L. Salimbangon, Cebu

Eduardo R. Gullas, Cebu

Antonio V. Cuenco, Cebu City

Raul V. Del Mar, Cebu City

Roger G. Mercado, Southern Leyte

Eufrocino M. Codilla, Sr., Leyte

Carmen L. Cari, Leyte

Andres D. Salvacion Jr., Leyte

Trinidad G. Apostol, Leyte

Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez,

LeyteReynaldo S. Uy, Samar

Sharee Ann T. Tan, Samar

Teodolo M. Coquilla, Eastern Samar

Paul R. Daza, Northern Samar

Emil L. Ong, Northern Samar

Glenn A. Chong, Biliran

Rosendo S. Labadlabad, Zamboanga del Norte

Cecilia G. Jalosjos-Carreon, Zamboanga del Norte

Cesar G. Jalosjos, Zamboanga del Norte

Victor J. Yu, Zamboanga del Sur

Antonio H. Cerilles, Zamboanga del Sur

Dulce Ann K. Hofer, Zamboanga Sibugay

Vicente F. Belmonte, Jr., Lanao del Norte

Abdullah D. Dimaporo, Lanao del Norte

Rolando A. Uy, Cagayan de Oro City

Marina P. Clarete, Misamis Occidental

Herminia M. Ramiro, Misamis Occidental

Yevgeny Vicente B. Emano, Misamis Oriental

Pedro P. Romualdo, Camiguin

Candido P. Pancrudo Jr., Bukidnon

Franklin P. Bautista, Davao del Sur

Marc Douglas C. Cagas IV, Davao del Sur

Arrel R. Olaño, Davao del Norte

Antonio F. Lagdameo, Jr., Davao del Norte

Isidro T. Ungab, Davao City

Vincent J. Garcia, Davao City

Prospero Nograles, Davao City

Thelma Z. Almario, Davao Oriental

Nelson L. Dayanghirang, Davao Oriental

Rommel C. Amatong, Compostela Valley

Manuel E. Zamora, Compostela Valley

Datu Pax S. Mangudadatu, Sultan Kudarat

Arnulfo F. Go, Sultan Kudarat

Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza, Cotabato

Bernardo F. Piñol, Jr., Cotabato

Glenda B. Ecleo, Dinagat Islands

Philip A. Pichay, Surigao del Sur

Florencio C. Garay, Surigao del Sur

Francisco T. Matugas, Surigao del Norte

Guillermo A. Romarate, Jr., Surigao del Norte

Edelmiro A. Amante, Agusan del Norte

Jose S. Aquino II, Agusan del Norte

Pangalian M. Balindong, Lanao del Sur

Faysah Omaira M. Dumarpa, Lanao del Sur

Yusop H. Jikiri, Sulu

Munir M. Arbison, Sulu

Simeon Datumanong, Maguindanao

Nur G. Jaafar, Tawi-Tawi

Narciso D. Santiago III,

Alliance for Rural Concerns

Edgar L. Valdez, Association of Philippine Electric Cooperatives

Ernesto C. Pablo, Association of Philippine Electric Cooperatives

Robert Raymund M. Estrella, Abono

Nicanor M. Briones, Agricultural Sector Alliance of the Philippines, Inc.