EO 464 Revocation?

Three days ago, the president had revoked the Executive Order 464, or known in the Philippines as Executive Previlege. This was made after an intensed call from the Catholic Bishops to abolish said Executive Order in the light of the ZTE Scandal faced today by the government. But what really is EO 464? What is its effect? Does it make a difference now that it was abolished by the president? Is this really the solution?
EO 464 is an executive order issued by the president in the exercise of her inherent powers to answer the problem of too much prosecution of government officials in the Senate or even in House of Representatives. EO 464 mandates all department heads and top officials of the executive branch to get first the permission of the president before they could appear before the congress during legsilative inquiries. Legislative Inquiries is the equivalent of Question hour in parliament where government officials are made to appear before the congress to be asked on questions regarding issues of national concerns. But legislative inquiries is not the powerful compared to the question hour, in the sense that the president has the prerogative to appear or not or to allow his or her top cabinet officials to attend such inquiries. The president has the inherent powers granted upon him/her by no less than the constitution of the Philippines. The president has what we call Executive Previlege. Executive Previlege is the previlege given to the president by the consitution, not to divulge any information regarding military secrets, national security issues, trade secrets and some agreements with other governments. This is accordingly to ensure that there will be no prejudice or derailment that will happen in the course of the conduct of government as it is seen to be for the good of the country.
Now, what is the effect of the abolition of the EO464? Actually, nothing. It is because even without the EO, the president can still prohibit her top government men from appearing before any legislative inquiries. But suppose the president will allow them, as what this revocation of EO means, still, it is not an assurance that the cabinet official who will appear in Senate for example will say everything he knows regarding government matters and answer all the questions that will be thrown to him or her by the congressmen. Again, he can always invoke Executive Previlege as the alter ego of the president, which means he can opt not to answer the question asked on him if he feels that it is covered with the executive previlege. Therefore, in a sense, nothing is changed.
So, what should be the best solution? Well, as Executive Previlege is a right granted to the president by the constitution, she can always waive such right. Meaning, she can direct all her cabinet officials not to raise executive previlege when asked by the legislators. It means that the president can always allow her cabinet officials to answer in the best of their knowledge everything that will be asked to them. This is the very best solution to stop all the questions in the minds of the people regarding the truth about the ZTE Controversy.
If the President is not hiding anything, then it is time for her to let all her cabinte officials who are inflicted in the controversy to go before the senate and face the legislative inquiry without any reservations whatsoever. The truth should come out.

The PHILIPPINES- DeMuKratik!!!

They say that Philippines has one of the best constitutions in the world. Not only does it provide for the fundamentals of the government, but it emphasizes the Rights of each and every Filipino- even foreigners(to some extent). This, as they say, what makes Philippines a democratic country- a country for the people, of the people and by the people.
But that is not the real thing. As a student of law, I have studied Article III of the Philippine Constitution or the Bill of Rights. And I can say that indeed, it is astounding to have such kind of rights vested upon the sovereigns-the people.
But that is the ideal side of the coin. Reality is a different story. The constitution provides for freedom of the people to peaceably assemble, but an assembly of peoeple calling for the resignation of the president is easily dispersed. The reason?-"well they are part of the communist movement."" So disgusting! Another thing is that the Bill of Rights also provides for freedom of speech, of the press and to petition the government for any redress or grievances. But what does the secretary of Justice always say?- We will go after You!
Now, tell me, who in this country will try to exercise their rights if there is this fear of being ran after by the government? Yes, the rights have limitations, but are the people knowledgeable of their rights? How can they exercise these rights? and What are the restictions if there are any? Of course, the government won't bother to educate the people- it would be to their own disadvantage.
The Philippines is democratic in papers, but in practice?- it is really not! Even in the elections, when it is the only time (ideally) that everyone is equal is colored with so much irregularity. How much is your vote is the question. Or worse, life or vote?
No question why so many Filipinos are going out of the country. In fact, those who leave the country want to bring all their family members if only it is possible. The Philippines is DYING!
A famous line from the national hero of the Philippines goes " Ang Kabataan ang Pag-asa ng Bayan" -the youth is the hope of the fatherland. Yes, ideally Yes. But what is the government doing? It deprives more and more Filipino youth and children of education, of a decent life, of a bright future.
In conclusion, I can say that indeed, the Philippines is a democratic country- The government off the people, buy the people and fool the people. May the great Abraham Lincoln realize that his statement has two meanings- whichever is applicable. hehe