TAGBILARAN CITY, Philippines–Boholanos opposed to amending the Constitution through a constituent assembly (con-ass) have found a way to stay fit while expressing their sentiments against House Bill 1109.

Starting last July 1, members of the Boholanos Against Constitutional Assembly (Bacona) launched “Exercise against Con-ass,” a fitness session every Wednesday and Saturday at Plaza Rizal in Tagbilaran City.

“Express your rage against GMA’s con-ass, join Exercise against Con-ass,” said a text message passed around by Bacona members. GMA is President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s initials.

Bacona, a loose alliance of 50 people’s organizations, said the fitness activity will continue into the run-up to Arroyo’s state-of-the-nation address on July 27.

Bacona, vaccine in the vernacular, is the Boholanos’ response to the virus that is con-ass, said convener John Ruiz, the secretary general of Bayan-Bohol.

Organizers urge participants to wear white t-shirts with red armbands or headbands to distinguish themselves from other early morning fitness advocates.

According to Ruiz, only 30 people showed up for the initial session but this did not come as a surprise.

“We intend to intensify the campaign in schools and other institutions to increase awareness and participation (in the activity),” Ruiz said.

During Wednesday’s initial activity, participants performed a tai-chi routine led by Fr. Hipolito Namocatcat, a 72-year-old member of the Tagbilaran clergy.

Namocatcat, a retired Armed Forces of the Philippines chaplain, studied tai-chi and shao-lin in his younger days.

Tai-chi is practiced for a variety of reasons but is increasingly popular for health and longevity considerations. It is well-known for its slow motion routines that groups of people practice together every morning in parks in different parts of the world.

Con-ass foes however have added a different dimension to the twice-weekly exercise in Tagbilaran.

“Through this, we are not only performing physical exercise but exercising our political rights at the same time,” Ruiz said.

After their 30-minute tai-chi moves, participants can either take a walk or jog to their next destination depending on the individual’s physical condition and subject to availability of time.

The participants take the occasion to distribute leaflets to people along the way while walking or jogging.

“The main objective of the activity is to heighten educational awareness among our people particularly on the issue of GMA’s con-ass,” Ruiz said.

While keeping fit, Bacona advocates also get to express their sentiments on the moves to amend the Constitution.

Ruiz said that in the coming sessions, the participants plan to visit the residences of Boholano congressmen Edgar Chatto, Roberto Cajes and Adam Relson Jala.

“We would appreciate it if they will participate in debates that we expect the student groups to initiate,” Ruiz added.

Debates over con-ass have revealed cracks in the ruling Lakas-Kampi in Bohol.

Bohol’s two top officials are at odds with the three congressmen who all voted in favor of con-ass.

Gov. Erico Aumentado believes that a constituent assembly consisting of House members alone would violate the Constitution.

A former House deputy speaker who is serving the last of his three terms as governor, Aumentado added that the issue needs to be voted upon in a plebiscite.

Vice Gov. Julius Caesar Herrera has declared that while he favors certain constitutional amendments, this should be done only through a Constitutional Convention and after the 2010 elections. He described House Bill 1109 as “self-serving.”

Aumentado, Herrera and the three congressmen are all members of Lakas-Kampi.

Ruiz recalled that during the organizing stage, the Bacona convenors made it clear that they did not want the group to be accused of engaging in partisan political activity.

“The primary objective of this activity is to generate awareness among the people of the evils of the con-ass and to challenge them to get involved,” Ruiz added.