Government MPs and senators set the stage for confrontation with the Constitutional Court by refusing to accept that it has the power to decide whether to halt an amendment to Article 68 of the charter, reasoning that Parliament has the authority to amend the provision.
Government whip chairman Amnuay Klangpa led a group of 20 government MPs and senators to call a press conference to explain about the 10-page open letter signed by 312 parliamentarians expressing their intention not to bow to the Constitutional Court's authority.
The Pheu Thai Party had earlier resolved to boycott the Constitutional Court by refusing to give their testimonies before the court.
Article 68 of the Constitution allows the public to complain directly to the court regarding acts that could undermine the constitutional monarchy or grab power through unconstitutional means.
The amendment would require complaints to be made first through the Office of the Attorney-General, a move viewed by a petitioner as depriving the public of its right to raise issues in the court.
The open letter would be distributed to all independent agencies, educational institutes and judges except the Constitutional Court.
Pheu Thai Yasothorn MP Peerapan Palusuk said that if the Constitutional Court insisted on ruling on Article 68, its verdict would not be legally binding.
Meanwhile, Pheu Thai Party deputy spokesman Anusorn Iamsa-ard filed a petition with the Constitutional Court, asking it to review its decision to disqualify Pheu Thai Party MP Jatuporn Promphan.
The court ruled last year that Jatuporn had lost his MP status because he was under detention, causing him to also lose his membership of the Pheu Thai Party as per the Political Party Act.
Appointed Senator Paiboon Nititawan, former senator Jermsak Pinthong and Komsan Pokong, meanwhile, filed a petition with the Constitutional Court. They accused former premier Thaksin Shinawatra of violating Article 68 of the Constitution by assuming power to run the country without legitimacy and accused 238 Pheu Thai Party MPs of violating Article 122 by carrying out their duties under Thaksin's control.
They submitted evidence, which included 12 video clips, two interviews and 17 media reports that showed Thaksin instructing the Pheu Thai Party to amend the charter, and pass amnesty bills and reconciliation bills, including legislation for the Bt2-trillion loan bill.
The group requested the court to issue an order that Thaksin stop carrying out all activities regarded as illegally acquiring power to run the country.
They also called on the court to declare the on-going charter amendment null and void because the move was carried out under Thaksin's thumb.
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Article source: http://www.thethailandlinks.com/2013/05/03/lawmakers-vow-to-reject-court-ruling-on-article-68/
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