MANILA, Philippines -- Senator Panfilo Lacson, one of the 12 senators who introduced the federalism bill in the Senate, threatened to withdraw his signature from the bill now that Malacañang is planning to use it to amend the Constitution so that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo could extend her term of office.

"While I'm biased in favor of federalism -- kaya [that's why] I affixed my signature the Senate resolution being proposed by Nene [Aquilino Pimentel] -- nais ko lamang marinig ang talakayan tungkol dito [I just want to hear debates on this]," he explained.

"Ngayong inamin ng Palasyo na ito ang gagamitin ni GMA [Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo] para i-amend ang Charter sa pamamaraang con-ass ay maaaring mag-withdraw ng signatures ang maraming senador sa resolution. Kasama na ako dun [Now that the Palace has admitted that GMA will use it to amend the Charter through constituent assembly, a lot of the senators who affixed their signatures are likely to withdraw their signatures. I am one of them]," he added.

Aside from Lacson, the other senators who sponsored the bill were Senate Minority Floor Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr., and Senators Edgardo Angara, Rodolfo Biazon, Pia Cayetano, Juan Ponce-Enrile, Francis Escudero, Jose ?Jinggoy? Estrada, Gregorio Honasan, Francis Pangilinan, Ramon ?Bong? Revilla Jr., and Senate President Manuel Villar.