MANILA, Philippines -- Speaker Prospero Nograles has acknowledged that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo might continue her stay in power beyond 2010 under a parliamentary form of government, but was quick to add that it would be ?anybody's ball game.?

"If we adopt a parliamentary system of government, I think everybody is qualified to run, ? even former president Fidel Ramos can run, [former president] Corazon Aquino can run, [former president] Joseph Estrada can run . . . ,? Nograles said at the forum of the Manila Overseas Press Club late Wednesday.

But Nograles said that the elections by then would be "anybody's ball game."

"As you know after 2010, you cannot be sure who will be the Prime Minister or who will be the President under a parliamentary form of government. It is really anybody's ballgame. You cannot be sure, you mean to say, just because you were a former president or whoever you are you are assured [of power]. I believe nobody is really sure of anything when it comes to elections," Nograles said.

Nograles dispelled speculations that the amendment to the Constitution was being initiated to extend the term of office of the President.

While it is possible, Nograles said it was "not probable because in the committee on constitutional amendments, there is nothing, no bill or resolution or piece of paper that seeks to extend the term of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo."

Side-by-side with efforts to consult the public on Charter change, the House committee on constitutional amendments will go on full gear in tackling bills calling for the amendment of the Constitution.

House committee on constitutional amendments chairman Representative Victor Ortega said the committee has scheduled a hearing on Tuesday.

He said the committee has been meeting regularly to discuss the various proposals for Charter change.

Nograles said that "there is no better time than now" to discuss Charter change to finally resolve the issue.

"At least if we discuss it now ? the people who are running for president in 2010 know that their term limits may be cut short because of Charter change. ? at least they know what they are facing when they file their certificates of candidacy," he said.

Despite criticisms for the revival of Charter change, Nograles said that "in my watch, I think I will bite the bullet."

He said postponing discussions on it would not help the country.

Last month, Arroyo signaled the revival of Charter change by saying she favored federalism to resolve the bloody Moro war for self-rule in Mindanao.

Then Press Secretary Jesus Dureza said Arroyo was supporting a Senate resolution introduced by Minority Floor Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. seeking to turn the two chambers of Congress into a constituent assembly to amend the 1987 Constitution and adopt a federal system of government.