MANILA, Philippines—President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's chief political adviser rejected former Senate president Franklin Drilon's observation that efforts to rewrite the Constitution would intensify in the run up to the 2010 elections.

"I disagree with the prognosis of former Senator Drilon that cha-cha [Charter change] efforts will intensify as we near 2010," Secretary Gabriel Claudio said in a statement.

On the contrary, he said preparations for the polls would "generate excitement" next year and would "drown out any moves for, or speculations about Charter change."

Claudio acknowledged the administration coalition’s silence on its plans for 2010 was "adding to the opposition's paranoia" that charter change was being readied to extend Arroyo's term.

"The silence of the administration regarding its preference for the presidential election, including the criteria and selection process it will employ is a matter of strategic timing," he said.

"We do not want it to be so premature as to make the administration coalition politically vulnerable and at the same time, distract the nation from the urgent issues of governance, especially at this time of global financial turmoil," he said.