Senators nix Charter change
By Maila Ager
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 13:51:00 11/21/2008
Filed Under: Charter change, Congress, Conflicts (general), Politics
MANILA, Philippines -- (UPDATE) Senators on Friday crossed party lines to oppose the revival of efforts to amend the Constitution.
“No way. Not at this time. I am against it. I will oppose it. It’s dead in the water in the Senate,” said Senator Joker Arroyo in an interview.
Senator Aquilino Pimentel Jr. said the opposition would “man Tirad Pass again” against attempts to rewrite the Charter, referring to the last stand by Filipino hero Gregorio del Pilar against American troops during the Philippine-American War.
Senator Francis Pangilinan said it is clear the initiative being pushed by the administration is not in the interest of the country but of the few people in power.
Pangilinan warned that, this time, people are likely to rise up if the administration insists on tinkering with the Constitution.
“Kung inaakala nila [gobyerno] na kahit basura ang isubo nila sa taumbayan ay lulunukin ito ng basta basta ay nagkakamali sila. Ito ang magiging mitsa ng pag-aalsa laban sa gobyernong Arroyo [If they think the people will eat any garbage they offer, they are wrong. This will be spark an uprising against the Arroyo government],” Pangilinan said in a text message.
Instead of a term extension, as critics claim is the true intention behind Charter change, Pangilinan said Arroyo’s stay in power might even be shortened if she forces the issue.
“They should never underestimate the awesome power of the disenchanted people, who have had enough of bankrupt leadership and governance,” he said.
Arroyo, Pimentel and Pangilinan are all members of the new minority bloc in the Senate.
But aside from Arroyo, two more members of the Senate majority said they strongly opposed Charter change. .
“I am against it, will oppose it, will not allow it,” Senator Francis’ Chiz” Escudero said.
Senator Richard Gordon, chairman of the committee on constitutional amendments, expressed disappointment the president’s son, Pampanga Representative Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo, is helping spearhead Charter change in the House of Representative.
Gordon said this showed the lack of delicadeza (propriety) on the part of the Arroyos.
Senator Manuel Roxas has called on the President to stop her son and allies in the House of Representatives from gathering signatures for the Charter change initiative .
Roxas said the revival of the Charter change initiative might only bring chaos and destruction to the country.
The senator believes the renewed effort to amend the Constitution is part of the President’s last ditch effort to extend her term.
He said the revival of Charter change was like the answer to the prayer of Press Secretary Jesus Dureza, who prayed for the continuation of the President in office beyond 2010.
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