MANILA, Philippines—It’s business as usual for President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. She isn’t worried about Wednesday’s multisectoral rally against the administration’s attempt at Charter change ahead of next year’s national elections.

Ms Arroyo would stick to her usual “activity of governance” in Malacañang during Wednesday afternoon’s rally on Ayala Avenue in Makati City, Cabinet Secretary Silvestre Bello III said Tuesday.

Ms Arroyo will speak at the 8th Filipino-Chinese Friendship Day of the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza in Pasay City at around 11:45 a.m. Wednesday.

“I don’t think so,” Bello told reporters when asked if Ms Arroyo was worried about the rally and its implications. “This happened before… this series of protest actions.”

Civil society and militant groups and the opposition are mounting rallies in several urban centers to protest the hasty approval of House Resolution No. 1109, which seeks to convene a constituent assembly (Con-ass) to amend the Constitution.

The move is seen to lead to an amendment that would either pave the way for a shift to a parliamentary form of government or the extension of Ms Arroyo’s term beyond June 30, 2010.

Second in six months

This will be the second time in six months that Ms Arroyo and her administration would be confronted with a rally against Charter change.

In December last year, about 5,000 protesters also massed up on Ayala Avenue to air opposition to the same resolution, then still a draft and being routed for signature among lawmakers, with the President’s son, Pampanga Rep. Juan Miguel Arroyo, leading the campaign.

Political, business, religious, civil society and militant leaders led the protesters to denounce the administration’s Charter change drive, directing their outrage at Ms Arroyo and calling her names.

That time, Ms Arroyo canceled her trip to Shariff Kabunsuan in Mindanao for security reasons and holed up in Malacañang.

Effect on economy

“Does it affect the economy? It may; it could,” Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ralph Recto said at a briefing.

“Once you have political uncertainty and political instability, that has an economic cost,” he added.

Bello said he doubted that the rallies would reach a tipping point and spark another political upheaval.

“It’s just a matter of listening to what they have against the issue and then … to explain to them what the issue is all about,” he said.

Bello also welcomed the attempt by administration lawmakers to seek a dialogue with bishops and religious leaders on Con-ass.

“That dialogue between congressmen and Church people is a good step to enlighten the public about what this issue is all about,” he said.

Church blamed

In the House of Representatives, a Muslim lawmaker blamed the Catholic Church for the “moral decadence” of Filipinos.

In a statement, Lanao del Norte Rep. Abdullah D. Dimaporo said the Roman Catholic Church has failed “to teach the majority of our people about the moral and right values and not the politician.”

Dimaporo cited the Church leaders’ support for the protest rallies against the Con-ass being pushed by allies of the President in the House.

“The Church should uphold the law and not through barbaric and illegal means. But I doubt if the Church can gather a big crowd. Our people should have now realized the ill effects of EDSA I,” Dimaporo said. With a report from Gil C. Cabacungan Jr.