Arroyo as PM? Think twice – Lacson

If there are people planning to make Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo the first prime minister of the Philippines, then they must think twice.

On Tuesday, Senator Panfilo Lacson issued a stern warning against any moves to amend the 1987 Constitution that would pave the way for Arroyo’s election as prime minister.

Lacson disclosed that the Senate — whether from the majority and minority— has agreed to “close ranks” to defend and assert its role in revising or amending the Constitution.

“If GMA’s (Arroyo’s initials) ascension to the speakership is a prelude to becoming prime minister, they better think twice because the Senate, both majority and minority have agreed to close ranks to defend and assert our role under the 1987 Constitution in revising or amending the same,” he said in a text message.

“That, I can say with certainty and conviction,” the senator added.

Lacson cited the power grab in the House of Representatives as a “strong argument” against shifting to a parliamentary form of government.

Arroyo, in a surprise move on Monday, suddenly took over the House leadership from then Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez.

“Regardless of whether it was GMA (Arroyo’s initial) or somebody else replacing the ousted speaker, what happened yesterday is a strong argument against a parliamentary form of government where patronage politics plays a major, if not the only role in selecting our country’s top leader,” Lacson said.

The senator described Arroyo taking over the rostrum at the House just minutes before President Rodrigo Duterte’s State of the Nation Address “awkward, ugly, low and disgraceful.”

“If only for the timing and manner it was carried out, I would say it was awkward, ugly, low and disgraceful,” he said.

“In a manner of speaking, even the traditionally symbolic mace was in a maze yesterday at the HOR, not knowing whose authority it would represent between the two contending personalities,” Lacson added.   /kga