‘Charter change too late in the day’ – lawmaker

Rep. Alfredo Garbin Jr. —PHOTO FROM AKOBICOLPARTYLIST.COM

MANILA, Philippines — It is already “too late in the day” to push for Charter change (Cha-cha) to lift the term limits of elected officials, particularly the president and the vice president, according to a House leader.

Ako Bicol Rep. Alfredo Garbin Jr., chair of the House committee on constitutional amendments, said on Monday that any move to amend political provisions of the Constitution would only be construed as an attempt to favor the interest of those in power.

‘Economic recovery’

“Too late in the day. Besides, any attempt to amend the constitution that involves term limits of elected officials will always be doubted as a move to perpetuate those who are in power,” Garbin told reporters by text.

He suggested that Congress should instead focus on economic amendments, which he said “will bring about the much needed solution to economic recovery.”