Palace: Aquino not buying Belmonte’s view on Charter change
President Benigno Aquino III. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – President Benigno Aquino III does not agree with Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. when it comes to amending the Constitution, Malacañang said Thursday.
“I suppose Speaker Belmonte has a position different from the President,” presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said during a regular press briefing.
Lacierda said Aquino is maintaining his position “that there is no need to amend the economic provisions of the Charter” amid Belmonte’s endorsement of Charter change in the House of Representative.
He reiterated the President’s explanation that the economy is doing well at present, even without constitutional amendments. He also mentioned China, which was often cited by the President as a country that continues to grow despite its prohibition on foreign ownership of land.
Belmonte, a known administration ally, has been pushing for Charter change as a priority measure in the lower house.
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