Aquino shuns Charter change as more LP members joining bandwagon

President Benigno Aquino III. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – President Benigno Aquino III means what he says when it comes to Charter change, Malacañang said Wednesday.

Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda asserted that the President is against the amendment of the Philippine Constitution, despite his statements contradicting the actions of his allies in Congress.

“We know the position of the President,” Lacierda insisted. “He is not in favor of Charter change.”

The statement came a day after administration ally Senator Ralph Recto called on his colleagues to begin tackling possible amendments to the Constitution, raising further speculations that the Charter change campaign has the backing of Aquino.

At the House of Representatives, Liberal Party stalwart Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. is at the helm of attempts to change the ownership provisions of the 1987 Philippine Constitution.

Lacierda said Aquino would gladly discuss his views against the Charter change with Belmonte.

The President has repeatedly signified his opposition to the proposed amendments, saying the country’s ownership rules do not need tweaking to spur economic growth. He said even without foreign ownership, other countries like China have been able to prosper.

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