Senate of the Philippines. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / EDWIN BACASMAS
MANILA, Philippines–Senators were shocked, some were “doubtful” over the reported openness of President Benigno Aquino to amend the Constitution and extend his term.
“Nagulat ako, hindi ko inaasahan ‘yun,” Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero, an administration ally, and close friend of the President, said in an interview over DWIZ.
(I was surprised. I did not expect that)
“Marahil lumalabas lamang ang Cha-cha (Charter change) talaga ‘pag patapos na ang term ng isang pangulo para hindi sya maging lame duck para ika nga ‘uy may tsansa pa syang ma-extend, ‘wag muna nating balewalain’ kaya usually nagkakaroon ng usaping Cha-cha sa pagtatapos ng termino ng sinumang pangulo bagama’t hindi naman talaga seryorso, at hindi naman gagawin,” he said.
(Maybe this issue on Cha-cha comes out when the term of a president is about to end so that he would not look like a lame duck, so people would say, ‘he still has a chance to extend his term so let’s not take him for granted’ that’s why usually there are talks of Cha-cha everytime the term of the president ends though it’s not really serious.)
As far as he knows, Escudero said, Aquino has been counting his days in office.
“…So itong bagay na ito ay bago sa akin,” said the senator.
(So this thing is new to me)
Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito, an opposition member, said it would be “surprising” if indeed the President was entertaining the idea of amending the Charter and extending his term.
“If its PNoy (Aquino) entertaining the thought now, that is really surprising. I hope he remembers why his mother wanted only a one-term president and did not even think of re-election,” Ejercito said in a text message, referring to the late President Corazon Aquino.
While he is in favor of amending the Constitution to tackle certain economic provisions only, he said he would oppose efforts to revise its “political component.”
“LP must remember the democratic essence of Edsa (People Power) that includes a six-year term limit for the President,” Ejercito said.
“Those who are urging President Aquino to extend his term should refrain from doing so, to spare the President from the people’s anger over this issue. Maawa naman kayo sa pinaglaban ni Cory! (Have mercy on what Cory fought for!),” he added.
Meanwhile, another opposition member, Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, expressed doubt that Aquino would seek a term extension.
“I seriously doubt if the President will cross the legacy of President Cory,” Sotto said in another text message.
He said he was “doubtful,” recalling Cory Aquino’s words when she was discouraging then President Fidel Ramos from pushing Charter Change.
“President Cory said: ‘Eddie, do not believe people around you who say you are indispensable’ or words to that effect,” Sotto said.
Senator Nancy Binay, also an opposition member, also believes the President would honor what his parents “stood and died for.”
“PNoy witnessed history from the point of view of his parents. Senator Ninoy and President Cory fought a regime that believed it had the sole franchise to make the country great. PNoy would honor what his parents stood and died for by continuing their crusade,” Binay said.
“I am praying na hindi dudungisan ni PNoy ang pangalan ng mga magulang n’ya para lang mapagbigyan ang mga taong medyo walang pagasang manalo sa isang malinis na eleksyon,” she further said.
(I am praying that Aquino will not tarnish the names of his parents just so he can accommodate people who have no chance of winning in a clean election.)