Aquino not picking a fight with SC amid Cha-cha comment—Palace

President Benigno Aquino III. AP FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – President Benigno Aquino III said nothing about reducing the powers of the Judiciary, Malacañang clarified on Thursday amid talk of charter change.

“Wala naman po siyang iba pang binanggit na pangungusap na tutungo doon sa sinasabi ninyong direksyon,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. told Palace reporters.

(He did not mention anything that may lead to that assumption.)

Coloma was referring to Aquino’s exclusive interview with News5 where he admitted that he was considering amending the Constitution and was open to a term extension.

During the interview, Aquino pointed out that he was mulling over the issue of judicial reach.

He said the balance among the three branches of government has weakened, especially since Congress and the Executive could easily be checked on by the Judiciary. Aquino’s statements came a month after he assailed the Supreme Court ruling declaring the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) partly unconstitutional.

“Walang kaisipan ang Pangulo na maging palaban o lumikha pa ng hidwaan,” he said.

(The President is not trying to be combative or to create conflict.)

He said Aquino was merely expressing his opinions and that it would be better to wait for the airing of the full interview.

Coloma also said that judicial reach was probably his top-of-mind concern that was why he mentioned it.

The President had earlier complained that the high court ruling affected not only the Executive but also the people benefiting from the DAP-funded projects. He said the decision also create a chilling effect on governance.

Coloma added that Aquino made it clear that he wanted to listen to the voice of the people and perhaps to learn what they also think of the said issue.

During the exclusive interview, Aquino said there were also other constitutional provisions that could be fine-tuned or updated. Aquino said his only worry in the past was that the important provisions could be diluted if the Constitution is opened for amendments.

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