House minority vows to block ‘Cha-cha,’ Aquino term extension

Bayan Muna Representative Neri Colmenares. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–The minority bloc at the House of Representatives on Wednesday assured that it would block any effort to amend the Constitution and extend the term of President Benigno Aquino III.

“We will actively oppose Charter change. We will oppose it openly and call on the public to oppose it,” Bayan Muna Representative Neri Colmenares said during a press briefing at the House of Representatives.

Colmenares said amending the constitution would not solve the country’s problem but would only prolong the people’s suffering on high unemployment rate, poverty, hunger and corruption among others.

Aquino, in an exclusive TV interview, said he was now open to amending the constitution only to clip the powers of the Supreme Court, which has collided with the executive over its decision to declare parts of the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) unconstitutional.

He, however, said he has to listen to the clamor of his “bosses,” the Filipino people, on a possible second term.

“There is no clamor from the people for Aquino’s term extension,” Colmenares said, citing the people would not want to continue their sufferings under his administration.

This was supported by Anakpawis Representative Fernando Hicap, saying “the people are becoming more discontent with Aquino’s presidency.”

“Pushing for term extension is one of the many desperate attempts of the Liberal Party to evade accountability and maintain business as usual in Malacañang,” Hicap said.

Colmenares, meanwhile, mentioned that no resolution yet has been filed to amend the constitution and lift the President’s term limit except for amending its economic provisions through a resolution earlier filed by House Speaker Feliciano “Sonny” Belmonte.

Gabriela Women’s Party Representative Luz Ilagan said the efforts spent on pushing for Charter change would be better spent on more urgent bills that can bring relief to the people.

Under the 1986 Constitution crafted under the presidency of Aquino’s late mother, former President Corazon Aquino, the president is entitled only to a one six-year term in office.

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