Video by INQUIRER.net’s Ryan Leagogo
MANILA, Philippines–Senate President Franklin Drilon on Thursday confirmed that he had endorsed a meeting among Liberal Party (LP) members to discuss the issue of Charter change.
However, he said it would also tackle President Benigno Aquino III’s decision not to push through with a second term.
“(Budget) Secretary (Florencio) Abad suggested that a meeting should be held (and) I endorsed that,” Drilon told media after a mass for the late Ninoy Aquino at the Manila Memorial Park in Parañaque.
Senate President Franklin Drilon. RYAN LEAGOGO/INQUIRER.net
He said there is no schedule yet.
Asked what they would discuss, he said, “Para liwanagin na talagang ang sabi nga ng Pangulo ay hindi nga s’ya interesado sa second term.”
(To clarify that what the President said was that he is not interested in a second term.)
“Hindi s’ya interesado doon sa pag-amyenda ng saligang batas during his term so para matapos din (‘yung usapin),” Drilon added.
(He is not interested in amending the Philippine Constitution during his term so the issue should stop there.)
Drilon said he believes Aquino is “averse to a second term.”
Meanwhile, he said their agreement at Congress was to let the House of Representatives push through with their resolution on amending the economic provisions of the Constitution.
“Kung matapos nila maipasa nila, dadalhin sa Senado,” he said.
(If they are able to approve it, it will be brought to the Senate.)
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