Palace to ex-CJ Puno: No Cha-cha needed to end political dynasties

Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

A PALACE official dismissed the call of former Chief Justice Reynato Puno to amend the Constitution to end political dynasties.

Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said that while the Palace respects the statement of Puno, there are pending bills in Congress, which seek to end political dynasties.

BACKSTORY: Move to amend Charter in light of BBL takes off

“Ginagalang po natin ang pananaw ni Chief Justice Puno. Sa pagkabatid po natin ay mayroon namang nakasaad sa ating Konstitusyon hinggil sa political dynasty kaya lang ang kulang ay ‘yung enabling act or enabling law. At kung hindi po tayo nagkakamali ay mayroon naman pong naihain na mga panukalang batas hinggil diyan (We respect the view of Chief Justice Puno. We know that there is a provision in the Constitution against political dynasties but it lacks an enabling act or law. And if we are not mistaken, there are pending bills regarding the issue),” Coloma said.

In a speech before pro-Charter change (Cha-cha) supporters on Saturday, Puno said that poverty, corruption, inequality of economic power and elections could also be addressed through amending the Constitution.

Puno led the launch of pro-Cha-cha group Bagong Sistema, Bagong Pag-Asa (New System, New Hope).
Meanwhile, he said that the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) could only be possible through the federal system of government, which is not allowed under the 1987 Constitution.

“Congress cannot give the powers demanded by the BBL without destroying the unitary character of our government, without violating our Constitution,” Puno said.

RELATED STORY

‘Darkness’ threatening PH democracy, ex-CJ Puno warns