Charter change extremely difficult without Aquino backing

MANILA, Philippines—Senator Franklin Drilon is seeking President Benigno Aquino III’s support for Charter change initiative, saying its success lies on the Chief Executive.

“It’s extremely difficult, if not impossible to make amendments to the Constitution without the support of the President,” said Drilon, who belongs to Aquino’s Liberal Party.

The resolution that Drilon said has yet to be drafted would call for the convening of a bicameral constituent assembly composed of members of the Senate and the House of Representatives to start the process of amending certain economic provisions of the Constitution.

“The resolution is just the first step. Without his (Aquino) support we will not be able to push this,” Drilon said.

It was Drilon who presented the convening of the bicameral constituent assembly during last week’s Legislative Summit attended by leaders of the House and the Senate.

But Aquino was cool to the Charter change revival, saying this would not help boost the county’s economy.

Drilon was confident however that the President would change his mind once he hears the ‘substantive’ proposals of the constitutional amendment initiative.

“I’m sure the President has not closed his mind at this point. The latest announcement we heard from Malacañang is that he’s listening . We will exert every effort to convince him that it’s about time that we take a look at the economic provisions of the Constitution,” said the senator.

The advantage of this administration, Drilon said was that Aquino was enjoying high credibility and the trust of the people that he would not benefit in this Charter change initiative.

“He’s not interested in re-election. He does not intend to stay one day longer after June 30 (2016). So this is the best time in my mind that we can take a good look at the Constitution,” Drilon added.