Aquino needs convincing about need for Charter change—spokesman

MANILA, Philippines – The senators and other administration allies who want the Philippine Constitution amended have to convince President Benigno Aquino III of the merits of such a move, the President’s spokesman said Friday.

Edwin Lacierda said that while the President has no plans of extending his term beyond 2016, his position was that there was no need to amend the Charter.

“I think it’s a matter for the senators and the allies to convince the President. The President right now, while it’s true he has no further political ambitions after the six years, his position remains the same, that there is no need to amend the Constitution,” Lacierda said in the news briefing on Friday afternoon.

“So it will take the senators to ask the President to reconsider his position,” he added.

Lacierda said there would be a meeting between the President and the Charter change proponents among his allies. While no specific date has been set, Lacierda said the meeting would afford Mr. Aquino’s allies an opportunity to express their views on amending the Constitution.