Palace on Cha-Cha: Let solons, allies sway President Aquino

Senators and other administration allies that seek to have the Constitution amended have to convince President Aquino of the correctness of their position, according to Malacanang.

Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said on Friday that while it was true that President Aquino had no plans of extending his term beyond—which could only happen if the Constitution were amended—he still remained certain that there was no need for re-writing the Charter.

Lacierda was reacting to pronouncements attributed to Sen. Franklin Drilon, a party official of President Aquino’s Liberal Party, that now was the best time to pursue Charter change because the Chief Executive was not interested in staying a moment longer in office after his term ended in 2016.

Even as he stated this, Lacierda went on to tell reporters: “I think it’s up to the senators and the allies to convince the President. The President’s position remains the same, that there is no need to amend the Constitution. So the senators have to ask the President to reconsider his position.”

Lacierda said a meeting between the President and Charter change proponents among his allies was on the pipeline. He said no specific date had been set, but the occasion would present an opportunity for the allies to express their views on Cha-cha.

“Let me check the schedule. I’m certain that the allies and the President will meet but as to the schedule, there’s still no clarification,” Lacierda said. “(The) President has already mentioned that he will listen to the allies and discuss (Charter change).”