Palace calls for end to Charter change bid

MANILA, Philippines—Out of respect for former President Corazon Aquino, Malacañang Sunday urged its allies in Congress to abandon their efforts to amend the Constitution, a move seen by critics as a way of prolonging the Arroyo administration.

Acting Executive Secretary Gabriel Claudio described as “valid” the proposal first made by Makati Rep. Teodoro “TeddyBoy” Locsin Jr.

“It’s really appropriate that they consider the call earnestly,” Claudio told the Inquirer.

“I’m confident that the members of Congress and all others concerned will consider the call seriously and in the context of the departure of President Cory, as well as in the best interest of our country,” he said in a separate interview over government-run Radyo ng Bayan.

Locsin, Aquino’s press secretary and speech writer, wanted his colleagues in the House of Representatives to withdraw Resolution No. 1109, describing the document as “shameful.”

HR No. 1109 seeks to make amendments to the Constitution through the convening of a constituent assembly (Con-ass) in which the House and the Senate would be considered as one body, not separate, voting as one and thus effectively rendering members of the Senate inutile.

Critics claim Con-ass is aimed at shifting the government to a parliamentary form in order to extend the stay of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Aquino was openly against the resolution, which was approved by the administration-dominated lower house.

During the anti-Charter change (Cha-cha) rally in Makati on June 10, a sick Aquino sent a scathing message against HR No. 1109, which was read by her grandson Kiko Dee.

“Here we are again in the midst of the shameful abuses of the powerful that seek to destroy our sacred laws,” she said in Filipino.

“Over the years, I have learned to endure pain and sadness,” she said. “But perhaps, there is nothing that causes me greater pain than to see our people betrayed again and again by those they have elected to lead and serve them. To those of us who fought long and hard to restore our democracy, the pain deepens at the thought that all our gains have so quickly been eroded.”

The message was considered Aquino’s strongest ever against the latest move to change the Constitution.

Malacañang insisted that it had nothing to do with the campaign spearheaded by Ms Arroyo’s elder son, Pampanga Rep. Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo.

But her detractors were convinced it had the blessings of Ms Arroyo herself and should be seen in the context of her frequent visits to Pampanga, (the second district of which she was said to be eyeing to represent in the next Congress).

They believe she was preparing the groundwork for a possible congressional run in the 2010 elections as one avenue to keep herself in power. Critics fear she could become prime minister under a parliamentary government.

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