Satur says plot to keep Arroyo in power alive

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Philippines—Bayan Muna Representative Satur Ocampo has appealed for continued vigilance against efforts pushing President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to stay longer in power, saying the President and her allies have not given up even on the smallest of options to prolong her political reign.

Speaking in a forum here on Tuesday, Ocampo said the opposition to any form of constitutional change should continue because while the proponents of Charter change, through constituent assembly (Con-ass) and constitutional convention (Con-con), may appear to have slowed down their efforts or are divided, Malacañang has “not explicitly stated” where it stands on the issue.

In Congress, he said the percentage of legislators supporting the Con-ass route has gone down.

Ocampo said the House committee on constitutional amendments preferred doing it through a constitutional convention by electing Con-con delegates during the 2010 elections.

“It appears that they’re leaving it to the next administration and the 15th Congress to amend the Charter,” he said.

Lobby by voters pressuring their representatives to withdraw support for the Con-ass mode, through House Resolution No. 1109, might have worked and the outpouring of sentiments after the death of former President Corazon Aquino strengthened efforts to junk constituent assembly Con-ass, he said.

The way of pork

But since the 2010 elections are near, Ocampo said the Arroyo administration might use the pork barrel (countrywide development funds) to force legislators belonging to the administration Lakas-Kampi-CMD to push through with Cha-cha.

Ocampo said the last option for Arroyo was to ensure that, despite the cracks in the Lakas-Kampi-CMD merger, she has an absolute majority of Congress when she is elected representative of the second district of Pampanga in 2010.

“GMA (Ms Arroyo) has not given up even [on] the smallest of options. If her party gets the absolute majority, then she’ll stay in power,” he said.

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