Estrada urges GMA to call snap elections

Not Charter change but snap election.

To bring back political stability in the country, jailed former President Joseph Estrada is asking President Arroyo to immediately call for a snap presidential election.

In a telephone interview, Estrada said that mounting discontent among the people, including those groups that played a major role in placing Mrs. Arroyo in power, is a clear indication that a president needs the mandate of the people.

"Mrs. Arroyo merely grabbed power from me. Since she has no mandate from the people, she should call for a snap election to bring back the political stability in our country," Estrada told The STAR.

He said, though, that he is supporting the call to change the Constitution but only if this would focus on economic reforms and only after a new set of leaders is elected next year.

"Charter change should serve the larger needs of our people and not merely used to promote the narrow political interests of a few in our society," Estrada said in a statement.

During his term, Estrada advocated for a limited revision of the Constitution, mainly focusing on economic provisions.

He stressed, though, that he is opposing changing the Constitution before the May 2004 polls because this would only extend the term of office of government officials.

"The whole process (Constitutional amendment) should not be turned into an opportunity for many of our unelectable officials to be the first to benefit under this very important exercise," Estrada said.

Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr., who is one of the main proponents of Charter Change, wants Congress to convert itself into a constituent assembly and is pushing for changing the form of government from presidential to parliamentary.

On the other hand, Mrs. Arroyo, who welcomes the proposed constitutional changes, wants a constitutional convention whose members will be elected in the elections next year.

Estrada, for his part, said that any amendment to the Constitution should be done after the 2004 elections, although a plebiscite on the issue could be held simultaneously with the national elections. – Jose Rodel Clapano