Senators slam Nograles anew for pushing Charter change

MANILA, Philippines - Senators yesterday frowned at efforts by Speaker Prospero Nograles to push for Charter change (Cha-cha).

Nograles had sought the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) advice on whether it would still be possible to hold a plebiscite for Cha-cha.

Sen. Francis Pangilinan, who authored a Senate resolution against Cha-cha, said the efforts “are a waste of time.”

In his resolution, Pangilinan said that Cha-cha without the Senate is unconstitutional. 

“With all due respect, con-ass (constitutional assembly) efforts are a waste of time. There is no time left, there are no senators willing to support the House con-ass resolution. There is no budget for it and most important, people do not support it,” he said.

Pangilinan agreed with suspicions of the opposition that efforts by the Palace and the President’s allies to push for Cha-cha are meant to extend Mrs. Arroyo’s term beyond 2010.

“Why they persist, despite all the odds, is proof that there are those desperate to cling on to power beyond 2010 and willing to do so at all costs,” he said.

Sen. Francis Escudero noted that Comelec chairman Jose Melo has said that there is no more time to accommodate a plebiscite on Cha-cha.

“Melo has already stated that it cannot be done,” Escudero said.

Nograles said that with time running out, he wanted to know if constitutional amendments could still be done, especially since the filing of certificates of candidacy has been advanced from February 2010 to November 2009.

“Even if it takes us 48 hours debating on Charter change, in the final analysis, it is not us who will vote yes or no to this, but the people. That is why I think I have to consult them (Comelec officials) on that,” he said.

Nograles said he would allow debates on the con-ass resolution of Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Villafuerte and his bill amending the prohibitive economic provisions in the Charter when sessions resume on April 13.

Sen. Loren Legarda cautioned the government against resorting to “foul tactics meant to derail the 2010 national election.”

Legarda was reacting to the proposal of National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales to establish a “transitional government” in lieu of an election allegedly “to help address dysfunctional politics.”

“This is alarming – and suspicious,” she said.

“Considering that Gonzales is a top official of the administration, no less than the security adviser of the President, his public utterances can be given weight,” she said.

Legarda noted that “Gonzales – and for that matter Malacañang – seems to be floating that idea, considering that the prospect for amending the Constitution before the elections appears to be retreating in the face of fierce public opposition.”

While the President keeps on denying the administration has something to do with the bid of its allies to proceed with Cha-cha, Legarda noted Mrs. Arroyo’s “conspicuous silence” over reports that she wanted to cling on to power even after the election.

“And Mr. Gonzales’ intriguing utterances may indeed be a sort of trial balloon for the administration, which is already running out of options in its bid to pursue Charter change,” she said.

“I urge the public to be vigilant. There is no reason to postpone the election,” she said.

Meeting vs. Constitutional amendment

Anti-Arroyo groups led by the United Opposition (UNO) held an emergency meeting in Makati City last Tuesday to map out strategies against moves to amend the Constitution.

UNO president and Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay called the meeting, held at the Makati City Hall.

Among those who attended the meeting were Renato Reyes of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan), Akbayan party list Rep. Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel and UNO spokesman Adel Tamano.

“Our purpose is to meet head-on the challenge of Cha-cha. The current administration has not learned its lesson. We are going to prepare using all the constitutional and legal means to oppose Cha-cha. Our message to GMA and her allies is simple. Put an end to our people’s suffering. You have two options. Either resign or tell us that in 2010 there will be elections and there will be no Cha-cha till 2010,” Tamano said.

Reyes said groups against the Arroyo administration will hold protest rallies on April 13 when Congress resumes session and on April 14 when the House Committee on Constitutional Amendments holds its hearing.   – With Mike Frialde