Monday, October 13, 2008 Duterte firm vs charter change By Carlo P. Mallo
EVEN this early, proponents of Charter change allegedly being cooked up in the House of Representatives have already one hurdle to contend with, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.
The mayor announced his staunch opposition to Charter change during his closed door meeting with two German legislators, Juergen Klimke and Helmut Koenigshaus of the German Bundestag, who visited the city last week.
"Charter change? No, I will not support it," Duterte said.
Rumors and speculations are rife again that members of the House of Representatives who are allied with the Arroyo administration will be pushing again the issue of Charter change shortly before 2010.
The mayor said he fears that the Charter change issue will be brought up again this month or by next month in the House of Representatives.
Based on the rumors obtained by Sun.Star from its various sources, the proposed Charter change will be in the form of a shift from the present system into a federal and parliamentary system. Moreover, sources added that the Charter change will be carried out by members of Congress through a constituent assembly.
"They will force the issue by October or November," Duterte said.
Details of the closed-door meeting between the mayor and the two German legislators have been sparse, except that the two inquired about the possible effects a Charter change may have on the country.
However, Duterte maintains that the visit of the two German legislators have been on goodwill alone.
"It will be to extend the term of those in power," the mayor said of the Charter change proposal but stopped short of naming anyone.
In earlier interviews, the mayor has pledged his support to the Arroyo government until 2010, the year when she relinquishes her post to the person who will be elected during the May 2010 presidential elections.
