Friday, January 13, 2006
House Speaker backs Charter change sans shortened term for Arroyo
HOUSE Speaker Jose de Venecia, pulling himself away from the claws of his known mentor, asked members of the ruling Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) on Thursday to support the proposed seven "strategic Charter amendments" without asking President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to resign or cut short her term by 2007.
The move taken by the Speaker, the Lakas president, was definitely in contradiction to the proposal made by his mentor, former President Fidel Ramos, the chairman emeritus of the same party.
With the position taken by the Speaker, other members of the House have expressed belief that Lakas would be facing a hard time in the coming days, especially in taking positions on various matters including moves to amend the Constitution.
The seven amendments that Lakas-CMD is likely to endorse represent the major political and economic reforms: an immediate shift to parliamentary government; a shift to a unicameral parliament, which would abolish both the Senate and the House of Representatives, eliminate the gridlock in lawmaking and make it less expensive and more efficient; and the lifting of term limits for all elected officials.
The party would also push for the holding of elections once every five years, to reduce political corruption; the elimination of the "balimbing" party-switching system to strengthen the political parties and install a program-oriented government; the creation of strong autonomous regions in the country as an initial step towards a transition to a federal system; and the lifting of economic restrictions, ushering in an open-door policy to attract foreign direct investments into the country that would enable it to replicate the economic transformation of China, South Korea, Singapore, Hongkong, Malaysia and Thailand".
But de Venecia was optimistic that on Saturday, when the party holds the national directorate meeting, everything will be settled and that majority of the members of the party will support Charter change, which will be patterned to French government during the three-year transition period from 2007 to 2010.
He explained that under the French-style parliamentary form of government, there is no need for the President to cut short her term as earlier proposed by the former President.
Arroyo, according to him, would "continue to sit as Chief Executive with substantial powers but assisted by a Prime Minister who would be the chief operating officer of government."
The Speaker claimed although that the proposal came up when he had met with Ramos just recently. The French model, he added, is a formula for an interim parliament, which Ramos also wants.
De Venecia said President Arroyo has a mandate from the 2004 elections, and "if we follow the Constitution and the rule of law she must serve her term until 2010."
On Saturday, he said, the party is likely to approve or junk his proposal for a three-year transition period with Arroyo still around as President with still substantial powers.
As to whether the party would make a stand on the recommendation made by the Consultative Commission (Concom) to suspend the 2007 elections, de Venecia was apprehensive of it, claiming that "members of Congress cannot vote for a provision that involves a conflict of interest".
He believed that such matter should be thrown to the people for decision.
De Venecia said a provision to the effect could be included in the transitory provision of the new Constitution and the Filipino voters could approve or reject it, including the other proposed amendments in a national plebiscite this year.
Meanwhile, other leaders of the House have been campaigning against Ramos' proposal, giving the President an ultimatum to step down next year that will pave the way for a transitory government.
House Majority Leader Prospero Nograles said on Saturday, Ramos will see his proposal junked by a majority of the members of Lakas during the upcoming meeting.
"I urge Lakas members to junk FVR (Ramos) proposal to shorten Mrs. Arroyo's term of office. The shift to parliament does not mean the President should step down. Parliament transition should be gradual until 2010," Nograles said. (DBP/Sunnex)
(January 13, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor. Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board. Click here. |
