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Tuesday, June 06, 2006
Government believes Catholic Church will soon back Charter change
MALACANANG is confident of the Catholic Church’s support of Charter change despite contrary opinions from the opposition and some church leaders.
Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said the Palace is confident that it can reach a consensus with the Carholic Church regarding constitutional amendments through dialogue and information sharing.
“I believe that the church is just as concerned as every Filipino about genuine economic and political reforms,” added Bunye, who is also Presidential spokesman.
He said there is no quarrel with the church on the need to review the 1987 Constitution because the church only wants an informed choice. “If we can convincingly demonstrate that enough education and information has been conducted, I think the objection would soften,” he added.
Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. said the Charter change campaign is bound to fail due to strong resistance from the Senate and the Catholic Church. He also said President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. are only pushing for it to cover up the misdeeds of the Arroyo administration.
But Bunye brushed aside Pimentel’s statements saying the public has heard enough from “doomsayers” and that the people should be allowed to “push for their dreams and aspirations in a legitimate and democratic manner.”
“Let us not insult the intelligence of the people by portraying them as mindless robots dictated upon by despots or manipulators. Charter change is based on free choice. Let that choice happen,” he said.
Bunye said a survey has shown that at least 62 percent of Filipinos are now more open to Charter change.
He said the preparations for Charter change could be conducted alongside the 2007 elections, the extent of which would depend on current developments. The May 2007 elections are for the election of 12 senators, congressmen, and local officials.
Raul Lambino, Sigaw ng Bayan Coalition spokesman, said the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (Ulap and the Charter Change Advocacy Commission (AdCom) have started formal talks on how to unite their efforts in pushing for constitutional reforms.
AdCom chairman Lito Monico Lorenzana said they will send experts to the fora conducted by Ulap to explain the proposed reforms. (JMR/Sunnex)
(June 6, 2006 issue)
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