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Friday, January 10, 2003
Senators tie 'coup' to Charter change moves
MANILA -- Senators said rumors of a possible "coup" at the Senate are linked to moves to change the Constitution.
Lawmakers from both the opposition and administration parties said Thursday that a change in leadership at the Senate would pave the way for a possible amendment of the Charter before the 2004 elections.
Senators Ramon Magsaysay Jr., Sergio Osmena III, Joker Arroyo, and Ralph Recto were one in saying that the desire to amend the Constitution could be the motivation in the sudden resurgence of talks of a possible power grab in the Upper Chamber on Monday.
Reports said Malacaņang is backing Senator Edgardo Angara, head of the committee on constitutional amendments, for the top Senate post in exchange for his initiating Charter change moves in the Chamber.
Minority Senator Aquilino Pimentel confirmed Thursday there would be a change in leadership at the Senate on Monday.
Magsaysay also believes the talks about a change in leadership "has something to do with the proposed Charter changes."
The amendment of the Constitution has been on the agenda of many lawmakers, including Speaker Jose De Venecia and Angara, and even President Arroyo.
On the other hand, Senate President Franklin Drilon said in the past he would oppose moves to change the Charter until after the 2004 elections.
His stand does not sit well with supporters of Charter change at the Senate, and they include Senators Robert Barbers, Pimentel, and Angara.
Barbers even went as far as accuse anyone opposing the proposed Constitutional amendments as "anti-Filipino."
Pimentel, on the other hand, is batting for a shift to a federal form of government.
Magsaysay said he would not support a change in leadership, especially if the new leader was open to amending the Charter.
"Moving to a parliamentary form of government would remove the right of the people to choose their leader directly, which should not be. That is also why I'm not supportive of a change in leadership," he said.
Senator Joker Arroyo hinted at a grand design to push for amendments to the Constitution. He referred to de Venecia and Angara who are going "out of their way" to support Charter change.
This fuel suspicions that there is indeed a brewing plot to change the Constitution through a leadership change in the Senate.
The President has been noted of her neutral but "supportive" stand of amendments to the Constitution.
And "she (the President) would be the beneficiary of a Charter change," Senator Arroyo pointed out.
Senator Serge Osmeņa said he is aware about such "talks" but stressed: "Cha-cha movers would have to contend with me."
"Changing the system is not the answer now and if they will try to accomplish that, they are definitely cheating the people," Osmeņa added.
Senator Ralph Recto agreed with Osmeņa.
Although in favor of changing the Constitution, Pimentel said amendments must be well thought of and unhurried. "I want to make it clear, I favor amending the Constitution, but we must not be hasty about it and it should not be a shift to a parliament form of government," he said.
Senate Pro Tempore Juan Flavier brushed aside the "coup talks," adding the minority does not have the numbers to turn the tide in the chamber to its favor.
"Show me the numbers. They are saying they have a resolution signed by 15 senators, where is it?" he said.
It was Pimentel who earlier said a coup is "definitely in the offing on Monday" favoring Angara over Drilon. Joshua Dancel |
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