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Friday, April 28, 2006
Aquino leads campaign against Charter change (8:50 p.m.)
MANILA -- Opposition groups led by former President Corazon Aquino launched a campaign Friday against changes to the Constitution being pushed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Opposition groups claim Arroyo is proposing the changes to ensure her grip on power and divert attention from a months-long political impasse over corruption and vote-rigging allegations against her.
The proposed changes include a shift from the current US-style presidential system to a parliamentary form of government in which Arroyo could share power with a parliamentary leader but retain her post as President, critics say.
Organizers of the campaign, called "Stop Cha-Cha" -- which has become the popular Filipino nickname for "Charter change" -- said the move was ill-timed.
"Now is not the time," Aquino said. "I think that while I could still talk, I should speak out what is in my mind and in my heart. Otherwise, I should not call myself a Filipino." (AP)
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