MALACANANG was not surprised by the actions of Representative (Pampanga, 2nd district) Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in filing a resolution to amend the 1987 Constitution through a constitutional convention.
Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said they are expecting Arroyo to file the bill as implied by her gestures during her administration.
“That was already her commitment even before. She wanted to amend the Constitution through various means—Chacha, Pirma, whatever—so this is not something surprising for us,” Lacierda said.
Arroyo was sworn into office Wednesday after she turned over the governance to President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III. From the Quirino Grandstand, the site of the inauguration ceremony, she went straight to Pampanga.
On her first day as congresswoman, Arroyo filed her first House Resolution seeking to change the Constitution in the incoming 15th Congress.
Critics of the former President strongly opposed the move to amend the Charter during the 14th Congress, fearing that it would extend Arroyo's term by becoming a Prime Minister.
It was not certain yet whether President Aquino learned about Arroyo’s move.
While Arroyo is apparently trying to do all efforts to avert lawsuits, the camp of President Aquino is fast-tracking the creation of the Truth Commission that will handle the irregularities in Arroyo administration.
Lacierda said they will be issuing a memorandum for the creation of the Truth Commission soon. It will be headed by former Chief Justice Hilario Davide.
“What they’ll do is to try to collect evidence to make a strong case, as what President Aquino said, they will gather case(s) enough to warrant a conviction,” he said.
“President Aquino was really in favor of the independent commission. He wants to make sure that it will not be a witch hunt, it will not appear as an act of vengeance on his part,” he added.
The parameters of the Truth Commission will be discussed by Davide and Justice Secretary Leila de Lima.
Aquino’s second day
On his second day in office, President Aquino started living up to his promise of refraining from using siren in his everyday travel.
He and his security escorts drove to Malacanang by stopping at every traffic light they passed through.
He still stays with his family at Times Street in Quezon City while the Bahay Pangarap in Malacanang compound is being renovated and refurnished.
The President welcomed several foreign dignitaries to pay courtesy call to him from 10 a.m.
Late Thursday afternoon, the President spent time with his Cabinet men and their families. (Jill Beltran/Sunnex)