PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III has decided to form a commission that will study the amendment in the Philippine Constitution.
Aquino told reporters Wednesday that he just need to fill up all government positions first before he could decide who will compose the Charter Change (Cha-Cha) Commission.
"Once we have completely re-organized this government, then we can devote more attention to finding the commissioners for the commission that will study the Charter change," he said.
Aquino decided for the move after his predecessor, now Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, filed a resolution seeking for a constitutional convention for the purpose of Cha-cha.
The President said he is still pressed to fill up about 173 heads in Government Owned and Controlled Corporations (GOCCs), excluding those who will constitute the respective boards.
He even admitted of having difficulty in completing the Truth Commission, which he just created to investigate all anomalies hounding the previous administration.
Former Justice Secertary Hilario Davide was tasked to head the Truth Commission, which needed to fulfill its probing tasks in two years time.
New appointments
Meanwhile, Aquino also announced Wednesday two new appointments that will be part of his administration.
Emil de Quiros was appointed as President of Social Security System, while Gina Bautista-Martin was named as administrator of Sugar Regulatory Administration.
De Quiros is the brother of national broadsheet columnist Conrado de Quiros who is known to have close ties to the late parents of President Aquino.
Aquino was quick to clarify that his family's close ties with Conrado has nothing to do with the appointment of Emil.
De Quiroz has credits in Ph.D in Economics from the University of the Philippines in 1970-1971 and obtained a masters in economics also at UP in 1969-1970. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts in Economics at Ateneo de Naga (cum laude) in 1965-1969.
His last position from May 2004 to December 2008 was executive vice president of the Bank of the Philippine Islands. He also occupied high positions in the former Far East Bank and Trust Co, Asian Merchant Finance Inc.
Bautista-Martin, a resident of Silay City, Negros Occidental, obtained a Program Development Management Course at the Asian Institute of Management in 1987. She finished her Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from the University of Santo Tomas in 1982.
Her last position was secretary-treasurer of the Asociacion de Hacenderos Silay-Saravia Inc. in 2001 where she was also a managing director from 2001 to present and director from 1998 to present.
She also was chairperson and director of the Silay Saravia Railways Cooperative from 2002 to present; the BJB Agro Industrial Company Inc. as general manager and corporate administrator from 1986 to present, among others.
Aquino also revealed that Martin is a sister of his cousin-in-law but clarified that her appointment was decided due to her qualification as a sugar planter in Negros Occidental.
Complaining general hit
Meanwhile, Aquino lashed outgoing National Capital Region Command (NCRCom) Chief Rear Admiral Feliciano Angue for his continuous grievances about his supposed demotion.
"Siya po ay subordinate ko, desisyon ko po 'yun sundin niya, ganon lang ka-simple 'yun," Aquino said, citing that it is improper for a subordinate to debate with his commander-in-chief.
"Kung everytime na lang po tayong mag-uutos ay may debateng mangyayari, wala na ho tayong kaayusan," he said.
Angue, who divulged the alleged politicking of some military officials in the last May elections, has been complaining about his purported demotion as commander of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) in Zamboanga City.
The President noted that hierarchy is being observed in the Armed Forces and the National Police.
"Nakakarami po sa Sandatahang Lakas at sa kapulisan na aking paniniwala ay talagang naniniwala na meron talagang hierarchy at meron talagang mandatong nangyari at kailangang sundin nila ang tinig ng bayan," he said.
Angue chided for his reassignment at Westmincom, which is perceived as a low position, noting that should been eligible for promotion to vice admiral since his post in NCRCom is for a three-star general. Westmincom is for a two-star general.
The grievance of Angue even reached Congress as the chamber is now mulling for a congressional probe regarding military organization.
Youth sector
Aquino also ordered the Presidential Management Staff (PMS) and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to look at how the youth sector could become more active in government and in advancing the interests of the young.
Aquino, in a press conference in MalacaƱang, said he also intends to convene the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (Ledac) as soon as he proposed bill re-organizing the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan.
The administration wants the SK chairman elected as a councilor of the barangay and the SK council abolished.
"So, one of the proposals is to have a sectoral representative and voted upon by the youth who will have the same privileges as any other kagawads and thereby have a claim to equality," Aquino said.
Interior Secretary Jessie Robredo earlier prepared a draft bill for submission to Congress to abolish the SK council and synchronize the barangay elections in October 2013 with the national elections in May of the same year.
Robredo, however, said they would not yet submit the proposal pending further studies.
Aquino lauds Ombuds
Meanwhile, Aquino said the Office of the Ombudsman is performing better under his two-month administration compared to the years that former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was in office.
"It's a lot better than it was before," the President said.
He acknowledged that Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez was now quick to act on the controversies and allegations of irregularities like the exorbitant benefits and salaries received by the members of the board of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS).
Aquino expressed hope that Gutierrez would be able to fulfill her mandate "in an expeditious manner and judicious to all parties concerned". (Jill Beltran/JMR/Sunnex)