Quezon City (24 October) -- Malacañang insisted Monday it has not and would never resort to pressuring the Supreme Court to gain a favorable ruling on the petition seeking to amend the Constitution through a people's initiative.

Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye stressed: "This administration respects the integrity and independence of the Supreme Court and we unconditionally uphold its decisions. We have been very transparent in pursuing our vision of political renewal but we have not interfered with the democratic processes needed to enable it."

He claimed that while President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has been actively pushing for Charter change, "this should never be construed as a command upon the people or the courts."

He said it was unfair for senators and Charter change critics to insinuate that Malacañang has been exerting pressure on magistrates to rule in favor of petitioners Sigaw ng Bayan and the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP).

"We appeal to the senators and the rest of our critics to [respect the integrity and independence of the SC] and stop raising the bogey of Palace pressure on the court," he said.

He remained confident that the high court would come up with an "enlightened" decision on the Charter change issue, taking into consideration what Malacañang insists is a "clamor for a change in our system."