Palace: Cha-cha drive unwaning despite SC rule
Quezon City (25 October) -- Malacaņang said it will bow to the Supreme Court ruling scrapping the people's initiative petition, but insisted it would not relent in its drive to amend the Constitution.
During a press briefing, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said the administration expects a motion for reconsideration (MR) to be filed by the petitioners in the coming days.
"The push for major political reforms has not waned. This will be an effort, through legal means, as I said we there will be an MR, we just don't know how soon and who among the petitioners will file it," he said.
"The President still has that resolve to change the Constitution," Ermita said.
While the Palace is still pushing for Cha-cha, Ermita said the administration was still preparing its lineup for the May 2007 polls. Presidential Political Adviser Gabriel Claudio is in charge of selecting the candidates who will be fielded.
President Arroyo would still pursue Charter changes, Ermita said, as part of political reforms she wants instituted before her term finishes in 2010.
Meanwhile at the House of Representatives, Majority Leader Prosepero Nograles said the administration's allies will map out their battle plan for the convening of a constituent assembly.
"This is sad news for people who are for change. We will assess when we convene Congress on November 6 to pursue ConAss. I do not think we can or should lose twice on the same issue as it is needed badly by our country. Time may be against us but we will give it our best shot," Nograles said. (PIA) [top]
