Malacaņang supports any mode of Chacha
Manila (31 October) -- Malacaņang will support any mode of amending the Constitution provided it satisfies President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's vision of a major political reform, specifically the shift from the present presidential to a parliamentary form of government.
"The Palace will back any group pushing for Charter change as long as it is towards the President's vision of a major political reform," Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said in a press conference in Malacaņang today.
Ermita said the President has been pushing for a major political reform through Charter change to stop political bickerings that impede the country's economic growth.
There are three modes to bring about amendments or revisions of the Constitution: through Constituent Assembly, Constitutional Convention, and People's Initiative.
"Of course, the President will support that move as long as it will achieve the objective of a major political reform through Charter change," Ermita said, referring to the latest move of the House of Representatives to change the Constitution through a Constituent Assembly, after the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) and Sigaw ng Bayan-initiated People's Initiative was junked by the Supreme Court.
Ermita also denied any rift in the Cabinet, saying members of the President's official family are "all friends."
He added that the Cabinet members may have differences of opinion or ideas on the mode of changing the Charter but they are one in trying to achieve the President's vision of a major political reform. (PIA-MMIO) [top]
