By Rose B. Palacio

Davao City (14 November) -- House Majority leader Prospero Nograles assured the public that "there is an election come May 2007" contrary to what some opposition is trying to stage.

Congressman Nograles made this statement during the recent inauguration of the DPWH covered court at the DPWH compound where he is one of the major instrument in its realization with Mati, Davao Oriental Congressman Mayo Almario.

Nograles also made a commitment for the realization of the dreams of the DPWH to have its own center for the employees' kids and children, if and when he is still Congressman after the 2007 polls.

He also gave an assurance that the administration has no vision of perpetuating its powers. Magagalit sa atin ang tao niyan, he said.

We are still pushing for a Charter change, he said in his speech delivered at the DPWH compound attended by barangay captains in district one including his son Atty. Karlo Nograles, hid concurrent chief of staff and another son, Jerry.

"Amending the 1987 Constitution would address the country's decade-long problems of insurgency, terrorism and military adventurism", he said.

He considers internal conflict as the most pressing national security problem the country faces today.

According to Nograles, threats comes from various directions such as the right, which is composed of powerbrokers who espouse military adventurism, the progressive left which is comprised of Marxist-leaning militants magnified by insurgency in the countryside; the Abu Sayaff and armed terror elements, and the off-center assemblage associated with the civil society groups and those living below poverty line.

These are critical internal security issues we need to consider in amending the Constitution and not perpetuating the powers who are also in the different positions in government", he said.

Congressman Nograles said people are restive because they feel neglected and exploited and feel that the government and political leadership are to blame for their woes.

"Even climate change has now become a national security concern. Unless we do something to address them, threats to our national security will always be there. The only way to curtail these disruptive sentiments is to make the lives of our people better", he stressed.