|
By Angelo S. Samonte, Reporter
President Gloria Arroyo said she
will support proposals for amending the 1987 Constitution through
Charter change, or “Cha-cha,” but stressed that she will not
initiate moves to do so.
“It is not really for me
anymore to initiate constitutional reform, but if there are others
who will do it, I will support them,” she said during the
Philippine Economic Forum held in Makati City on Friday.
“One reform we need to make is
reform of our political system,” she said, adding that the
country’s political system was “something that needs to be
reformed more than the economy.”
Answering questions during the
open forum, the President said, “Let me refer to my earlier
speech” where she said there are two Philippines—one that has
attained economic progress and the other, the political system that
has “degenerated so much.”
“Ours is a divided country,”
the President added, apparently referring to partisan politics in
the country.
Earlier this week, local
government officials were reported to be pushing a shift to the
federal form of government—a move seen by administration critics
as a ploy to keep incumbent officials, including the President,
beyond the end of their terms in 2010.
Last year, an attempt to tinker
with the Constitution through Cha-cha was brushed off by the Supreme
Court. The bid had been initiated by perceived supporters of Mrs.
Arroyo from the local governments represented in the Union of Local
Authorities of the Philippines. It would have been pushed through
the so-called people’s initiative mode.
This time for Muslims
Early this year, it was reported
that the government considers resolving the separatist war waged by
Muslim rebels in Mindanao in southern Philippines as the “key”
to the amendment of the Constitution.
This key supposedly will unlock
the door to federalism, which will give the minority Muslim
population in Mindanao autonomy more than what they are said to be
enjoying at present.
That door, analysts said, leads
to handing over to Muslims in the country their “ancestral
domain.” This apparent present, the analysts added, will in turn
lead to virtual dismemberment of the Philippine territory. Such
domain extends from Mindanao to western Philippines, including
Palawan province.
Last year’s attempt to rewrite
the Constitution called for a change in the system of
government—from the presidential to parliamentary. This bid,
government critics said, played right up Mrs. Arroyo’s alley.
Under a parliamentary system, the critics said, she could stay
longer in power, either as president or prime minister.
Also last year, the President
said she could run for Congress, to represent her native Pampanga
province, north of Manila. Malacañang said the statement was
actually a joke. Under the Constitution, Philippine presidents are
allowed only one six-year term.
|
