By PRINCE GOLEZ
Manila Reporter
MANILA — Sen. Francis Escudero and Rep. Neri Colmenares of Bayan Muna party-list are against Charter Change.
Escudero said he is not keen on amending the Constitution just to extend the term of President Benigno Aquino III.
Aquino should have hinted a move for Charter Change at the start of his term “to avoid any speculation,” he said.
Colmenares, meanwhile, called on the House of Representatives to oppose Charter Change.
Amending the Constitution will be “self-serving” for the administration and “would worsen the already sorry state of the country,” he said.
Instead of pushing for Charter Change, he stressed, Aquino should create more jobs and improve the government’s social services.
“The Aquino government should heed the voice of the people and junk Cha-cha,” said Colmenares.
Escudero also expressed opposition to the curtailment of the powers of the judiciary.
“Kung papahinain nating ang Korte Suprema, baka ’pag dumating ho iyong panahon na may mapang-abuso tayong pangulo — at hindi ’yun si Pangulong Aquino — e wala na ho tayong Korte Supremang matatakbuhan,” he stressed.
President Aquino earlier said he is open to amending the Constitution.
Senate President Franklin Drilon, for his part, said he is open to economic amendments to the Constitution.
The Ilonggo senator said they will tackle the Lower House’s proposed amendment as soon as it is forwarded to the Senate.
Drilon also denied that the Liberal Party has an “official” stand on Charter Change./PN
