MANILA – Malacañang on Friday expressed optimism that senators would support the proposed shift to a federal form of government.
“We are confident that after giving them [a] thorough picture of why we think the Charter change is meritorious that many of the senators will agree with the President on this matter,” Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said in a press briefing in Malaybalay, Bukidnon.
Sen. Panfilo Lacson said the proposed Charter change is “just waiting to be cremated” in Senate due to lack of support.
Roque said there are ways to convince the senators to change their minds on the Malacañang-backed Charter change.
“I think there is no alternative to convincing them by showing them the merits of the proposed amendments,” Roque said.
“We prefer to deal with the merits of the proposal to amend the Constitution towards a federal form of government and we will pursue that course of action,” he added.
Roque said the senators initially refused to support the second package of the Comprehensive Tax Reform Program or the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN).
After a thorough explanation, Roque said no less than Senate President Vicente Sotto III had agreed to sponsor TRAIN 2.
“We expect a similar development as far as Charter change is concerned,” Roque stressed. (With a report from PNA/PN)
