Charter Change deserves full support of the people – Sec. Claudio

By BONG PEDALINO, (PIA - Southern Leyte)
July 4, 2006

MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte  –  Presidential Adviser on Political Affairs, Secretary Gabriel Claudio, expressed gratitude to the leaders and the people of Southern Leyte for the "outspoken and unequivocal support for charter change," saying this priority advocacy of the administration "deserves the full support of the people."

"I would like to thank you for your outspoken and unequivocal support for charter change. I would also like to acknowledge the efforts of Gov. Lerias, together with the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP), in support of the People’s Initiative as a mode of changing the Constitution," Claudio said in his speech at the Capitol Sunken Garden here July 1 on the occasion of the 46th founding anniversary celebration of Southern Leyte province where he was the Guest Speaker.

"Likewise, I would like to cite the efforts of Cong. Mercado in support of a constituent assembly as a mode of amending the Constitution. Either way will bring us to our desired goal -- the emancipation of our people from the archaic and anachronistic political and economic provisions in the present Constitution that hinder our growth and prosperity," Claudio added.

He scored the opposition for trying to belittle and malign efforts on cha-cha and relating it to allegations that it was a move merely to extend the President’s term or to stop the new round of impeachment.

The present leadership has called for changes in the charter "practically from its inception" and, in fact, one of President Arroyo’s campaign platforms in the 2004 polls was anchored on constitutional reforms, the political adviser, who was also assigned as the Cabinet Officer for Regional Development (CORD) for Region 8, said.

He declared that efforts at changing the country’s basic law were "not self-serving, short-sighted or sinister."

"The purpose of charter change is reforms. A change in the Constitution will put in place the necessary structure to minimize the destructive effects of politics and bring about an environment more conducive to stability, growth, and progress," he said.

In a press conference at the Governor’s office right after the anniversary dinner, Claudio admitted that attempts for both Houses of Congress to form a constituent assembly and the people’s initiative to effect charter change were competing with each other.

He was hopeful that talks between the Senate and the House were not yet closed, adding that by Congress’ opening on July 24 the controversial issue may once again gather momentum for an intense discussion.

The people’s initiative, on the other hand, had gathered almost 9 million signatures already, and only the verification outcome of two legislative district were being awaited before filing the petition to the Commission on Elections (Comelec), Sec. Claudio further said.