The Arroyo administration is guilty of "double speak" on the issue of charter change. The deceitful moves of Malacañang and its allies only reinforce suspicions that the exercise is intended to extend the president's stay in power beyond 2010.
While President Arroyo appears to be no longer be interested in pushing for Charter Change and extending her term, her eldest son, Pampanga Rep. Juan Miguel "Mikey" Arroyo, was spearheading a signature campaign in the House of Representatives to amend the 1987 Constitution through a constituent assembly.
The double speak of Malacañang on the issue to Charter Change is too obvious to ignore. It is now clear to most Filipinos that despite her patent unpopularity, President Arroyo has not given up on the prospects of extending her stay in power until after 2010.
This relentless presidential desire to stay in power appears to be the principal motivation behind the deceitful moves to amend the Constitution even if it would mean sacrificing the tradition democratic institutions of our country.
Let me reiterate that pushing for Charter Change at this time would have a devastating effect on the national economy that is already suffering from the effects on the ongoing global financial crisis.
Makati business leaders have expressed fears over Malacañang's renewed efforts to amend the Constitution, which they said would not help any in alleviating the country's flagging economy.
I had been a staunch critic of Charter Change when I was Senate President of the 13th Congress, and I had argued that amending the Constitution was not the appropriate solution to resolve the current political and financial turmoil in the country.The proposed charter change will not eradicate corruption in government which is the very root cause of the country's present problems. What we need is not a change in the system but a change in the character of the people in government.
