Pass 16 priority bills first before Cha-cha, GMA tells Congress

Quid pro quo.

President Arroyo said yesterday she would "consider" an amendment of the Constitution if Congress would pass into law all 16 priority bills of her administration.

"(Members of Congress) have the right to (call for a constitutional amendment) but it is my right to object also," she said. "Perhaps if we can solve poverty within 10 years, we can think about Cha-cha (Charter change) and adopt a new Charter. Or after we have already at least finished the 16 proposed laws which I identified in my (State of the Nation Address) as very important."

Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. urged Mrs. Arroyo yesterday to agree to have the Constitution amended so a federal system of government could be adopted.

"If the President will drop her objection to constitutional amendments, Congress can act expeditiously on pending resolutions for the adoption of a federal system, along with other noteworthy proposals for constitutional amendments," he said.

Pimentel challenged a shadowy group of so-called "federalists" to fight for their cause through legal and peaceful means instead of violence and coercion.

"If they are really sincere in pushing for the adoption of the federal system in the country, they must come out in the open and should not hide behind the facade of anonymity," he said.

The public’s growing support for changes in the Constitution is reflected in random surveys being conducted by a committee of the House of Representatives, he added.

On the other hand, acting Senate President Juan Flavier said yesterday any move to amend the Constitution would not be possible without the support of Mrs. Arroyo.

Flavier said he does not want a change in the form of government, and that any amendment must focus on specific concerns that should be "time-bound."

Mrs. Arroyo said some of her priority bills are:

• Use of land acquired under the government’s land reform program as collateral by farmers for agricultural loans.

• Special Purpose Asset Vehicle to allow the purchase of non-performing assets from banks.

• Creation of the Department of Housing.

• Convergence Law to improve information communication technology in the country.

• The bill seeking to allow private prosecutors to appear before the Sandiganbayan. –Marichu Villanueva, Aurea Calica