TUCP backs Cha-cha, wants focus on economic reforms

The moderate Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) backed yesterday President Arroyo’s call to change the country’s form of government from presidential to parliamentary.

"The current political system results in many gridlocks in decision making and is prone to patronage politics which breeds corruption in government, thus the need to introduce political and electoral reforms," the TUCP said in a statement.

However, the country’s biggest labor union said lawmakers must not lose sight of the need to strengthen the economy and improve the lives of the masses.

"On top of political changes, it is imperative for the government to provide jobs to over three million Filipinos and improve the working conditions and income of four million unemployed workers," the statement said.

Alex Aguilar, TUCP spokesman, said they hope that discussions on Charter change would proceed hand-in-hand with programs seeking to improve the lives of the poor, particularly the working class.

Congress must enact laws exempting minimum wage earners from paying withholding taxes and raising the salaries of government employees, he added.

Meanwhile, House Deputy Majority Leader Antonio Cerilles has lauded President Arroyo’s SONA for focusing on Charter change to strengthen government structure and promote stability.

"By choosing not to tackle the political crisis, the President showed she is being circumspect since an impeachment complaint against her has been filed in the House," he said.

Cerilles defended the SONA’s avoidance of the impeachment issue in deference to the House’s authority over the amended impeachment complaint filed by the opposition.

"Any discussion of the case in the SONA might be construed as an act of meddling in the House’s authority," he said.

Cerilles said Mrs. Arroyo knows the SONA is not the proper forum to address the impeachment case she may soon be facing.

Cerilles said Mrs. Arroyo was right in focusing on her legislative agenda as the SONA should serve as a guide for Congress on its priorities in the coming year.

"The SONA therefore is an assessment of the government’s accomplishments and is a presentation of its targets in the next year," he said.

Cerilles said Mrs. Arroyo’s bid for Charter change had the strong backing of the House, which has been batting for a constituent assembly as the mode to amend the Constitution.

Cerilles said the anti-terror bill is also a priority of Congress in light of persistent terror threats facing the world.

In Pampanga, local executives and businessmen hailed yesterday Mrs. Arroyo’s SONA as a "decisive and far-ranging solution" to the country’s economic and political problems.

Mabalacat Mayor Marino Morales said all the officers and members of the Pampanga Mayor’s League (PML) will continue to support the programs of Mrs. Arroyo.

"The countryside development, which the Presaident cited is a welcome development... would greatly benefit the people, particularly the less fortunate members of society in the countryside in terms of business and livelihood."

On the other hand, Levy P. Laus, Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry chairman, said he believes the economic and political reforms that Mrs. Arroyo highlighted in her SONA are what the country urgently needs to bring about economic prosperity and political stability.

Meanwhile, Pampanga Rep. Reynaldo Aquino said GMA’s SONA was "short but meaningful." "It addresses squarely what the country needs now and is conciliatory towards unity and peace," he said.

Pampanga Gov. Mark Lapid also pledged full support to the Arroyo administration.

"In behalf of the Kapampangans, I believe that the President is still capable to lead the nation despite resignation calls," the governor said. — With Ric Sapnu