Erap favors Cha-cha but through con-com

Deposed President Joseph Estrada expressed support yesterday for Speaker Jose de Venecia’s efforts to push Charter change (Cha-cha), as long as it is done by a constitutional commission.

Although he favors Cha-cha, Estrada said the opposition would not support De Venecia if Congress convenes itself as a constituent assembly (con-ass) to propose amendments to the Constitution.

Estrada told The STAR yesterday he shared his sentiments with De Venecia when they discussed Cha-cha at his resthouse in Tanay, Rizal about three weeks ago.

"Speaker De Venecia and I are both in favor of Cha-cha," he said.

"We agree in principle but not on the mode. In fairness to Speaker De Venecia, there is no negotiation on Cha-cha. I would go along with him on Cha-cha, but I would not support his conass."

Estrada, the acknowledged leader of the United Opposition (UNO) and chieftain of Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP), reiterated his political party’s position in favor of constitutional amendments, including the possible shift to a parliamentary system of government.

"Why not (shift to a parliamentary system)?" Estrada said. "I will try to help convince my partymates to support his (De Venecia) Cha-cha, but not (through) Con-Ass."

Estrada said he prefers that the Constitution be amended through an appointive constitutional commission (con-com) whose members would be nominated by various sectors of society — from the academe, business sector, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and civil groups.

"The President will appoint the members out of these nominations from the best and the brightest as nominated by these different sectors so that we can get the cream of the crop," he said.

"Because if elected, we would only get those politicians with bad reputations and vested interests and ease out political lame ducks."

Estrada said the "political lame ducks" include Alejandro Lichauco, his former economic planning secretary Philip Medalla, and Dr. Bernardo Villegas.

"But if appointed, these political lame ducks, who cannot win in elections, can be nominated," he said.

Estrada said De Venecia and his wife, Gina, flew by helicopter to his resthouse in Tanay where he hosted lunch for them and other visitors.

At the outset, Estrada stressed there were no discussions of any "deals" with De Venecia in exchange for his support of Cha-cha.

Estrada vehemently denied yesterday reports (not in The STAR) that there were ongoing "negotiations" between him and the Arroyo administration through emissaries like Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Michael Defensor and De Venecia.

"Sabi ko sa kanya titingnan ko (I told him I will look into it)," he said.

"What is important is our Constitution because it is the Bible of the government, and I want a lasting Constitution that will guide our people to prosperity."

Estrada said he welcomed De Venecia to his home despite being former adversaries in the 1998 presidential race, where Estrada won by the widest margin in the country’s history.

"Kaibigan ko naman si Joe (Joe is my friend)," he said. "We had a friendly fight. Di kami nagsiraan (We have not piqued one another)."

Estrada said during their two-hour luncheon, De Venecia raised anew his appeal for "reconciliation" with President Arroyo for the sake of national unity.

"Magtulungan daw kami sa reconciliation para matapos na ang alitan (He asked that we help one another toward reconciliation to end the disagreement)," he said.

"Basta ako (as for me), I will fight this case to the last because I know I am not guilty," he told The STAR. — With Delon Porcalla