Local execs call for multipartisan initiative to speed up Charter reforms

Local executives are seeking support from various political parties to fast-track Charter change and end all extra-constitutional power grabs that they said would only bring the country back to authoritarian rule and scuttle its promising economic rebound.

Major political parties represented by Nueva Ecija Gov. Tomas Joson, Eastern Samar Gov. Ben Evardone and Agusan del Sur Gov. Bong Plaza commended the Liberal Party (LP) for taking a united stand on Charter change or "Cha-cha."

Joson is a stalwart of the Nationalist People’s Coalition while Evardone belongs to the Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino. Plaza is a member of the ruling Lakas-Christian and Muslim Democrats party.

The three officials challenged all political parties to go beyond party lines and push for the non-violent legal option of amending the Constitution to ensure political stability and finally allow Filipinos to escape from generational poverty.

"All parties should emulate the Liberal Party for taking a united stand on Cha-cha," Evardone said.

After the ouster of Senate President Franklin Drilon as LP president, Manila Mayor Lito Atienza was elected as the new president and Presidential Chief of Staff Michael Defensor as chairman of the country’s oldest political party.

Evardone said the solution to poverty in the country is bold, sweeping changes by way of constitutional reforms that have been largely ignored and attacked on all fronts by anti-Arroyo politicians.

"Amending the Constitution will correct its outmoded and protectionist economic provisions, opening up the economy to much-needed foreign funds and technology that would be used to develop capital-intensive industries like the mining sector," Plaza said.

He said the entry of more foreign investments means "more jobs for Filipinos without seeking jobs overseas."

Plaza added that Cha-cha will also lead to a shift to a parliamentary form of government, which would prevent power grabs like the aborted coup last Feb. 24, a military-led conspiracy that would have plunged the country into authoritarian rule had Mrs. Arroyo not acted swiftly enough to thwart the attempt.

Mandaue City Councilor Carlo Fortuna, president of the Philippine Councilors League, said the shift to a unicameral legislature is expected to end legislative gridlock that has only stalled reform measures, split Congress into groups and transformed congressional hearings into virtual venues for political grandstanding and character assassination.

Fortuna said that due to the senators’ preoccupation with politicking, Congress is expected to approve the 2006 national budget by June at the earliest. This would result in undue delays in the implementation of social services such as the provision for primary health care and basic education, especially in the countryside, he said.

"A parliamentary government would put an end to these political bickering and economically crippling coup attempts because of greater transparency under this system. The national leadership, represented by the prime minister, can be easily held accountable by a vote of no confidence from the ruling party of the parliament," Fortuna said.

He added that fortunately for the Philippines, the strong macroeconomic fundamentals set in place by Mrs. Arroyo had insulated the peso and the stock market from the initial shock generated by the Feb. 24 coup attempt.

Fortuna also pointed out that even Goldman Sachs had forecast the peso to hit P48 against the dollar in 12 months.

International credit rating agencies Fitch and Standard & Poor’s, on the other hand, said they would retain their stable economic outlook for the Philippines following the government’s success in thwarting the coup attempt.