Administration lawmakers seek caucus with GMA on Cha-cha

Administration congressmen sought a caucus yesterday with President Arroyo to clear up the confusion on what she really wants to do with her Charter change (Cha-cha) initiative.

In a joint statement, Representatives Edwin Uy of Isabela and Eduardo Veloso of Leyte said it would be best for Mrs. Arroyo "to set the records straight if amending the Constitution is indeed the right path for the betterment of the country."

"If it is, then let’s do it against all odds. That is political will. After all, it is the President who will be held accountable for the success or failure of Cha-cha, not the self-appointed leaders who are not even elected to public office," they said.

They said in their proposed caucus, they could also discuss preparations for the combined congressional-local elections in May 2007.

Mrs. Arroyo’s House allies have been confused by her statement the other day reviving the Cha-cha initiative after burying it a week ago.

On Wednesday, Majority Leader Prospero Nograles told reporters that he and his colleagues do not know what direction to take on Cha-cha.

"We are getting mixed signals. Some of us are radio-tuned in the FM band, while others are locked in the AM band," he said without elaborating.

He said he hoped administration congressmen could clear the air next month when Congress resumes its session.

"We will let the Christmas holidays pass without discussing Cha-cha. It has divided our country already," he added.

Minority Leader Francis Escudero said the resurrection of Cha-cha shows the "treachery of this administration."

"They tried to ram it down the nation in the dead of night, shelved it when an angry public protested, even pronouncing that it’s dead, and are now trying to revive it, perhaps thinking that the people have let their guard down," he said.

He warned Mrs. Arroyo and her allies that the people remain vigilant against any "trickery" on their part.

The President and her House allies had abandoned their Cha-cha via a Senate-less constituent assembly (con-ass) initiative in the face of mounting opposition to it from the Church, civil society and the public in general.

After shelving con-ass, House leaders, including De Venecia and Nograles, told the nation that Cha-cha via con-ass was dead and has been entombed.

In a related development, a House leader blamed Palace officials yesterday for the embarrassment congressmen have suffered from their Senate-less con-ass adventure and the constitutional crisis they nearly brought about.

"We would not have gone into this had they (Malacanang officials) not assured us of the participation of the Senate," he said.

He admitted that they knew all along that a Senate-less con-ass was constitutionally questionable.