No Cha-cha under Nograles

MANILA, Philippines – Speaker Prospero Nograles assured the public yesterday that the failed initiative to amend the Constitution would not be revived under his watch.

“Charter change should take place after we elect our new leaders in 2010,” he said in an interview.

Nograles debunked claims that pro-administration parties Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats and Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (Kampi) merged to allow President Arroyo to stay in power through Charter change (Cha-cha).

“It has nothing to do with Charter change,” he said.

“Let’s make it clear. The President will not shorten her term and the President will not extend her term.

“No shortening, no extension of term. That is clear in the Constitution.”

Nograles, who is also president of Lakas, said the merger was aimed at solidifying pro-administration forces for the 2010 presidential elections.

“Claims that the merger is designed to push for another Cha-cha are absolutely false and illogical,” he said.

“On the contrary, we want this merger in preparation for the 2010 elections. We want to unify two of the country’s biggest political parties, so we can have a powerhouse slate in 2010, from Batanes to Tawi-Tawi.”

Nograles said Lakas and Kampi hope to field a formidable slate in the 2010 elections.

They don’t want a repeat of the embarrassing defeat of the pro-administration Team Unity ticket in the May 2007 senatorial election, he added.

Nograles said Mrs. Arroyo will step down when her term ends in 2010.

“It is in the Constitution,” he said. “That is what the Constitution provides.” — Jess Diaz, Edith Regalado