Let go of constituent assembly in deference to Cory - Locsin

MANILA, Philippines - Makati Rep. Teodoro “Teddyboy” Locsin Jr. yesterday called on his colleagues at the House of Representatives to forgo its Senate-less constituent assembly, in deference to the late President Corazon Aquino.

In an interview over GMA-7, the former newspaper publisher said lawmaker-allies of President Arroyo should have the decency to let go of Charter change moves, out of respect for Mrs. Aquino, under whose administration the 1987 Constitution was crafted.

While House Resolution 1109 has been approved by viva voce in plenary, discussions on the measure have been “deferred” indefinitely, since the House has yet to decide on what to do.

The upper chamber, through Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, has reiterated that they will not allow any amendments to the Charter before 2010, meaning there will be no changes in the Constitution under the term of Mrs. Arroyo.

Although divided on several issues, congressmen were united in grieving the death of the former president.

Locsin, who served as Mrs. Aquino’s speechwriter and press secretary, said the country “has just lost a moral leader.”

He said he and his colleagues worked for the Aquino administration “with pride because we knew that no one was stealing from the government coffers, something that we cannot say today.”

House Majority Leader Arthur Defensor said Mrs. Aquino “shall always be the eternal flame in our fight for the restoration of democracy.”  – With Jess Diaz