Enrile hopeful P-Noy will listen to Cha-cha arguments

MANILA, Philippines - Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile yesterday expressed optimism that President Aquino would listen to the arguments on the need to amend the Constitution.

Enrile said he and Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. would meet Aquino today to discuss the merits of amending the Charter.

Enrile allayed fears by some sectors that any move to amend the Constitution would also mean possible changes in the form of government.

As regards amending the economic provisions, Enrile said it does not necessarily mean that the lawmakers will remove outright the 60-40 foreign ownership in businesses. 

“We should have flexibility,” Enrile stressed.

Enrile said he and Belmonte would be explaining to Aquino their proposal to amend the economic provisions of the Constitution in a bid to make it more viable for businessmen. 

“We will be presenting our proposal and we will see the reaction of the President. We must maintain that, the President is not under us, neither are we under him. We are independent branches of the government. So we are going to exercise our principle of coordination with the executive,” Enrile said in a radio interview.

Enrile also said he and Belmonte would still need to present their arguments before their respective members.

“It would depend on (Aquino’s) position over the issue,” Enrile said.