UNA candidates favor Cha-cha

MANILA, Philippines - Senatorial candidates of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) are in favor of amending the economic provisions of the Constitution and term limits of elected public officials.

Seven UNA bets disclosed their respective stands on Charter change and other issues during a visit to The STAR office Monday night.

Former senator Richard Gordon said he wants the constitutional provision on foreign ownership of lands amended to boost the country’s economy.

Gordon also suggested a longer term of office for the president.

“Two terms maybe, four more years for the president. I wouldn’t mind having a longer term for the president provided the party system exists,” Gordon said.

Former Senate president Ernesto Maceda said he is in favor of allowing foreigners to own land in the country.

Maceda noted that many Koreans and Japanese come to the country, marry Filipinas and eventually buy lands to settle here.

President Aquino’s aunt, Tingting Cojuangco, said she is in favor of Charter change.

Zambales Rep. Mitos Magsaysay said it is high time to revisit the constitutional provision on term limits of elected officials.

“It is time to review the Constitution because a lot of our laws are already obsolete,” she said.

FOI bill, divorce

Meanwhile, Nancy Binay, eldest daughter of Vice President Jejomar Binay, called for the ratification of the Freedom of Information (FOI) bill.

Binay said the measure will ensure transparency in government and keep the Filipino people well informed about the government’s programs.

She also expressed opposition to the possibility of having a divorce law in the country.

“Instead of breaking the family, the government must help couples strengthen their marriage,” she said.

Former senator Migz Zubiri said he was the Senate majority leader in the 14th Congress when the FOI version in the Senate was ratified.

He said it is the right of the people to gather information they needed.

Being a Marian devotee, Zubiri said he is against divorce.

For his part, San Juan Rep. JV Ejercito, son of former President Joseph Estrada, said he will push for the passage of the FOI bill if he wins in the May elections.

Estrada blamed Malacañang for blocking the passage of the measure.

“It (FOI bill) was a campaign promise of President Aquino, but it was taken out of the list of priority measures,” he said.

Magsaysay, meanwhile, said she was one of those who pushed for the passage of the FOI bill in the 14th Congress.

“I am for FOI, but I don’t like its watered down version in the 15th Congress,” she added.

Magsaysay said Rep. Ben Evardone intentionally stalled the passage of the measure.

Maceda echoed Magsaysay’s statement, saying the lack of support from Malacañang for the FOI bill is clear proof that it is not complying with its commitment to transparency and accountability.