LP won’t have stand on term extension

MANILA, Philippines - The Liberal Party is not going to have an official stand any time soon on whether or not it will sup- port moves to amend the political provisions of the Constitution even as President Aquino continues to consult the people on proposals for a second term, LP stalwarts said yesterday.

An LP leader, who declined to be identified, said Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II presided over a meeting attended by over 70 lawmakers yesterday at his residence in Quezon City where various national issues were discussed, including Charter change to allow Aquino to extend his term.

During the meeting, Roxas also sought the support of the LP lawmakers for the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law and gave assurance that the draft would be submitted to the House soon.

Former deputy speaker Raul Daza, on the other hand, discussed the legal issues surrounding the impeachment complaints filed against Aquino in connection with the controversial Disbursement Acceleration Program.

During the question and answer portion, the source said Quezon City Rep. Winston Castelo asked Roxas whether the LP would be holding a caucus to determine its stand on term extension for Aquino.

Roxas replied that there was no need for a caucus and that LP would not likely take an official stand on political Charter change.

“He (Aquino) continues to consult and listen to the people,” the source quoted Roxas as saying.

Another lawmaker present at the meeting con- firmed the exchange and added that Roxas claimed a poll showed that many Filipinos favor another term for Aquino.

Caloocan City Rep. Edgar Erice, who has been very vocal in pushing for a second term for Aquino, confirmed the meeting took place but refused to disclose the matters discussed.

In another meeting in Ortigas, another source said Senate and House leaders were skeptical of the attempts to undertake political Charter change in Congress.

The meeting was the regular monthly dialogue between leaders of the Senate and the House to coor- dinate efforts of both chambers in passing legislation. Among those present were Senate President Franklin Drilon, Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr., Senate Ma- jority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano, House Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II, Sen. Vicente Sotto and Marikina City Rep. Romero Quimbo.

The source said the vote of at least 18 senators is needed to pass proposals to amend the political provi- sions of the Constitution to lift term limits of officials, assuming this would be done through Congress.

However, three senators – Juan Ponce Enrile, Bong Revilla and Jinggoy Estrada – are detained, while Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is expected to oppose political Charter change.

“That’s impossible,” said the source, who was privy to the meeting.– With Delon Porcalla