Allow Noy to finish term, congressmen say

MANILA, Philippines - For the sake of the country’s stability and to save it from those lusting for power, President Aquino should be allowed to finish his six-year term of office until June 30, 2016, congressmen said yesterday.

Rep. Conrado Estrella lll of party-list group Abono deplored the call by some groups for Aquino to step down in the aftermath of the Mamasapano carnage that left 44 policemen, 18 Muslim guerillas and five civilians dead.

He said forcing the President to resign will do the country more harm than good.

“I believe that since we have a presidential form of government, it is not good for our democracy not to let the President finish his term…Otherwise, we should shift to the parliamentary system, where the prime minister and his Cabinet can be easily removed through a vote of no confidence by the parliament whenever they are not able to perform their mandate,” he said.

Estrella said he believes there is a better way “to address this issue (Mamasapano bloodbath) in a peaceful and sober manner. I strongly urge the country’s leaders, both in the administration and the opposition, to continue to seek the path of peace.”

Isabela Rep. Rodolfo Albano lll agreed with Estrella, saying those lusting for power should just wait for the next elections scheduled in May next year.

He noted that ousting Aquino or forcing him to resign through illegal means “will give the outside world the impression that our nation has backslide again into political immaturity and instability, which will scare away domestic and foreign investors.”

Another congressman, Ben Evardone of Eastern Samar, said those calling for the President’s resignation are just a minority. – With Janvic Mateo