Oppose Cha-cha at all cost–JdV
REP. Jose de Venecia Jr. is one with the opposition in the House of Representatives in their battle cry to stop the charter change “at all cost”.
Speaking to newsmen in Dagupan City on Tuesday, De Venecia said while he is still president emeritus of the ruling party, Lakas Christian Muslim Democrats, he is prepared to file his leave anytime to join the fight against Cha-cha.
De Venecia said former President Fidel Ramos, Lakas chairman emeritus, is also against the amendment of the constitution at this time.
Both Ramos and De Venecia are supporting a constitutional change after President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo exits from office in 2010.
De Venecia, who was previously the chief proponent of Charter change when he was still House Speaker and in good terms with the President, said “there is a whale of difference” between his former advocacy and the present Cha-cha initiative.
“My move before was based on merit, genuine, authentic and a bona fide cry for parliamentary government. This time, they want to extend the term of incumbent elected officials from President down,” he said.
De Venecia also believes that any charter change will further divide the Philippines, which the country could ill-afford, especially in view of the global financial crisis which he thinks will have its full impact within the next few months.
“I hope President Arroyo and her allies in Congress will abandon the charter change movement because this will further divide the country.” De Venecia said.
Meanwhile, De Venecia hailed the inauguration of Barack Obama as 44th President of the United States even as he said “he (Obama) has an incredible complex of problems that he’ll not be able to easily overcome within his four-year term”.
He echoed the observation of leaders who attended the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Peru last year that they will “be over the hump in 18 months to two years”.#
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