MANILA, Philippines - A day before the House Committee on Constitutional Amendments resumes it hearings on Charter change, House Speaker Prospero Nograles Jr on Monday urged critics of the Arroyo administration not to "thwart badly-needed Constitutional reforms" on mere speculations and innuendos.

In a statement, Nograles said he hopes critics of Charter change will engage in a mature, civil, and impassionate exchange of views on the matter even as he said he expects government critics to use the controversy to generate protests against the administration.

"The Cha-cha moves will always remain controversial in any administration, past, present or future, and won't get any unanimity. That's the reason why as leader of the House, I would like to push for an open, public and transparent debate with no hidden agenda and with cards on the table," Nograles said.

"We should not be shouting at each other and simply say that the other side is right and we are wrong. We should put forward the facts to justify our positions instead of simply getting hysterical about it," he added.

Nograles, the author of a House resolution seeking to relax the Constitution's economic provisions, said lawmakers should view the issue with an open mind.

"I remember when as House Majority Leader, we were pushing for the E-VAT taxes and there were massive public rallies and protests. But today, these tax measures have saved us from economic perdition. That's a fact. So free assembly and speech should never affect vital legislations and initiatives but rather it should open our eyes and ears to look more and to listen some more but not to withdraw and retreat just because of it," he said.

Nograles reiterated that term extensions for incumbent government officials are not included in the agenda of Charter change propoentns in the House as he urged lawmakers to go beyond party affiliations in deciding on the issue.

"Constitutional reform is larger than partisan interests. It involves correcting the defects of the Constitution. It underscores our ability to embrace or reject change," Nograles said.

The House committee on Constitutional Amendments chaired by La Union Rep. Victor Ortega is set to resume on Tuesday afternoon its hearings on Charter change. Included in its agenda is Nograles's House Resolution 737, which proposing amendments to sections 2 and 3 in Art XII of the Constitution "to allow the acquisition by foreign corporations and associations and the transfer of conveyance thereto of alienable public lands and private lands."

Nograles's resolution has been backed by at least 163 House members, while another resolution authored by Kampi president and Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Villafuerte has been signed by at least 160, including presidential son and Pampanga Rep. Juan Miguel "Mikey" Arroyo. The Villafuerte resolution seeks to convene Congress into a constituent assembly that will amend the Constitution. - Johanna Camille Sisante, GMANews.TV