House minority bloc divided on Cha-cha, says Rep. Abante

House Minority Leader Benny Abante Jr. on Wednesday said their bloc members are divided on Charter change (Cha-cha).

In a forum in Manila, Abante said that the lawmakers in the bloc have the freedom to stand for what they believe.

“The minority bloc right now is quite different from the minority bloc in the past. Ibig sabihin, ako, I allow the minority members to speak of their advocacy,” Abante said.

“Ibig sabihin, ang iba dyan ay ayaw nila ng Charter change. I've always been consistent ever since when I was a councilor that I want the constitution to be amended,” he added.

However, Abante pointed out that talking about constitutional amendments amid the pandemic is bad timing. For him, the focus right now should be on COVID-19 response.

“But to me right now, I don't think it is time for us to even touch the constitutional amendments with the pandemic that we have today,” he said.

“Charter change is more politics than anything else,” he added.

Over 1,000 municipal mayors will campaign for the Duterte Administration's push for constitutional reforms as these will supposedly empower local government units.

League of Municipalities of the Philippines president Narvacan, Ilocos Sur Mayor Chavit Singson said that 1,488 mayors expressed interest in some constitutional amendments. —LBG, GMA News