Nograles willing to take ‘Concon’ route if ‘Con-ass’ fails

MANILA, Philippines — House Speaker Prospero Nograles has said he has no problems with the constitutional convention (Concon) method of amending the Philippine national charter if the constituent assembly (Con-ass) route won’t work. In an article posted on House of Representatives website, Nograles said what is more important to him is to get the public to agree to a constitutional amendment so that the necessary economic reforms would be carried out. "The mode through which reforms can be instituted is just a secondary concern. Any mode is okay with me as long as it will correct the Constitution's highly restrictive economic provisions. What matters most is to hasten reforms so that this country can move on and fast," he said. "I would tow the Concon line if that's the brick position of the Senate, if it's the only way we can break the stalemate. What is vital is to achieve fundamental reforms," he added. Nograles also expressed dismay that the cry for Charter reforms were being associated with the self-serving plan of some legislators to extend their term of office or removing limits to their terms. Members of the House of Representatives and local executives — from governor down to barangay officials — are allowed only three consecutive three-year terms by the 1987 Philippine Constitution. The president is allowed a single six-year term of office. Critics fear that Arroyo’s allies in the House of Representatives are seeking to rewrite the Constitution because they want to remove the limit to the President’s term and to extend their own terms of office. Nograles, however, maintained that his intention is purely economic. "The House Resolution which I filed only zero(es) in on the economic provisions that would allow the ownership by foreign corporations and associations of alienable public or private lands and promote the influx of foreign investments," he stressed. He also appealed for a fair, objective and comprehensive debate on the issues affecting the move for reformation. "This is what democracy is all about. Each member of the House is free to bring to fore issues of public concern, including what and how to institute reforms in the Constitution," Nograles said. Unlike Malacaňang, which dismissed El Shaddai leader Jose Velarde’s threat of marching against “Charter change" as no different from the objections of others, Nograles said the threat should not be taken lightly. He noted that Velarde has hundreds of thousands of followers whose sentiments should also be heard. Aie Balagtas See, GMANews.TV