Senate chief Enrile: Cha-cha is dead

MANILA, Philippines - Even for Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, himself an advocate of Charter change, the move to amend the 1987 Constitution has nowhere to go now. "Chacha? Wala na yung Chacha. Hanggang ngayon ba may nananaginip pa ng Chacha. Wala na yun… I would say that it’s too far fetched already [There is no Chacha. Are they still dreaming of it]," Enrile said in a press conference Friday. Earlier reports said there is a move to oust House Speaker Prospero Nograles and replace him with someone who is more friendly to Malacañang and who would push for Chacha [Charter change]. Enrile said as the election period nears, lawmakers no longer have the time to discuss the proposals. "With the remaining days, election is just around the corner, there is no more time [for Chacha]. Even if they can control the House [of Representatives], how about the Senate," Enrile said. In earlier interviews, the Senate President said he is in favor of amending the Constitution but he will not use his position to force his colleagues at the Senate to have the same opinion as his. - Amita Legaspi, GMANews.TV