House minority: PNoy opposition to Cha-cha just for show

President Benigno Aquino III is intentionally keeping his hands off attempts to amend the 1987 Constitution to maintain his popularity, members of the minority bloc at the House of Representatives said Wednesday. Opposition lawmakers said Aquino and his congressional allies are just “putting on a great show" to be able to proceed with Charter change while making the President “enjoy his personal popularity." “It is unbelievable that Malacañang is trying to detach itself from the Cha-cha train when the allies of the President are the ones pushing for this constitutional change," Minority Leader Edcel Lagman said at a press briefing. “The President just wants to stick to his campaign promise that he is not in favor of Cha-cha but at the same time, give the go signal to his allies to proceed with Cha-cha. In other words, that’s a zarzuela, a moro-moro," he added. Last Monday, Aquino categorically rejected moves to change economic provisions of the Constitution, saying it will not resolve the country’s problems. Despite this, both leaders of the Senate and the House of Representatives expressed intentions to proceed with moves to amend the Constitution even without Palace support. During the term of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the same minority congressmen—then members of the majority—also pushed for Charter change. Their attempts, however, did not prosper due to suspicion that it will be used to extend Arroyo’s term of office. Deputy Minority Leader Danilo Suarez, meanwhile, warned that the House majority may change provisions of the Constitution not related to the country’s economy. “Unlimited ang puwedeng pag-usapan once a constituent assembly starts," he said at the same press briefing. The opposition bloc also urged the public “to be watchful" of the Aquino administration’s “ulterior motives" during discussions on Charter change. — KBK, GMA News