Con-com mulls possibility of GMA staying in power until 2010

The menu of options for a new Charter and a new system of governance is now under review.

The committee on transitory provisions of the 54-member presidential consultative commission (con-com) tasked to propose amendments to the 1987 Constitution may allow President Arroyo to keep her post until 2010, the time at which the country is expected to shift to a parliamentary and federal system of government.

Con-com deputy secretary-general Romela Bengzon, who also chairs the con-com’s committee on transitory provisions, said in a statement that this scenario is one of three proposals that the committee is now discussing.

Under the proposal allowing Mrs. Arroyo to remain in office until 2010, there will also be no elections so all elected officials at the national and local levels would keep their posts until 2010.

The President, the committee said, would be allowed to remain in power to respect the tenure of her office.

Once approved in a plebiscite, the shift from a presidential and bicameral system to a parliamentary and unicameral system would take place and all members of Congress and 30 percent of the Cabinet would automatically become members of the new parliament.

A second proposal under review by the committee on transitory provisions calls on all incumbent elected officials — including the President — to sacrifice the remainder of their terms to pave the way for new elections to be held either next year or in 2007, once the public approves the proposal for Charter change in a plebiscite to be held in March or April next year.

A third proposal seeks to make all senators automatic members of the new parliament until 2010. The President would also remain in office while a prime minister would be elected among the members of parliament.

Representatives of Congress and local officials, meanwhile, would have to seek election in 2007 under the new Charter that would need to be approved in a plebiscite by next year.

"The committee is keeping an open mind on these proposals and would welcome any other ideas or refinements that may come our way in the course of our regional consultations," Bengzon said. "Hopefully, we can arrive at an acceptable formula for the consideration of both the executive and legislative branches of government."

Bengzon said the three proposals have their advantages and disadvantages and must be subjected to thorough discussions and debates at the committee level, after which public consultations will be conducted.

Con-com commissioners conducted consultations yesterday with sectoral representatives in Manila.

According to the commissioners, a majority of those who participated in the consultations expressed approval of the proposal to shift the form of government to a parliamentary system and to liberalize the economic sector to allow for more foreign participation. — Mike Frialde