Palace urges House to junk constituent assembly

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang urged yesterday Charter change proponents in the House of Representatives to consider the appeal of Makati City Rep. Teodoro Locsin Jr. to junk their efforts to convene a Senate-less constituent assembly to amend the Constitution.

Acting Executive Secretary Gabriel Claudio said Locsin’s appeal was “valid” especially in the context of the death of former President Corazon Aquino who has strongly opposed attempts to amend the Constitution she helped craft in 1987.

He said the Palace “respects” the call of Locsin who once served in Mrs. Aquino’s Cabinet.

“I’m confident the members of Congress and all others concerned will consider that call seriously and in the context of the departure of President (Aquino) as well as in the best interest of our country,” Claudio told the government-run Radyo ng Bayan.

It was apparently a shift in the Palace position on the controversial efforts in the House to amend the Constitution that critics say is an attempt to prolong President Arroyo’s stay in power.

Administration officials had earlier said the Palace had nothing to do with such moves in Congress but maintained its position on the need for constitutional reforms.

Claudio, however, later told The STAR in a telephone interview that the position of the Palace has not changed.

But he admitted that part of the context was that the Charter change issue was also “divisive.”

He pointed out that some administration allies as well as the Commission on Elections have stressed that there is no more time for Charter change.

“We’re just saying the view of Congressman Locsin is valid and deserves serious consideration,” Claudio said.