Eastern Samar solon expects congressional support

CEBU, Philippines - Evardone, in a radio interview, said that at this time he got confirmation of support from Reps. Sergio Apostol (2nd dist., Leyte), Andy Salvacion (3rd dist., Leyte), Boying Cari (5th dist., Leyte), and Mel Sarmiento (1st dist., Samar).

Evardone said he was also hoping to get the support of Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez (1st dist., Leyte), and An Waray party-list Rep. Florencio Noel.

Noel, for his part, has earlier aired his opposition for Charter change, saying it is still untimely, even if he agreed that there is a need to revisit the Constitution, especially on its economic provisions.

In a separate interview, former Samar congressman Reynaldo Uy, now mayor of Calbayog City, said he was one of the congressman who strongly supported the Cha-cha proposal during his term.

His stand at the time was for extension of terms for all elected officials from three to six years, similar to the president's, contending that the an election every three years would be too expensive and divisive. "Why don't we change the Constitution now?" he asked.

Evardone, chair of the House public information committee, said his proposed Cha-cha bill calls for an election of delegates to a Constitutional Convention. He said he would be staking his credibility on this matter and believed the people would not suspect that his bill is intended to let politicians stay long in power.

Previous Cha-cha attempts were strongly opposed because the Filipinos suspected then that it was meant to extend the terms of sitting elected officials, said Evardone, adding that his bill focus only on changing the Charter's economic provisions to make it attune to the present situation.

"I have a big hope to get the support of the congressmen in the region and the majority number of the members of Congress. I am after the timing and urgency to change of the country's 27-year-old Constitution," Evardone said.

"I firmly believe that this is the most opportune time to propose amendments to the Constitution because the president's credibility is beyond question," said the Eastern Samar congressman who only recently joined the Liberal Party of the Aquino administration. - THE FREEMAN