LP calls for Constitutional Convention in 2010; Says no to "Gloria Forever" Constitution

The Liberal Party will oppose by all means the attempts to change the Constitution and perpetuate the wrongdoings of the present administration, its President Senator Mar Roxas said today.

To counter the ongoing moves in the House by allies of the Arroyo Administration to push a "Gloria Forever" Constitution, LP senators and congressmen will file separate bills in the Senate and the House of Representatives calling for a constitutional convention to be elected in the 2010 national elections, Roxas said.

"Kitang-kita natin sa pagpilit nitong Cha-Cha sa mababang kapulungan na ang gusto ng ating kababayan ay binalewala para lang dito sa 'Gloria Forever' na Saligang Batas (We can see that by forcing Cha-Cha in the lower House that the will of our people has been ignored for this 'Gloria Forever' Constitution)," he said, referring to attempts in the House of Representatives to railroad amendments to the Constitution that would remove term limits for the incumbent President.

"Maski ilang congressman pa ang sumuporta sa Cha-Cha ay kailangan pa rin ang hiwalay na boto ng Senado rito dahil ito ang demokratikong proseso natin (No matter how many congressmen support Cha-Cha, a separate vote by the Senate is still needed, because this is our democratic process)," he said.

The Ilonggo senator said that the government should prioritize helping the people during the global economic crisis, whose effects have yet to be fully felt in the country.

"Mas lalo pang mahihirapan ang taong bayan, at mas maraming mawawalan ng trabaho, kung hindi tumigil itong pagwasak sa ating demokrasya at ekonomiya (Our people are going to experience even greater hardships, and more will lose their jobs, if the destruction of our democracy and economy does not stop)," he said.

Roxas maintained that if a constituent assembly is to be convened, this should be voted on separately by the House and Senate. However, the Liberal Party will push for a constitutional convention consisting of duly elected delegates in 2010.

"Kung papalitan ang Saligang Batas, ay hindi dapat makinabang ang mga kasalukuyang opisyal. Kaya tinutulak ng Partido Liberal ang isang constitutional convention, na ang miyembro ay pipiliin kasabay ng halalan ng 2010 (If we are to change our Constitution, the present officials should not benefit. That is why the Liberal Party is pushing a constitutional convention, whose members will be chosen at the same time as the 2010 elections)," he said.