Roxas: Pinoys can't rely on GMA promise on 2010 polls

Liberal President Senator Mar Roxas yesterday said revelations that President Arroyo herself ordered the vote on the constituent assembly resolution is clear proof that Filipinos cannot rely on her word that polls will push through in 2010 as scheduled.

Roxas said the Con-ASSwang (constituent assembly) railroaded by Palace allies at the House of Representatives is too potent to be fought by any single group.

"Kelangan talaga ng panlaban sa mga aswang sa Malacanang," he said.

He added false assurance from President Arroyo that the 2010 presidential elections would push through are not enough to assuage public outrage over the unconstitutional action of her House minions.

"Kulang ang salita lamang sa Pangulong lasing na sa kapangyarihan. Alam naman nating lahat na hindi siya marunong tumupad sa kanyang mga pangako," he said, referring to the 2003 broken promise of Mrs. Arroyo that she was not running for president in the 2004 polls.

The Visayan senator said the public is waiting for a decisive act from the President: "Magpakatotoo ka, Pangulong Arroyo. Aminin mong ikaw mismo ang nag-utos na ipasa na ang Con-Asswang. O kung hindi, iutos mong ibaon na nang tuluyan ang maitim na balak na sirain ang demokrasya sa ating bayan."

Public outrage over the railroaded approval of House Resolution 1109 allowing the convening of a Senate-less constituent assembly has spread throughout the country. Various groups have announced street protests to dramatize public's rejection of House moves to amend the Charter and lift term limits, allowing President Arroyo to extend her term and stay in Malacañang beyond 2010.

Roxas has sponsored Senate Resolution No. 1126, co-sponsored by Senators Benigno Aquino III and Rodolfo Biazon, urging Mrs. Arroyo to exercise her constitutional and moral duties to the public by affirming the unconstitutionality of HR 1109.