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Enrile says he won't use post to amend Charter


MANILA, Philippines - Newly-elected Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile on Tuesday afternoon assured that he will not use his position to force his colleagues at the Senate to amend the Constitution. In an interview with reporters, Enrile said that he cannot dictate on the members of the Senate. "It is only my opinion as a senator. I am not the Senate. I'm not the Congress. The one that will decide will be the Senate, composed of 24 senators minus one or minus two... one is alive but incarcerated," Enrile said. He said his position on Charter change should not be taken against him. "It was not something that came up only now. That is a position that I've taken all along that there is a need to review, revisit and revise the Constitution," Enrile said. He said it will depend on the senators if they will be persuaded and convinced by arguments that will be presented before them on the need to change the Charter. "If 22 of the senators or a majority of them will be persuaded they must abide by the rule of numbers, by the rule of the majority. If not, then I will abide by the rule of the majority," Enrile said. The Senate leader believed that the term extension of the elected officials should not be changed "unless the Constitutional body when convened, will decide otherwise." - Amita Legaspi, GMANews.TV
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