Duterte to Cha-ha advocates: Don't fool the people

DAVAO CITY, Philippines - Mayor Rodrigo Duterte sneered at proponents of Charter change in Congress, saying their ultimate desire is to extend their terms above anything else. Duterte said the so-called "economic benefits" Charter change would bring are just a front of the lawmakers, especially those in their last term, as all they want is to stay in power. "Don't fool the people. You just want to extend your term," the mayor said during his television program "Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa" Sunday. Duterte said he believes that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is against extending her stay in power. He advised lawmakers to stop their Cha-cha efforts if they don't want trouble. He said Charter change must only be worked out after 2010 when a new set of elected officials is named. He added that Cha-cha must also be made through constituent convention and not constituent assembly as planned by the House of Representatives under Speaker Prospero Nograles, Duterte's arch political rival. - SunStar Davao