Palace dispels talks of Cha-cha train going full steam in 2009

MANILA, Philippines - Preparing for clean and credible elections in 2010 remains one of the priorities of the Arroyo administration, Malacañang said in a statement on Thnursday in reaction to critics' claims that moves to amend the Constitution will go on full steam in 2009. In a text message sent to reporters, presidential political adviser Gabriel Claudio chided administration critics for seeing "ghosts" of term extension in anything that Malacañang does. "Whatever the administration does, the President's critics will always see ghosts, shadows, and goblins of term extension," Claudio said. Claudio said that instead of engaging in political bickering, the administration would remain focused on preparing the country for the 2010 elections and impact of the global economic crisis. "The government will simply train its full attention and energy on effective governance, particularly in shielding our economy and people from the harsh impact of the global financial crisis. Priority governance will also include preparations for 2010, particularly in terms of ensuring clean, honest, orderly, and credible elections," Claudio said. Earlier in the day, President Gloria Arroyo said she would remain focused on the economy and how to protect it from the impact of the global economic meltdown this year. "Politics is not foremost in my mind," Mrs Arroyo said. "If I were always thinking about politics, I would not have been able to build all these roads in the Cordillera and all these (projects)...So let's talk economics, not politics." Last December 12, thousands of people from religious, civil society, and political groups held an interfaith rally in Makati City to show their oppositions to moves in Congress, particularly in the House, to change the Constitution and possibly extend the terms of Mrs Arroyo and other government officials. - Johanna Camille Sisante, GMANews.TV