Aquino nixes proposals to amend Constitution

President Benigno Aquino III on Monday thumbed down the congressional move to proceed with the process of amending the economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution. “We are in a democratic country, all of these ideas should be explored but if I’m asked my personal opinion I don’t think Chacha is a necessary move at this point in time," Aquino told reporters after administering the oath of office to newly-appointed officials. Among those who took their oath of office were Philippine National Police chief deputy director general Nicanor Bartolome, officials of the Philippine Press Institute, and Filipino Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, Inc. Aquino said his position on the issue of Charter change has been consistent. “Sa palagay ko napakapublic ng positions ko dyan for such a long time. Yung mode na Con Ass (Constitutional Assembly) tinutulan ko nung araw yan," he said. Aquino said he will listen to the arguments of the leaders of Congress but he does not think that amending the economic provisions of the Constitution will be the solution to boost the country’s economy. “Yung reasoning na economic provisions pag uusapan namin ng mga leaders, syempre kailangan kong pakinggan yung magkabilang panig. Hindi ako sang-ayon na yun ang solusyon para palaguin ang ating economiya," he said. The President cited China as an example. “China alam natin ang sistema ng kanilang batas pero ang laki laki ng merkado. Yun ang nag-eengganyo na dumating yung mga mamumuhunan. Ngayon na tumataas ang presyo sa dating cheap na labor, umaalis na rin po ang ibang investors lumilipat ng ibang lugar," he said. “Yung economic advantage of setting up in a country rather than yung political system na umiiral na batayan kung bakit nagkakaroon ng namumuhunan o hindi," Aquino added. Asked if his allies advised him earlier about their decision, he said Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile talked about it at one point but only in passing as they were discussing other topics during that time. House and Senate leaders on Thursday last week agreed to deliberate and vote separately on Chacha. The two chambers of Congress held their first ever legislative summit that day to reconcile their priority bills and to tackle how they will proceed with proposals to amend the Constitution. - VVP, GMA News