Despite objections, Senate to proceed with Charter change

Despite opposition from President Benigno Aquino III himself, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile on Monday said the Senate will proceed with the process to amend economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution. Earlier in the day, President Aquino stated his opposition to moves to amend the Constitution. But Enrile stressed said that although he respects Aquino's opinion, it remains a "mere opinion." "That is his position. But it’s up to Congress, not the President, to amend the Constitution. The authority was given to Congress," he told reporters in an interview. "Even if the President wants to amend the Constitution, if Congress will not act, he cannot do it. But if Congress will, the President cannot do anything. He cannot veto the measure," Enrile added. The Senate president likewise answered allegations that they did not consult minority members of the Senate when they agreed with House leaders last week to deliberate and vote separately on Charter change. "Well we don’t not have to consult the minority. That’s why they are minority if they know their position," he said. Still, Enrile said they will consult them in "due course." "We just talked about the procedure and we have not even discussed the substance in that meeting," he said. "My God, they better also think that we are thinking people. We are not irresponsible members of the Senate. I will not accept the implication that we are irresponsible. We respect their opinion. If they want to debate it publicly, we’re willing to take them on, all of them," he added. Enrile, meanwhile, also defended their decision to vote separately on whether or not to proceed with Charter change. "The voting separately is embedded in the Constitution itself. We vote separately. We are two Houses," he said. — RSJ, GMA News