Belmonte: Cha-cha talks to proceed even without Palace nod

The House of Representatives will continue deliberations on proposals to amend economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution despite the lack of support from President Benigno Aquino III, Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. said Tuesday. At a press briefing, Belmonte said the lower chamber will push through with committee discussions on Charter change to determine if the country’s constitutional provisions on the economy needs to be changed. "Even now, I still think it is still a good time to do it, but whether we should do it or if this is the way to do it, kailangan pa natin magkaroon ng hearings dito… We will still continue our hearings on it [Cha-cha]," he told reporters. Belmonte made this statement after Aquino categorically expressed on Monday his disapproval of moves to amend the current Constitution. That same day, however, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile stressed that even with the President's opposition, the Senate will proceed with the process to amend economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution. Last Thursday, Congress leaders agreed to separately deliberate and vote on Cha-cha through a bicameral constituent assembly. Belmonte said that while the President’s opinion on Cha-cha matters, the House wants to get "empirical evidence" on whether or not to proceed with amending the Constitution. "Given na we are making progress in the area of a corruption-free government, it really behoves us to study it [Cha-cha] once and for all… The best way to convince him [Aquino] is to get evidence," he said. — RSJ, GMA News