Speaker Nograles nixes Cha-cha before 2010

Newly elected Speaker Prospero Nograles sees no immediate need for the House of Representatives to initiate Charter change (Cha-cha). In an interview with reporters on Tuesday, Nograles said that if there was a need to overhaul the 1987 Constitution, the change must be done after 2010, or after the term of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. “I think we should wait for the 2010 elections. Kung gusto talaga ng Cha-cha, I guess we should elect delegates to the Concon (Constitutional convention) together with the 2010 candidates," he said. Nograles said moves for Cha-cha would only create conflict if it would be initiated to extend the term of public officials, including that of President Arroyo. “It is divisive. Ngayon, kung sasabihing it’s a move to extend the term of the President, that’s false. I don’t think she wants to extend her term," he said. The Davao City representative said that while he wanted Cha-cha to help solve conflict in Mindanao, the overhaul of the Charter should be done at the proper time. Nograles, however, said he would not prevent House members from calling for congressional hearings on Cha-cha. - FIDEL JIMENEZ¸GMANews.TV