Party members said the split may be resolved only through a party caucus or a declaration from the President himself.
On one side is the group led by Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr.
and Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II who fear that extending the
President’s term would derail their campaign to amend the Charter, but
only for lifting caps on foreign investments in the country.
and Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II who fear that extending the
President’s term would derail their campaign to amend the Charter, but
only for lifting caps on foreign investments in the country.
“A second term means changing the Constitution. That’s not so
easy. Anyway, I believe there is no divide, everyone has his own
opinion,” said Belmonte in a text message.
easy. Anyway, I believe there is no divide, everyone has his own
opinion,” said Belmonte in a text message.
An LP ally, the Akbayan party-list, had declared it would not
join the move to amend the Charter to make it possible for Aquino to
seek a second term.
join the move to amend the Charter to make it possible for Aquino to
seek a second term.
“Frankly, this is empty talk that is discouraged by the
President himself who has been firmly against any change in any part of
the Constitution,” said Akbayan Rep. Walden Bello.
President himself who has been firmly against any change in any part of
the Constitution,” said Akbayan Rep. Walden Bello.
On the other side is the group of mostly “original” LP members advocating a second term for the President.
“Everyone has an opinion on term extension but in the ultimate
analysis, we consult our constituents on major issues. This is the
beauty of democracy,” said Iloilo Rep. Jerry Treñas, one of the leading
proponents of the call for Aquino to seek another term.
analysis, we consult our constituents on major issues. This is the
beauty of democracy,” said Iloilo Rep. Jerry Treñas, one of the leading
proponents of the call for Aquino to seek another term.
Caloocan Rep. Edgar Erice has said that he would file a
resolution seeking to amend the constitutional provision prescribing a
single six-year term limit and no reelection, for the President.
resolution seeking to amend the constitutional provision prescribing a
single six-year term limit and no reelection, for the President.
Iloilo Rep. Niel Tupas Jr. said that while amending this
particular provision of the Constitution would be “always difficult,”
considering the potentially divisive process and the mandatory
plebiscite, he has not shut the door to the possibility of the President
running for a second term.
particular provision of the Constitution would be “always difficult,”
considering the potentially divisive process and the mandatory
plebiscite, he has not shut the door to the possibility of the President
running for a second term.
“If there will be a strong clamor from the people, then the
party leadership will have to meet and take a stand on the issue,”
said Tupas.
party leadership will have to meet and take a stand on the issue,”
said Tupas.
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