BY BULATLAT

The umbrella group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan-New Patriotic Alliance) challenged Mrs. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to put into writing that she would not seek to extend her term beyond 2010.

The challenge came after a United States think-tank revealed a study that charter change to extend the president’s term remains an option of the administration.

Bayan secretary general Renato M. Reyes, Jr. said, “We challenge her to put in writing that she won’t support and benefit from any move that will result in a term extension for her and her allies. She must also be the first to stop moves that aim to change the constitution. It has to come from the proverbial horse’s mouth.”

Reyes, however, said that declaring her intentions is “only half the problem.”

“Of course we have seen before how the president turned on her word. In 2002 she said she wouldn’t run, only to reverse herself less than a year later. Still, Mrs. Arroyo should make a categorical statement on the matter,” Reyes said.

The group vowed to continue opposing moves to amend the constitution. Reyes said the House of Representatives is ‘trying to push charter change and has brushed aside formal public hearings on the matter.’

The House Committee on Constitutional Amendments will vote on the need and manner of charter change as soon as the different congressional representatives finish their “consultation” with their constituents. Reyes said there is also a proposal for a specific amendment to the provision that bans 100 percent foreign ownership of land. (Bulatlat)

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