House allies run to GMA’s side on Binay’s ‘no-extension’ dare

02/27/2009

President Arroyo’s allies in the House of Representatives led by Speaker Prospero Nograles yesterday brushed aside the call made by Makati City Mayor and United Opposition president Jejomar Binay for her to categorically state that she will step down from Malacañang at the end of her term in 2010 and will not seek to extend her hold on the presidency.

Nograles said there was no need for Mrs. Arroyo to “call” Binay’s dare as the President is mandated to step down after his or her term expires, as stated under the Constitution.

“(The President) Stepping down after the term limit is in the Constitution. There is no need to say it again and again,” the Speaker said.

House Majority Leader, Iloilo province Rep. Arthur Defensor said Binay made such a call to merely produce “political sound bites” as the national elections next year draw near.

“Elections are near so these politicians are willing to say and do anything to get their mugs in the news,” Defensor said.

He also said Mrs. Arroyo has already said she will step down in 2010 many times and there was no need for her to repeat it.

“How can she say otherwise? It’s very clear in the Constitution that she only has until 2010 (to serve her term as President). To extend (that term), you need to amend the Constitution which is impossible when the Senate won’t agree (to such),” Defensor stressed.

Another lawmaker, Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante, said Mrs. Arroyo’s administration has “always batted for the rule of law.”

“...although I understand Mayor Binay’s concern, I still think that it will not be a problem for the President to step down. She will, in obedience to the Constitution,” Abante said.

On Wednesday, Binay dared Mrs. Arroyo to publicly pledge that she will step down at the end of her presidential term next year, saying her continued silence on the issue has prompted her allies in Congress to move to amend the Constitution on the prime intention of lifting the term limits of all elected officials, including hers.

Administration congressmen, however, have been denying that their push for Charter change was aimed at extending the terms of officials which are already expiring, including that of the President, saying it is rather focused on a bid for the lifting of the Constitution’s economic provisions that are stifling the country’s progress. Gerry Baldo

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