While President Benigno Aquino III has always maintained that amending the country’s Constitution was not a priority of his administration, an outspoken Catholic archbishop has not taken Aquino’s pronouncement hook, line and sinker.
Retired Archbishop Oscar Cruz claimed that Malacañang controls Congress and solons would not make any move without the former’s blessing.
“If the Senate President and the Speaker of the House met (regarding) Charter change it’s so hard to believe that the executive department has no hand in this,” Cruz said.
Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and Speaker Feliciano Belmonte announced earlier that their move to amend the Charter would only be limited to economic provisions.
The two lawmakers said they had agreed not to accommodate resolutions that had nothing to do with the economy.
“If the Constitution will be changed and they say it’s economic provisions, I think there is more, especially to accommodate divorce, among others,” Cruz averred.
“Aside from other provisions, I’m sure this will be touched upon. I hope my perception is wrong,” he said.
The church official called on Aquino to categorically reveal his position on Constitutional amendments when he delivered his State of the Nation Address on Monday.
“I want to hear him discussing the Hacienda Luisita and highlight(ing) his position on Charter change,” Cruz demanded.
Aquino admitted he was open to discussing the ideas of Enrile and Belmonte.