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ANTI-CHA-CHA
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| Drilon |
Senate President Franklin Drilon believes the proposed charter change is not the appropriate solution to resolve the current political turmoil in the country.
Speaking before members of the Iloilo media Sunday at Tatoy's Restaurant in Arevalo district, Drilon said the proposed charter change will not eradicate corruption in government which is the very root cause of the country's present problems.
“What we need is not a change in the system but a change in the character of the people in government,” Drilon said.
Drilon even hinted that former Pres. Fidel Ramos and House Speaker Jose De Venecia, the proponents of the proposed shift from the presidential to the parliamentary form of government, have personal interests in pushing for charter change.
The Senate President earlier withdrew his support from Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and called for her resignation amid allegations of cheating in the 2004 elections and involvement of the presidential family in illegal numbers game.
Drilon, however, explained that he is not in favor of any uncostitutional means to remove the president.
He said if Arroyo chooses to cling to power despite the mounting protests against her administration their other option is to impeach the president.
He said the Liberal Party which he heads is fully supportive of the impeachment complaint against Arroyo.
Drilon warned though that if Pres. Arroyo remains in power she could no longer act effectively because she has a lot of compromises to do relative to the present political scenario in order to save her administration.
Drilon went home to Iloilo last Sunday to redeem himself from the Ilonggos following strong criticisms about his decision to withdraw support from Arroyo.
The whole morning of his visit he did the rounds explaining to the Ilonggos his reason for withdrawing support from the president.
He clarified that he is not interested with the vice presidency reason why he has withdrawn his support from the Arroyo administration. He said he was only following the right path dictated by his conscience.
Drilon refused to answer questions pertaining to the local political scenario particularly on the pronouncements made by Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez Sr. against him. He said Gonzalez's prouncements were merely “petty politically motivated and unfounded attacks which I will not dignify.”
At Tatoy's Restaurant Drilon had lunch with Governor Niel D. Tupas, Sr. and his other supporters.
However, it was noted that unlike the launching of his Ugyon Party before the elections last year the function room occupied for the occasion was not full.
Only six municipal mayors were present, namely, mayors Isabelo Maquino (Sta. Barbara), Arcadio Gorriceta (Pavia), June Mondejar (New Lucena), Juanito Alipao (Alimodian), Gerardo Flores (Miag-ao), and Raul Tupas (Barotac Viejo).
Others present were resigned Land Reform Secretary Rene Villa, Board Members Domingo Oso and Cecilia Capadosa.
There was also not much fun fare as there were no welcome streamers or program to welcome the Senate President.
