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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Suarez welcomes Duterte's new Cha-cha stance, says ex-president's supporters should follow lead

Suarez welcomes Duterte's new Cha-cha stance, says ex-president's supporters should follow lead

Published Feb 26, 2024 06:13 am

At A Glance

  • House Deputy Speaker Rep. David "Jay-Jay" Suarez welcomed former President Rodrigo Duterte's renewed support for amending the Constitution, but insisted that the latter's supporters should follow his lead.

RODRIGUEZ_12132021-1.jpgFormer president Rodrigo Duterte (Malacañang photo)

House Deputy Speaker Rep. David “Jay-Jay” Suarez welcomed former President Rodrigo Duterte’s renewed support for amending the Constitution, but insisted that the latter's supporters should follow his lead.

“Natutuwa po ako sa pagbabago ng sentimyento ng dating pangulo, kaso lang mas magiging maganda po ito kung pati ang kaniyang mga sumusuporta ay sumalamin din sa posisyon ng dating pangulo,” Suarez said in a press conference on Monday, Feb. 26.

(I am happy with the change in the sentiment of the former president, however it would be better if his supporters would also reflect the position of the former president.)

During a prayer rally in Davao City on Jan. 28, Duterte warned that efforts to amend the 1987 Constitution will only divide the nation.

But during a subsequent prayer rally on Sunday, Feb. 25, this time in Cebu City, the former president changed his tune. He said he doesn’t have any problem with Charter change (Cha-cha) as long as it would not be to the political advantage of incumbent President Marcos.

Suarez, who represents the second district of Quezon province, says he is “very happy” with Duterte’s statement.

The ranking lawmaker said the ongoing efforts for Constitutional reform will only apply to certain “restrictive” economic provisions and not political provisions such as term extensions.

“Ever since we passed RBH (Resolution of Both Houses) 6 last year, it was just purely on economic provisions. We’ve been consistent with the position of the stand, from day one up until now,” noted Suarez.

“Makikita niyo naman sa RBH 7, mirror resolution ito ng Senado kaya doon talaga iikot ang deliberasyon sa economic amendments lamang,” he added.

(You will see in RBH 7, it is a mirror resolution of the Senate, so the deliberation will only revolve around economic amendments.)

Taguig 2nd district Rep. Amparo Maria Zamora suggests Duterte’s new stance comes from the clarity in the economic amendments being pushed by both chambers of Congress—the Senate and House of Representatives.

“That’s exactly what we’ve been saying from the beginning, that we’re pushing for charter change just to push for these economic amendments,” she said.

The House, acting as a Committee of the Whole, was scheduled to start Monday the deliberations on RBH No. 7. The measure proposes economic amendments on the grant of legislative franchises to public utilities (Article Xll), basic education (Article XlV), and advertising (Article XVl).

Related Tags

Charter change david Jay-jay suarez Rodrigo Duterte economic provisions
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