Press Release
December 14, 2006

VILLAR WELCOMES HOUSE MOVE TO ARCHIVE CON-ASS
calls for healing of wounds between House and Senate

Its time to put Chacha issue behind us, and together, let us go forward.

Senate President Manny Villar, issued this statement today as he welcomed the move by Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. and leaders of the pro-administration bloc in the House of Representatives to archive their proposal to convene a constituent assembly or con-ass to amend the Constitution.

Senate President Villar expressed elation over the decision of the House not to push the issue of Charter change in the light of the overwhelming public protest over any move to revise the Constitution.

Villar said the archiving of House Resolution 197, which provides for the con-ass, comes as a welcome relief to the intense political pressure and divisiveness that have gripped the country over the last several days.

We are happy with the decision of the House to archive the con-ass resolution. Makakahinga na po tayo ng maluwag at mawawala na ang anumang agam-agam tungkol sa planong pag-amyenda sa konstitusyon, Villar said.

Villar said this would give the country the opportunity to heal the wounds caused by the Chacha wars, and give our people a welcome respite from political maneuverings.

We can now move forward. Within the Charter change issue behind us now, we can now concentrate fully on enhancing our economic gains, and give the Filipino nation a good head start for a more promising year ahead of us, Villar said.

Villar said he looks forward to harmonizing the Senates relations with the House, which may have been strained by the Chacha wars. We look forward to bringing back the healthy and harmonious working relationship between the House and the Senate. Wala namang personalan dito, Villar said.

On Sundays scheduled anti-Chacha rally at the Luneta, Villar said it is up to the organizers to decide if they still want to proceed, despite the burial of the con-ass move in the House.

Villar said if would be alright if rally organizers decide to push through with the prayer rally as scheduled, for it would be an exercise of their constitutional rights to free speech and assembly.

The Senate President also congratulated Cebu City Rep. Antonio Cuenco for having made an apology to his constituents for the wrong acts of the House. He said it was forthright for Cuenco, who is a veteran administration legislator, to have come forward and say sorry to his people.

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