PANGILINAN: HOUSE-ONLY CHACHA IS ARROGANCE, ABUSE OF POWER

Independent senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan today slams Congress' continued efforts in bypassing the Senate in passing cha-cha.

"As principal author of the resolution that has been signed by all senators and subsequently adopted by the Senate against 'House-only Cha-cha', we we vigorously oppose this underhanded move to pass Charter change," Pangilinan said.

Responding to reports that President Arroyo's son, Pampanga Representative Mikey Arroyo attempted to bribe Pangasinan Representative Jose De Venecia with the latter's reinstatement as House speaker in exchange for help in the passage of the draft resolution for a Constituent Assembly, Pangilinan says that proponents of Cha-cha are abusing their powers.

"Perhaps some of those close to the President are used to ignoring the constitution and the rule of law," says Pangilinan. "Kahit 1st-year law student alam na illegal ang 'solo-flight' ng House of Representatives."

"Galit at hagupit ng taong-bayan ang maaari nilang harapin kapag pinilit nila ito. Kapag pilitin pa nila, ako mismo mananawagan na mag-martsa hindi na sa Makati o EDSA, kundi tungo sa Batasan. Paligiran ito ng libo-libong mamamayan upang ipakita ang pagtutol sa illegal na Cha-cha. Hindi tayo papayag na yurakin nila an gating mga batas, gamitin ang kanilang kapangyarihan para sa makasariling interes at manatili sa pwesto. "