Press Release
November 21, 2008

ROXAS TO LEAD FIGHT AGAINST CHA-CHA

Liberal President Senator Mar Roxas said today he will lead the fight against the administration's blatant attempt to remain in power beyond 2010 through Charter Change, even as millions of Filipinos continue to combat poverty during the present worldwide economic slowdown.

"There is clearly a conspiracy in pushing for Cha-Cha, to perpetuate this administration of corruption, stealing, and lack of accountability," he said.

"Hindi naman prayoridad itong Cha-Cha. Bakit pa ito pinipilit at sinasaksak sa baga ng mga mahihirap? Ang kailangan nila ay panghanapbuhay at edukasyon, hindi pamumulitika (Cha-Cha isn't a priority. So why is it being shoved down the poor's throats? What they need is jobs and education, not politicking)," he added, noting that the government should be focusing on dealing with the global economic slowdown.

The Ilonggo senator said the administration was now shamelessly pushing its advocacies, with President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's son, Pampanga Rep. Juna Miguel "Mikey" Arroyo, leading the Cha-Cha campaign in the House of Representatives.

"Ang namumuno pa sa kampanyang Cha-Cha sa House ay ang anak mismo ng Pangulo. Hindi pa ba obvious kung ano ang nais nila, na manatili sila sa kapangyarihan? (The one campaigning for Cha-Cha in the House is the President's son. Can it be more obvious that what they want is to remain in power?)" Roxas said.

"Ang payo ko kay Pangulong Arroyo at sa kanyang pamilya: tama na ang ambisyon, at respetuhin ang kapangyarihan ng taong bayan (To President Arroyo and her family: stop your ambitions, and respect the power of the people)," he added.

Roxas said he was confident that the Senate will continue to defend the Constitution from Malacañang's attempts to circumvent it. He noted that 16 incumbent senators had signed a resolution in the 13th Congress that maintained that amendments to the Constitution must be done by both legislative chambers voting separately.

"Naniniwala ako na ang Senado ay tuloy na kokontra sa Cha-Cha, na ang bago nating Senate President ay lalaban para sa demokrasya (I believe the Senate will continue to oppose Cha-Cha, and that the new Senate President will fight for democracy)," he said.

News Latest News Feed