October 14, 2003, The Philippine Star, Drilon decries 'blackmail' try,

October 14, 2003, The Philippine Star, Drilon decries 'blackmail' try,

Senate President Franklin Drilon denied yesterday allegations that he had reneged on a promise to President Arroyo to help convene Congress into a constituent assembly to pave the way for a parliamentary system of government. 

"That is an outright lie," he said. 

"Speaker (Jose) De Venecia asked me several times to support the House resolution of amending the Constitution through a constituent assembly. And I told him quite consistently that they will have to win the support of the senators. 

"Perhaps, they have forgotten that aside from the original resolution signed by 14 senators, calling for a constitutional convention, the Senate committee of Sen. Edgardo Angara has rejected the proposal to amend the Charter through a constituent assembly," Drilon said. 

He also rejected allegations that he was standing in the way of political and economic reforms. 

"What I am doing is merely reflecting the sentiments of the senators," he said. 

"We, in the Senate, are confident that the Filipino people are with us in opposing the idea that senators and congressmen should not tinker with the Constitution in order to avoid a conflict of interest when we will have to make decisions that will personally benefit ourselves," he said. 

Drilon said Charter change proponents should "stop wasting precious money" in putting out newspaper advertisements to discredit the Senate and push for a unicameral legislature. 

"If they believe they can intimidate the Senate with these shady ads, I’m afraid they have made a costly mistake," he said. 

Mrs. Arroyo has declared that the shift to a parliamentary system should be done after next year's elections, he added.