ROXAS: THERE ARE NO 'GRAY AREAS' ON THE ISSUE OF CHA-CHA

Liberal President Senator Mar Roxas today insisted the Senate and the House of Representatives should vote separately when they tackle proposed constitutional changes under a constituent assembly mode.

Roxas said there are no "gray areas" on the issue of separate voting and pointed out framers of the 1987 Constitution never intended joint voting by Congress vote in a constituent assembly.

The Ilonggo senator said that in pushing for a joint voting under a constituent assembly mode, it is apparent the only intention of President Arroyo and her allies in Congress is to weaken the Senate position that such would only lead to an extended term for President Arroyo beyond 2010.

"Sa ngayon, malinaw ang katotohanan: itinutulak ng Malacanang at ng mga alipores ng administrasyon ang Gloria Forever Constitution; at kapag natuloy ito, lalong magtatagal ang pagdurusa ng taumbayan (The truth is very clear: Malacañang and its allies are pushing for a Gloria Forever Constitution. If this happens, the sufferings of our countrymen will only be prolonged)," he said.

Roxas urged his colleagues in the Senate to speak with a unified voice in protecting not only their right to vote independently on the issue of Charter change but also in protecting the right of the Filipinos.

"Hindi namin isusuko ang aming tinig sa usaping ito (We will not give up our position on this issue)," he stressed.