KIKO PANGILINAN TO HOUSE: ENOUGH OF CHACHA!
WE HAVE BETTER THINGS TO DO AT THIS TIME!

Independent Senator Francis 'Kiko' Pangilinan today urged Congress to "stop making fools of Filipinos in pushing for amendments in the Constitution as a ploy for Charter Change."

The House is set to deliberate on amending Article 12, Sections 2 and 3 of the Constitution that allows acquisition by foreign corporations of alienable public and private lands. Speaker Prospero Nograles said the House would give cha-cha its best shot during deliberations.

"I'm sure there are needed amendments in the Constitution, but to push for Charter Change now would be dubious and provocative as the nation is set and eager for a change in leadership in 2010. That is foremost in the minds of Filipinos right now," Pangilinan said.

Pangilinan urged fellow lawmakers to focus instead on creating jobs and alleviating the plight of Filipinos.

"Masyadong makapansarili at insensitibo ang pagpupumilit sa cha-cha. Nanggaling na mismo sa tao na ayaw nila ng cha-cha kung papalawigin pa nito ang termino ni PGMA. House should make the most out of their sessions in helping out fellow Filipinos. Cha-cha is a very sensitive issue. To push for it now would push everyone on the brink, and the outcome will be ugly as it is unpredictable," Pangilinan warns.