Manila: President Benigno Aquino remains cautious about changing the 1987 Constitution to save the stalled 10-year-old peace talks between the Philippine government and the formerly separatist Muslim group based in the southern Philippines, a press officer claims.
"I know there's talk of charter change in relation to peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), but at this point we have not even begun discussions with the MILF. Any talk about charter change is very speculative at this point,” said Ricky Carandang, Head of Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning (PCDSP).
"We don't even know where it's going to go. Will we reach an agreement that will require an amendment? We don't know," said Carandang, adding, "Charter change is not a priority for the president at this point. There are many other things he has to resolve first.”
Carandang said amendments to the charter would be made at the right time and under the right circumstances.
A number of politicians, however, believe the president should make charter change a priority.
"Charter change is the legal way for the government to respond to the MILF’s demand for a wider ancestral domain and enhanced governance in an autonomous Muslim region,” explained Congressman Karlo Nograles.
Earlier, former President and now Congresswoman Gloria Arroyo and Congressman Elpido Barzaga pushed for a constitutional convention to amend the charter.
Marvic Leonen, Dean of the University of the Philippines College of Law and the head of the government negotiating team that will meet with the MILF said on Monday that the Aquino administration is in favour of amending the constitution, to achieve lasting peace with the Moro secessionists.
The government and the MILF will resume peace talks in September after Ramadan.
