Manila: Philippine President Benigno Aquino III said he will form a panel to study the need for amendments to the constitution.
"We will form a commission to study the need for it and whether or not the people are requesting it," Aquino said.
However, Aquino said that while there may be a need to make changes in the charter, is not his immediate concern.
"I have said before that we have to approach this matter with caution. Making amendments to the charter is not a simple matter," he said.
Aquino's statement came after former president and House of Representatives member Gloria Macapagal Arroyo filed a resolution to amend the constitution through a constitutional convention.
Arroyo has the support of her lawmaker son Rep. Dato Arroyo of Camarines Sur as well as Representative Edcel Lagman for the charter change bid.
Under Arroyo's proposal, the constitutional convention will be charged with making changes to socio-economic provisions of the charter and enhance the country's "competitiveness in a highly-globalised economy."
In 2005, Arroyo's allies tried to initiate moves towards charter reforms by starting a political movement for constitutional amendment.
The initiative failed since proponents bickered over what track to take on making changes to the basic law.
But while Arroyo could count on the backing of political allies, she can also expect stiff opposition on the measure from the Catholic church.
"It is beyond common sense that on the first day of her incumbency she would file a resolution before the House of Representatives for a charter change," said Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Emeritus Oscar Cruz.
The prelate, in an article posted on the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) website added: "The only conclusion that can be logically drawn from this audacity par excellence is that the lady simply cannot let go of power and cannot be either calmed or cooled."
Cruz said Arroyo's move gives credence to allegations that she was ultimately eyeing the post pf prime minister once charter change is consummated and a parliamentary form of government is put in place.
