Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has assured the nation that the 2010 national and local elections would push through as scheduled, disputing speculations that the government was moving to amend the Constitution to extend her term, reports said on Tuesday.
Deputy Presidential Spokesman Anthony Golez said the president has promised to step down from office when her mandate ends in 2010, the Manila Bulletin reported.
President Arroyo is bent on following the Constitution that calls for national and local elections in 2010, Golez said.
"Under the Constitution, the next change of leadership for the presidency is in 2010, and it is very clear that the president shall not be eligible for any reelection. The government of President Arroyo respects the Constitution and there should be no issue about this," he said.
Earlier, political opponents said that the Arroyo government could attempt to amend the Constitution to prolong the stay of President Arroyo in power.
Jejomar Binay, mayor of the country's Makati Financial district, urged his colleagues in the opposition to avoid too much preoccupation with the 2010 polls and to remain vigilant against "silent" moves to revise the Constitution. He made the statement atthe heat of talks over who will run for the presidential election, which is still over two years away.
Last December, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said constitutional reforms are not a priority of the Arroyo government at the moment.
Ermita said the president wants to keep her focus on governance and the delivery of services to the people rather than dwell anew on Charter change.
In 2006, President Arroyo revived proposals to amend the 1987 Constitution, particularly a shift to a federal parliamentary form of government.
Arroyo eventually shelved her plans for constitutional reforms due to mounting opposition from the Catholic Church and other sectors of society.
Source:Xinhua
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