Charter Change won't solve RP woes, says EU envoy

From the Tribune:

The European Union's (EU) envoy to Manila yesterday said changing the Philippines' current system of government alone would not solve the country's political woes.

Saying he was airing only his personal opinion, Jan de Kok, head of the delegation of the European Commission (EC), the EU's executive body, said drastic political reforms and Charter change (Cha-cha) would not guarantee positive results for the country.

“Whatever system of government you're going to choose, the change of the political system in itself does not necessarily mean that the country will be doing better or worse. There are other things that need to go together. The change in the political system and a new Constitution are not enough,” De Kok told a press conference after the signing of a $43-million funding scheme by the EU for Philippine small-scale industries and good governance in Makati City.

He noted that changing the attitudes of those in politics and the strengthening of the local political party system are important factors that must be considered by the government.

That's Mr. Jan de Kok, just stating the obvious.

In other news, the "great debate on Charter Change" continues in the House, pero hindi kasali ang Senate. LMAO!

SENATE President Franklin Drilon yesterday said the Senate would "do just nothing" on proposals to amend the Constitution which he described as both a charade and a waste of time.

Drilon was reacting to the statement of Cagayan de Oro Rep. Constantino Jaraulla, chair of the House committee on constitutional amendments, that the House members would exclude senators in the "great Cha-cha debate."

Drilon said Jaraula’s move was "unconstitutional."

"The congressmen pushing this absurd idea will have to answer to the people should they insist on pursuing a course of action that is patently unconstitutional," Drilon said.

Drilon remained confident that "sensible members" in the House could still talk sense to Jaraula and convince him not to pursue his planned Cha-cha sans the senators’ participation.