Read her lips: elections will take place next year as scheduled.
President Arroyo personally vouched for the holding of general elections next year during her speech on the merger of the country’s two largest political parties yesterday.
Mrs. Arroyo dismissed speculations of a no-election scenario, citing the preparations made by the administration in the merger of the ruling party Lakas-Christian and Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) and the Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (Kampi).
“Cynics and detractors love to paint grim scenarios about the cancellation of the 2010 elections. Let this merger of Lakas and Kampi be tangible proof of the administration’s readiness, nay determination, to help ensure that the elections do push through,” Mrs. Arroyo told the gathering at the Manila Hotel.
Mrs. Arroyo emphasized the holding of elections next year is a victory for the entire nation.
“Let us achieve victory in the context and manner of clean and credible elections worthy of the Filipino’s democratic traditions,” she said.
Mrs. Arroyo has kept her silence on the issue amid speculations of a cancellation of elections due to the efforts of administration allies at the House of Representatives to amend the Constitution.
Apart from signing the law on the automation of the country’s election process early this year, Mrs. Arroyo left it to her aides to issue statements assuring the public that elections will be held next year.
During the formal launching of the merger of the two political parties now called Lakas-Kampi-CMD, the President said the elections in 2010 will definitely push through.
“After all, electoral reforms, especially automation, are a priority item in our administration’s 10-point agenda,” the President added.
Speaker Prospero Nograles, the prime mover in the efforts to amend the Constitution, expressed support for the merger.
Nograles said that elections would take place next year notwithstanding efforts to tinker with the Constitution.
He said Charter change efforts could simply taper off due to lack of time.
Source: Yahoo! Philippines
0 comments:
Post a Comment