Rep. Emilio Macias II (2nd District, Oriental Negros) said he strongly believes the 2007 election will push through despite widespread speculations that it would be sidelined by the Malacañang-sponsored people's initiative to change the Constitution.

Macias issued the reaction after the Commission on Elections said the chance to hold an election next year has dimmed after Congress failed to pass the 2006 national budget.

But Macias brushed aside the insinuation saying the budget would not be a problem because the Congress or President Gloria Arroyo could appropriate the amount using surplus funds. Also, the representative said, of the three options left to change the Charter, only the people's initiative has remained.

Macias said many people are objecting to the initiative because there was no enabling law to carry it through.

On the other hand, he said, "intelligent" minds in government were continuing to find ways to force the Supreme Court to validate the initiative.*

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