House Speaker Jose de Venecia Monday said the push for a unicameral parliamentary government has the 100 percent support of the congressmen of Negros Occidental, but Bacolod Rep. Monico Puentevella yesterday said he has not yet decided on his vote.

"Nobody dictates on me. I only owe my mandate to God and the people of Bacolod. I still have to listen to the pros and cons of Cha-cha (Charter change) and then make my choice. I am not one of those who have signed the bill. It's still a long way. "Last time it was taken up I was one of the few who stood up and got counted for a Constitutional Convention even though there were only a few of us. We got clobbered yet I voted on my conviction," Puentevella said in a text message to the DAILY STAR.

The Constitution does not say a Constituent Assembly will amend the Constitution, it says three-fourths vote of the 236 congressmen and 24 senators, or 260, de Venecia said during his visit to Bacolod Monday.

That means 195 senators and congressmen are needed, and so far De Venecia said he had 160 signatures.

Rep. Genaro Rafael Alvarez (Neg. Occ., 6th district) yesterday said he was not among the 160 congressmen who have already signed the bid to amend the Constitution and that he would look into the matter.

Representatives Tranquilino Carmona (1st district), Alfredo Marañon III (second district) and Rep. Jose Carlos Lacson (3rd district) yesterday said they were among the 160 signatories.

Representatives Carlos Cojuangco (fourth district) and Ignacio Arroyo (fifth district) could not be reached for comment as of press time.

Meanwhile, Sanlakas Negros in a press release yesterday said it is for a pro-people, patriotic and anti-globalization Charter change that should be done only after Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is ousted as president.*CPG

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