Gov. Joseph Marañon yesterday said the provincial government had nothing to do with the people's initiative for Charter change campaign during the barangay assemblies in Negros Occidental Saturday, because it was supposed to be a non-partisan activity.

All I said is that those who want to support the people's initiative should not be stopped, while those who do not want to back it should not be forced to do so, Marañon said.

We have heard the views of people in the urban areas on charter change, we should also listen to what those in the rural areas have to say, he said, adding that this will be reflected in the results of the barangay assemblies.

The governor said that initial results show that the signatures for the 3 percent per district required for a people initiative appeared to have been attained in Negros Occidental.

He said he had no idea if government funds are being used for the lobby for a people's initiative as the provincial government did not put out any money.

Negros Occidental Board Member Dino Acuña said if Filipinos feel that the people's initiative for Charter change does not reflect their will, then they should speak out and no longer continue to be apathetic.

Nothing will stop those lobbying for charter change from getting the required number of signatures, and it is up to the people to accept it or not, he said.

Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye yesterday said further delays in the move to amend the Constitution will deprive the Filipino people of the political and economic reforms that they deserve for a better future. Charter change is offered as a solution to the long-standing political gridlock that has prevented the government from moving forward, he said in a press statement.

He said the outpouring of public support for Charter change should serve as a wakeup call for lawmakers to set aside partisan politics and endless bickering in the media.

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. yesterday said Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. and Cagayan de Oro Rep. Constantino Jaraula should stop bragging that there are several senators who are willing to go along with the administration congressmen's move to amend the 1987 Constitution by convening Congress into a constituent assembly.

Pimentel, in a press statement, belied the claim of Jaraula identifying him as one of seven senators who supposedly can be counted upon to support amending the Constitution to pave the way for the shift from the presidential to parliamentary system of government.

"I am for a federal system but not now. No Charter Change while Gloria is in power. She must resign first before Cha-Cha because she is diverting public attention from her misuse of powers and plunder of the economy," he said.*CPG

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