‘Self-interest’ behind Charter change protest Lira Dalangin-Fernandez INQUIRER.net
June 08, 2009
MANILA, Philippines – One of the staunchest defenders of House Resolution 1109 seeking to convene a constituent assembly even without the Senate turned the tables on those opposing it, saying they are driven by self-interest.
“HR 1109 puts fear on them that there may be changes,” said Nueva Ecija Representative Rodolfo Antonino, adding that among those in the forefront of protests are potential candidates for senator and president in next year’s election.
“Whatever they’re thinking of is for their self-interest . . . we should divest ourselves of our self-interests because if we don’t, then we will not be able to engage in dialogue . . .,” Antonino said in press conference Monday.
The congressman called on the senators to participate in discussions with the House of Representatives on how to go about implementing the resolution approved by the lower chamber two days before the break of the session last week.
Antonino said the plan on HR 1109 was to “formulate rules and regulations of the constituent assembly and proceed with proposing amendments, with or without the participation of the individual senators.”
