Statement of Secretary Norberto Gonzales
On the PDI Editorial dated 29 June 2003

The editorial of the Philippine Daily Inquirer on 29 June 2003 has chosen to insult my person rather than objectively consider and discuss the issue at hand.

How sad.

When they interviewed me, the main issue was Constitutional reform rather than the method by which it should be brought about. I equated constitutional change to political change, saying that it cannot be postponed anymore.

I have always been of the belief that the state of our economy is not to be blamed on our economics alone but also on the state, character, and nature of our politics. Our neighbors sought to improve their economy by improving their politics, why cannot we do the same?

Constitutional change therefore is a vital element in initiating a change in our country’s politics. If we read between the slogans and placards of our people, they are demanding change. And it should be instituted soon.

So I said that when Congress opens in August, they have the option to put the issue of charter change on the agenda or not. Any final decision on how to effect that change will be acceptable.

But supposing they failed to resolve the issue, I said that Charter change will have to be the first item on the agenda of the incoming President of 2004. When I said that, I was not referring to one, single person. All I was advocating for was a new constitution to take effect as early as 2007.

If change was brought about by that time, I am saying that whoever emerges as President in 2004 will necessarily have to cut short his or her term to give way to a parliamentary form of government, which – to my mind – is the better system. He or she will have to be willing to sacrifice the rest of his or her six year term to give way to the changes. That is what I meant by “transition president.” The “transition president” will be whoever wins in the 2004 electoral race.

I even ventured that I was also looking for senatoriables who will work for this sort of change in 2004, seeing as they will also be affected by this shift. The Congressmen will not be affected by such since they are elected to serve 3-year terms. It is only the incoming 2004 President and Senators who will have to sacrifice their terms of office in the event of a transition to a parliamentary system.

I believe in our democratic system but I also believe that political power has to have the popular consent of the people through elections. All my statements were done with that in mind. I only mentioned the President because, in my mind, she is the only viable President in 2004. The decision to run or not to run for President in 2004 is entirely up to her.

It is therefore a somber thought that the PDI editorial focused more on a mere phrase rather than the whole substance and context of the issue they discussed with me.