Press Release
May 10, 2007

INC, El Shaddai views on Charter change
to carry weight in next Senate - Recto

Endorsement by the Iglesia ni Cristo and El Shaddai carries with it the "self-imposed duty" to fight "underhanded attempts" to amend the 1987 Constitution , Sen. Ralph Recto said.

"I see it that way. While it has not been imposed upon me (by the two groups) , in fact, as none was imposed in exchange for the reported endorsement , I will be guided largely in part by their position on the issue of Charter change, ' Recto said.

He recalled that leaders of the two religious groups came out with a rare joint statement two years ago warning against moves to stampede the revision of the Constitution.

The position of INC and El Shaddai , like any other big group , will carry much weight when the issue of Charter change would crop up again, Recto said .

Recto said the two groups' stance on Charter change, that the process be used to promote national not narrow interests , is also what Catholic bishops and majority of Filipinos believe in as borne by surveys .

"The INC, the El Shaddai , the Protestant groups, the Catholic bishops they're all effective gauge of the people's sentiments. They mirror what the citizens want," Recto said.

If senatorial candidates endorsed by INC and El Shaddai would make it to the Senate "then there would be a group there that would resist constitutional amendments which are out of synch with the law and what the people want."

While Recto believes that some sections of the 20-year old basic law need to be revised , "it must begin with the economic provisions and in a manner provided by the Constitution itself."

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