President Gloria Arroyo commended the House's action to drop Cha cha as an act of statesmanship to unify not only the two chambers of the legislature but the whole nation round the issue of Charter change.
. In a statement that was self-serving
because she supported the change, Arroyo said: “I thank Speaker Joe de Venecia
and his valiant allies in the House for heeding the voice of national consolidation
and unity, without sacrificing their high vision of political renewal. It is
time to gather together all the energies of our people for the continuing work
ahead-maintaining our economic strength, ensuring the social payback of
economic reforms, and helping distressed communities back to their feet.
Philippine democracy will always find the
proper time and opportunity for Charter reform at a time when the people deem
it ripe and needful, and in the manner they deem proper. The nation must
consolidate now and I call upon all our institutions and sectors to stand as
one for the country’s future."
