The News Today Online

Treñas: No to snap polls

By Maricar M. Calubiran

The holding of snap presidential election to cut short the term of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is "illegal".

This was the curt reaction of Mayor Jerry P. Treñas in relation to the mounting calls of the opposition to hold a snap presidential elections to put an end to the present political crisis.

Treñas said local and national elected officials have a fixed term of office unlike the barangay captains.

A snap election is also not embodied in the 1987 Constitution, added the mayor who is identified with the administration.

With the various proposals to remove the President from office Treñas maintains that he would still opt for a legal process. "For as long as it is legal and within the bounds of the law," said Treñas.

He added that it was a different mode during the time of President Marcos when the latter called for a snap election. He has a "residual legislative powers" that time, said Treñas.

Presently, the Consultative Commission which the President has created is making regional consultations. They are set to arrive in Iloilo City today (Wednesday).

Former University of the Philippines president Jose Abueva heads the 49-member consultative commission in the proposed amendment of the 18-year old Charter. The Consultative Commission was created to conduct consultations with various sectors on the proposed changes. It has yet to decide if the amendment is to be made by a constituent assembly or constitutional convention.

Treñas also lamented that the present political squabbles have an adverse effect on the economy of the country. "Destabilization is not doing any good, it will just pull down the country," he said.