Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas F. Ople yesterday joined the Senate in opposing a move to convert the Congress into a constituent assembly to amend the Constitution by switching the form of government to a parliamentary system and postponing elections from 2004 to 2007.

The secretary, a former Senate President, said if the move contemplates extending the terms of incumbent officials, then this becomes a “highly immoral proposition” that should be rejected outright.

Ople said the proposal for a government of national unity appeared to be related to the new cha-cha being plotted by some members of the House of Representatives.

The former senator said he was supporting the stand taken by the Senate leaders rejecting the move to change the Constitution through constituent assembly before 2004.

“If we need to change the Constitution, let it be done through a constitutional convection,” Ople said, adding:

Coming from sitting members of Congress as a constituent assembly, the motive will be tainted by selfish interest which will invite a strong public backlash.”

Ople recalled the Ramos administration was forced to backtrack on constitutional change after the cha-cha, designed to extend the term of incumbent officials provoked public revulsion.”

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