The Philippine presidential palace is looking forward to having a new Philippine constitution by 2010.

"Actual Charter change will have to take place within the term of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo," the Philippines News Agency Tuesday quoted Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye as saying.

Authorities are optimistic that this plan will be sufficient for the nation to undergo a smooth transition from its present democratic form of government to a system of governance which the new constitution shall stipulate.

Likewise, Bunye dismissed speculation that Arroyo's term of office could be extended due to the charter change.

"Incumbent leaders do not benefit from adaptation of a new constitution," he said, adding that Arroyo will still abide by provisions covering her six-year term of office, should another constitution be ratified by 2010.

Although he said Arroyo favors a review of the current 1987 Constitution, Bunye clarified that the presidential palace is not rushing into having another constitution drafted at this time.

"Actual discussions about this matter would have to commence around 2007," he noted.

Bunye said the administration is not prioritizing Charter change now since authorities are currently focusing on resolving financial difficulties plaguing the country.

"Targeting the year 2007 is based on present realities since people want Congress to concentrate on the current substantial issue covering financial concerns," he explained.

The government is seeking favorable congressional action on eight tax measures, which are expected to increase total revenues of government with a shift to gross income taxation, indexation ofsin taxes, rationalization of fiscal incentives and tax on windfall profits of telecommunications companies, among others.

"We are glad that some of these measures will possibly be passed within the year," he said, expressing optimism that the Palace's remaining tax proposals can be legislated in 2005.

However, he added that concern about resolving the country's financial woes should not totally overshadow the need to draft a new constitution before Arroyo's term of office lapses in 2010.

Legislators continue to hold different views as to the form of government which the proposed constitution should identify, while Arroyo has expressed her preference to a federal-parliamentarian form of government.

She explained that this system will best help government implement during the next six years of her governance agenda for the country to balance development throughout the Philippines by means of supporting initiatives like fiscal and educational reforms, better delivery of basic services like water and electricity supply, peace efforts, automated elections and employment generation.

Source: Xinhua