BY GERARD NAVAL

A CATHOLIC prelate yesterday warned of "fiery" mass actions if the House allies of President Arroyo persist in pushing through with Charter Change (Cha-Cha).

"Galit ang tao. Kung ipipilit nila, I think, hell is going to break loose lalo’t ganitong panahon na nasa gitna tayo ng krisis. Why do we add fire? Lumiliyab na yan eh, meron pang ganyang issue," Marawi Bishop Edwin dela Peña said over Church-run Radio Veritas.

The bishop said the people do not support Cha-Cha at this time because of the credibility problem of the Arroyo administration.

Dela Peña said that if economic policy changes are the real purpose of amending the Constitution, such improvements can still be made without having to tinker with the Charter.

"I think we should really focus on something that would help ease suffering of the people. Yung Cha-Cha naman, that can wait," he said.

The House committee on constitutional amendments on Tuesday tackled parallel resolutions to amend the Constitution.

The panel chaired by Rep. Victor Ortega (Kampi, La Union) began deliberations on Speaker Prospero Nograles’ House Resolution 737 which calls for amendments "to allow the acquisition by foreign corporations and associations and the transfer or conveyance of alienable public and private lands."

A resolution of Kampi president Luis Villafuerte calls for Congress to convene as a Constituent Assembly to amend the Charter but it is yet to be referred to the committee for deliberations.

Former President Fidel Ramos on Tuesday urged President Arroyo to stop moves to amend the Charter saying it is already too late to organize such an important exercise.

The National Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel) said the congressmen pushing for Cha-Cha should discontinue their plan as it does not have public support.

"We hope na sabihan ang mga kongresista na ang gusto ng people, na kung gusto ma-express ang free will nila, matuloy ang 2010 elections," said Namfrel chairwoman Henrietta de Villa.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said Malacañang will not stop its allies in the House from pushing Charter Change out of respect for a co-equal body.

He said worries about President Arroyo extending her term through Charter Change are unfounded.

Sen. Mar Roxas filed a bill seeking to convene a Constitutional Convention (Con-Con) to amend the 1987 Constitution, aimed at opposing parallel plans at the House to institute constitutional changes without the consent of the Senate.

Senate Bill 2923 proposes the election of two delegates from each legislative district simultaneous with the 2010 national elections. The convention will then be given one year to draft its proposed amendments to the Constitution, after which a plebiscite will be held for ratification.

By electing Con-Con delegates, the public themselves will have a hand in deciding what changes to the Constitution will be made, since candidates to the convention will be campaigning based on their proposed amendments, according to Roxas.

Roxas said the call for a Con-Con to be elected along with other national and local officials in the 2010 elections is more practical and resolves the dispute on when and how the Constitution should be amended.

Presidential political adviser Gabriel Claudio said Malacañang will seek a "consensus" among lawmakers and the political leaders on the need for Charter Change.

Claudio made the pronouncement after Bro. Mike Velarde threatened to mobilize at least three million members of El Shaddai to take part in anti-Cha-Cha protests if the administration insists on lifting the term limits of officials by amending the Constitution.

"Without abandoning the administration’s advocacy in order to secure the country’s economic and political stability, we will seek a dialogue with leaders of the House to help forge a consensus on Charter Change that is acceptable to the people," he said.

The United Opposition welcomed the move of Velarde.

"We urge him to make good his threat and we welcome him to join our rally on December 12 at Makati," UNO spokesman Adel Tamano said.

Tamano said "if there is one issue that cuts across all political and religious groups and unites the vast majority of Filipinos, it is our stand against GMA’s Cha-Cha."

Religious, civil society and militant groups are planning an interfaith rally dubbed "Labanan ang Cha-Cha ni Gloria" on December 12 at Ayala Avenue and Paseo de Roxas in Makati City.

Former President Joseph Estrada lauded Velarde for opposing moves to amend the Constitution.