By Rina Bengco

MALACAÑANG yesterday said President Arroyo will campaign against any congressional move that will extend the term limits of top government officials by amending the 1987 Constitution.

Anthony Golez, deputy presidential spokesman, said campaigning is the only "concrete" move the Executive branch could take against an independent branch of government like the Legislature.

Golez made the pronouncement in reaction to a Social Weather Stations survey from September 30 to October 4 which shows 64 percent of Filipinos are opposed to amending the Constitution to allow Arroyo to continue as president beyond June 30, 2010.

Golez said President Arroyo would take a neutral stance in case her administration allies push for term extension. "We will not support any term extension as against the real essence of the Charter change that the members of the House would want," he said.

He recalled that Arroyo’s platform during the 2004 elections includes reforms in the Constitution that will help boost the economy. But he said the Palace will "send our sentiments" if congressmen push through with the lifting of the term limits.

He said it would be "premature" to discuss the proposal of Batangas Rep. Hermilando Mandanas to extend terms until 2011 because Charter change also involves consultation among the lawmakers.

"We have been sending the message across from the very beginning na palaging paulit-ulit na ang ating Presidente ay bababa in 2010," he said.

Golez said the anti-Charter change movement would not be able to force President Arroyo to step down from office because the people have already reached "the level of maturity" and can see things from an objective point of view.