Former president Joseph Estrada slammed President Arroyo for bringing along 16 congressmen and their families to her trip to Japan amid the country’s economic problems.

Estrada said Mrs. Arroyo’s working visit to Japan is not timely especially now that the Philippines is undergoing trying times.

“Merong krisis, may problema sa trabaho,” said Estrada during his visit to Tacurong City in Sultan Kudarat on Friday.
 
He said the sheer number of delegates alone would cost millions of pesos, which should have been spent on the needs of her constituents.

Estrada said he thinks the trip is a payback for the congressmen who supported moves pushing for a constituent assembly (Con-ass).

“Matagal nang binabayaran ang mga congressman na ‘yan,” he said.

Estrada urged the public to be vigilant against Con-ass, which he said is designed to extend Mrs. Arroyo’s reign.

The former president is widely believed to have been planning to join the presidential race in 2010.

'Immunity'

Meanwhile, another presidentiable claimed that if Con-ass successfully amends the Constitution, Mrs. Arroyo could achieve immunity from future cases.

"Once Mrs. Arroyo and her allies in Congress succeed in tinkering with the Charter, then everything is fair game. She will have the immunity and she can even remove term limits so she can be prime minister for life," said Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay in a statement.

Binay said this scenario serves as a reminder that the fight against Charter Change should be pursued until Mrs. Arroyo backs down.

"Mrs. Arroyo and her advisers are bent on extending her hold on power beyond 2010. And once they get the green light to amend the Charter, then nothing will be sacred," he said.

Binay said the Constitution provides parliamentary immunity for members of Congress only for offenses punishable by no more than six years imprisonment. But this provision can easily be amended in an assembly dominated by Arroyo allies.