The newly merged Lakas-Kampi-CMD party has virtually tossed the debates on the hotly contested Charter change to the legislative branch as it gears up preparations for the 2010 national and local elections.

Presidential political adviser Gabriel Claudio said the ruling party has not issued any stand on Charter change as he encouraged instead senators and congressmen to hold a dialogue to resolve their diverging views on the planned reforms.

Claudio, secretary general of Lakas-Kampi-CMD party, said the House Resolution 1109, which calls for the convening of a constituent assembly to rewrite the Constitution, is best resolved through "congressional consensus."

Under the controversial resolution spearheaded by the President’s allies in the Lower House, members of the House would vote on proposed amendments in the Constitution. A resolution of the House, however, cannot cover the Senate.

Senators however have opposed Charter change especially after their participation in the method was disregarded by the Resolution 1109. Other opposition groups also suspected that the planned Charter reforms were meant to extend the term of President Arroyo, which expires next year.

"The party has not taken an official stand regarding Charter change. It was not part of negotiations and agreements to forge the merger,” Claudio said, when asked about the guidance of the party leadership to congressional allies on Charter change.

“I think the constituent assembly issue is better resolved through a congressional or intra-chamber consensus because even congressmen from the same party have divergent views as to what action to take now that 1109 has been passed," he added.

Claudio said the Charter change issue would not diminish the focus of the administration party “to prepare earnestly and extensively for the 2010 polls." "The party is committed and determined to see the elections through as scheduled and achieve victory through an orderly, peaceful and credible automated process as provided by law," he added.

A number of the President’s allies in the House of Representatives have remained optimistic that Charter change could still be implemented before the 2010 elections despite a petition by a group questioning the legality of the Resolution 1109 before the Supreme Court.

Claudio however said recently that time has run out for Congress to convene itself into a constituent assembly and effect changes in the Constitution. Claudio said the resolution was pursued apparently to clarify if such Charter change via constituent assembly is legal. “The elections next year is still a certainty,” Claudio said.