Malacañang on Saturday belittled the latest survey by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) which showed many Filipinos opposed the plan to change the Constitution as it is being linked to term extension, stressing that the national elections will push through next year as President Arroyo’s term ends.

In Davao City earlier, the President pledged that the presidential, congressional, and local elections will proceed as scheduled on May 10, 2010.

“If [the survey] on Cha- Cha is linked to the extension of the President, mali na agad ang tanong sa tao. Definitely, mali din ang sinasagot at ang resulta,” said Deputy Spokesperson Lorelei Fajardo.

“Malinaw na malinaw na sinabi ng Pangulo (The President made it clear that there will be elections and if there will be elections, definitely, there will be no term extension for her. If the question was if people are not in favor of Cha-Cha because of the term extension, bale wala ang survey na ito (This survey is worth nothing),” she explained.

Fajardo stressed that President Arroyo will step down in 2010 upon the end of her term to give way to her successor as president.

“Malinaw ang pinag-uusapan, there will be no term extension, (and) there will be an election in 2010,” she said.

Also in Davao City over the weekend, United States Ambassador Kristie Kenney said she was positive on next year’s election, in reaction to the President’s announcement.

“2010 is an important year for the Philippines. This is a chance for you to choose leadership, exercise your democratic right to vote, and look at the direction your country might be heading,” Kenney stressed.

The US top diplomat to Manila also expressed high hopes on the turnout of the coming elections. “We are excited on the Philippines’ elections, and we are looking forward to see the many candidates talk about their views and positions,” she said.

“In no uncertain terms, there will be elections in 2010. Anybody who questions this critical issue is undermining our country’s commitment to a vibrant democracy,” Arroyo said in a speech before the officers and members of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) from Regions 11, 12 and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. The President landed in Davao City from Egypt last Friday.

She also urged the people to support the poll automation in next year’s presidential election.

“I ask everybody to support the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in making our first nationwide automated polls a success because this will give a signal that our democracy is strong and vibrant,” Arroyo said.

The President lauded the efforts of the Comelec in ensuring automated elections on May 10, 2010. “I congratulate Comelec for putting the finishing touches on the automation of next year’s elections,” she said.

The President said she was supporting more seats to Mindanao political leaders in the next administration.

“I encourage them to give due representation to Mindanao because we acknowledge that there is a need for a strong voice to articulate the aspirations of Mindanaoans, whether Christian or Muslim in the Senate,” she said.