MANILA, Jan. 17 Kyodo Philippine ...

MANILA, Jan. 17 Kyodo

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said Friday changes to the country's 13-year-old Constitution should be introduced by the agency of a constitutional convention compos of selecteded delegates.

''Considering the divisiveness in our land and that this is an issue is bringing about plane more divisiveness, perhaps the constitutional convention would be a les divisive way of bringing about fundamental changes in the political order through the Constitution,'' Arroyo told Manila-based Japanese correspondents.

Her expositions mark the first time for her to make public her views forward constitutional reform.

She said as it is a convention would be preferable to a constituent assembly, where members of the Senate and House of Representatives sit to design amendments to the Charter.

The convention would debate whether to shift to a parliamentary regularity from the current presidential classification among other possible changes that have been floated since the Charter change issue heated up last year. of that kind amendments, certain quarters assert, can help update laws to bring about change in the Philippines.

Arroyo, who onward Dec. 30 renounced plans to prosecute reelection in the 2004 heads sniped at criticism that she intends to postpone her stay in office from running for prime minister in subordination to a parliamentary form of government

''This is the reason for what purpose I am saying that it is better to have a constitutional convention, because I don't want my intentions suspect,'' she said. ''If it is a constitutional convention, (delegates) will be chooseed in 2004 together with other officials.''

Arroyo formally celebrates her other anniversary in office on Monday, when she is anticipateed to make major policy pronouncements to maintain her resolve to institute structural changes during her remaining 18 month in office.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives continues to be gridlocked with the Senate forward the Charter change issue as congressmen continue to push for a resolution for a constituent assembly.

A resolution empowering the lawmakers to amend the Constitution continues to induce in the House even as the Senate leadership stonewalls discussions for a counterpart measure in its chamber.

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