THE Palace on Tuesday said President Rodrigo Duterte has no plan to stay in power after the head of a constitutional commission he created said the term of president and all other incumbent elected officials would not be extended under the proposed federal constitution.
In a statement, Malacañang spokesman Harry Roque said Duterte has no wish to extend his term, and has even offered to cut it short if a federal system is in place by 2020.
Duterte has repeatedly said he would be willing to cut short his six-year term if a new constitution is in place.
“The President… has no intention of staying a minute longer than what the term of the President provides under our Constitution,” Roque said.
“The President has even stated that he would step down from the presidency earlier should the Philippines shift to a federal system of government as early as 2020,” he added.
Former Supreme Court chief justice Reynato Puno, who heads the 20-member consultative committee, said Monday the President would neither be allowed to seek reelection nor qualify for a term extension under the new federal constitution.
Puno, tasked to review proposed amendments to the 1987 Constitution, said the six-year term limit would still be binding once the country shifts to a federal form of government.
“By the time we have shifted to a federal form of government, a new president will be voted,” Puno said in a press conference Monday.
Puno made the remark amid concerns of opposition lawmakers and critics that the shift to federalism would mean extension for Duterte beyond the end of his term in 2022.
Earlier, the President said federalism is the only solution to the country’s Du30 many problems, including rebellion in Mindanao.
“If by 2018, it’s done, I give you my word, I will step down as President,” Duterte said. “I have no ambition to stay long. Power, I don’t crave for it.”
In his various speeches, the Chief Executive has mentioned several times that he wanted to leave office early, citing his old age.
The President will be turning 73 on March 28.
Roque earlier said the President would also celebrate his birthday in his hometown, Davao City. With PNA