‘It is a self-serving idea’
> Philippines VP derides proposal to cancel polls and extend terms
MANILA: The Philippines’ vice-president has joined a chorus of opposition to a possible cancellation of mid-term elections and extensions to terms in office, including that of the president, amid a renewed push for a shift to federalism.
President Rodrigo Duterte is keen to follow through on his election campaign promise to introduce federalism, saying it would be more equitable for Filipinos and would bring peace and development, especially in the restive south.
House speaker and Duterte ally Pantaleon Alvarez has said it is possible the May 2019 mid-term elections would be cancelled if proposed constitutional amendments, to introduce federalism, pass a plebiscite this year.
But the no-election scenario has not sat well among Duterte’s critics, who also expressed concern that changing the constitution could see him prolong his stay in power beyond the end of his term in 2022.
Philippine presidents are allowed to serve one term only, lasting six years.
Vice-President Leni Robredo, who was not Duterte’s running mate, comes from an opposition party and has clashed with him on numerous occasions, said it is “selfserving” if moves are made to extend terms of incumbent executives.
“We are very much against this noelection proposal because holding elections sums up democracy,” she said on her weekly radio programme on Sunday.
“This is the only way for ordinary Filipinos to participate in the process of choosing who should lead them.”
Filipinos are due to elect 12 senators, about 300 congressmen and thousands of local government officials in next year’s elections.
Alvarez said the house planned to convene as a constituent assembly early this year to tackle constitutional amendments, including the shift to federalism.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said Duterte has no intention to prolong his stay in power and is even willing to cut short his term.
“He’s willing to let go because he’s not keen really on staying (longer) as president. That’s the truth,” Roque told CNN Philippines yesterday.
But lawyer Christian Monsod, one of those who helped design the 1987 Constitution, questioned motives of the pro-Duterte camp in Congress.
“Is it really necessary to change the constitution?” he told news channel ANC.
“My bet is it would be amended, revised to suit the interests of the clans and dynasties in Congress.” – Reuters