SENATE President Aquilino Pimentel III said Wednesday the six-year term of President Rodrigo Duterte, which ends in 2022, may be extended “if really necessary” during the transitory period for the shift to a federal form of government.
The national president of the ruling PDP-Laban said a term extension will “depend on the transitory provisions.”
“Depends too on when we approve the new Constitution. If 2019, then the next three years will be the transitory period,” Pimentel said in a text message to reporters.
He said the term of the President can be extended based on the following conditions: If it is really necessary, if he is amenable to it, and since that extension will be part of the new Constitution, the new Constitution is approved by the people themselves.
Pimentel earlier said that PDP-Laban wants to adopt a “uniquely Filipino” federal model with two constitutionally established orders of government—a federal government and regional governments.
Furthermore, the Senate leader rejected the possibility that there would be no elections in 2019.
“We can shift to federalism and allow all scheduled elections under the existing Constitution to go on and be held,” he said.
“What is important are the transitory provisions which will govern the terms and duties of those elected in the last election under the 1987 Constitution,” he added.
“And before we can operate under a new Constitution, the provisions of the existing Constitution must be followed. Hence if there are scheduled elections under the existing Constitution, then this must be followed.”
House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, who sits as secretary-general of PDP-Laban, said it is possible that no elections would be held in 2019 if the shift to a federal form of government pushes through this year.
He said Congress can convene this month to discuss proposals on federalism, a priority of the Duterte administration.
Meanwhile, Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said the President would not stay in power a minute longer, after Pimentel suggested his term might be extended in the transition to a federal system of government.
“I can categorically state that PRRD does not want that. He wants to cut short his term rather than lengthen it,” Roque said in a text message.