PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte is not interested in serving the country beyond his term despite possibility that he could stay in power until 2030 under the proposed federal set-up, MalacaƱang said Friday, July 6.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. maintained that Duterte has no plans of seeking re-election under the proposed charter for the federal government.
The Palace official echoed Duterte's persistent assurance to the public that the latter is not keen on running again for office once his six-year term expires in 2022.
"[Duterte] has repeatedly said: not a second beyond his term in 2022. He has said what he said: not a second longer," Roque said in a statement.
The consultative committee (ConCom), tasked to propose amendments to the 1987 Constitution, approved Tueesday, July 3, the final draft of the proposed federal charter that will be submitted to Duterte on July 9.
The President is expected to endorse to Congress the proposed federal charter in his third State of the Nation Address on July 23.
Julio Teehankee, chairman of the Con-Com on political reforms, said Wednesday, July 4, there is no provision that prohibits Duterte, or even Vice President Leni Robredo, from seeking re-election under the planned federal constitution.
"Their term will end in 2022. There's no ban. They can run under a new constitution," Teehankee said in a television interview, referring to Duterte and Robredo.
Under the proposed federal type of government, all elected officials will serve a four-year term, with one possible re-election.
Duterte is allowed to seek a fresh term when his present term ends, and run again for a term that will end in 2030, if the federal constitution is enforced in 2022.
Duterte has sought a federal state to put an end to the supposed inequalities among the regions, especially in Mindanao.
He has emphasized that a federal government would equally distribute wealth in the regions, which would help spur the country's economy.
The Chief Executive has repeatedly said that he would not stay in power beyond his term, adding that he is even willing to step down sooner if the shift to federalism takes effect before 2022.
"You know, the time for federalism has come to our country. We have to move away from the style of unitary form of government, which has been in existence or set up originally by the Spaniards. It has always been a strong central government," Duterte said in a speech delivered in Davao City on June 16.
"You craft a constitution adapting to the federal system and yet during the transition, you want a leader to handle the transitioning of this country from unitary to federal, I would be happy to step down. I will resign. I will not fight for it," he added. (SunStar Philippines)