Church, rights groups slam floating of possible term extensions

ILOILO CITY—-Militant church and human rights organizations in Panay condemned allies of President Duterte for floating the possibility of term extensions once a federal state is put up.

The Promotion of Church People’s Response (PCPR) and Karapatan warned of widespread protest actions if term limits are lifted or extended.

“We condemn these pronouncements but we are not surprised. These are obviously part of efforts to install one-man rule in the country under Duterte,” said Fr. Marco Sulayao, chair of PCPR in Panay.

Sulayao said these are part of efforts to consolidate power and eliminate opposition similar to calls to put up by the so-called “Revolutionary Government” and the extension of Martial Law in Mindanao.

Reylan Vergara, secretary general of the human right group Karapatan in Panay, said the moves to amend the Constitution and change the system of government to a federal system is being used by the President and his allies to consolidate and retain power.

“Instead of addressing the many pressing problems of the people, the rubber stamp Congress and Senate are setting entrenching dictatorial rule,” Vergara said.