Palace on 2022 reelection ban: Duterte has no other motives

The final copy of the draft federal Constitution that explicitly banned President Rodrigo Duterte from running again in 2022 should allay fears of a possible term extension for the chief executive.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque issued this statement after Duterte’s Consultative Committee (Con-com) included in the final draft of the proposed federal government that Duterte is prohibited from running again as President.

READ: Duterte reelection banned in 2022 under draft federal Charter

“We thank the Consultative Committee for accommodating the President’s request to provide for an elected transition president,” Roque said.

“This should finally allay all fears that PRRD (Duterte) has other motives for wanting to shift to a federal form of government,” he added.

Duterte had earlier said that he was ready to step down once the government runs into a federal system.

He also said he wanted voters to elect a ‘younger’ new leader to oversee the transition of the government into the proposed federal system. /ee

READ: Palace: Duterte wants voters to elect ‘younger’ leader to head transition gov’t