Cayetano explains proposed extension of term limits for lawmakers

MANILA, Philippines — Taguig-Pateros Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano insisted Friday that there is a logical reason behind his proposal to extend the term limits of lawmakers.

In a video uploaded on Facebook on Friday, Cayetano said his critics had focused only on some parts of what he is trying to push in the 18th Congress.

He said he wonders why his friends, critics, and even media outlets are cherry-picking.

“Sa sampung sinabi ko, isa lang ang titignan (Of the ten things I say, they’ll look at only one issue),” he said.

“So let me clarify. The talks about a four-year-no-term limit or a five-year-three-term limit are in connection with having an equitable and sustainable inclusive economy that can really develop every single square inch of the Philippines, including protecting the West Philippine Sea and all of the waters,” he added.

Cayetano, who is seeking the House Speaker post, did not name the critic he was referring to. But in a separate Facebook live video that has since been deleted, he pointed to Senator Panfilo Lacson.

Lacson recently said that Cayetano’s speaker bid is either “starting on the wrong foot or delivering the wrong message” when he proposed to lengthen the term of congressmen and congresswomen.

“Malapit kong kaibigan si Senator Lacson pero maling-maling po yung sinasabi niyang for the self-interest (Senator Lacson is a close friend but what he said about self-interest is wrong) […] I’ve been in politics for 27 years. Hindi ko po kailangan ng (I don’t need) term extension,” he said in the removed post.

“Ang problema po kasi sa ibang nagki-criticize, maging sa media man, sa private sector, nasa gobyerno, hindi pa nila nakikita yung buong proposal (The problem critics from the media, the private sector or government have not seen the full proposal),” he added.

READ: Lacson: Cayetano’ starting on wrong foot or delivering wrong message’

Currently, Article VI, Section 7 of the 1987 Constitution restricts lawmakers from taking seats at the House of Representatives to three consecutive three-year terms. Lawmakers cannot seek a fourth term, but they may run for another term in the next election.

President Rodrigo Duterte had proposed a term-sharing between Speaker candidates Cayetano and Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco, where the former would sit for the first 15 months while Velasco would have the remaining 21 months.

Leyte 1st District Rep. Martin Romualdez, another speaker candidate, would settle as Majority Floor Leader.

READ: Duterte pushes for Cayetano-Velasco term-sharing for Speaker

READ: Duterte ends speakership squabble

Observers noted, however, that Duterte’s endorsement of Cayetano does not translate to an assurance of the House’s top post. /ee

READ: ‘Advantage but not an assurance’, Koko says of Duterte’s Cayetano endorsement

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