Valenzuela City mayor favors removal of term limits for elected officials

MANILA, Philippines — Valenzuela City Mayor Rex Gatchalian, who is seeking a seat in Congress, is in favor for the removal of term limits for individuals who want to serve the country.

In an interview with INQside Look on Wednesday, Gatchalian was asked if he is in favor of a Charter change.

“On the political side, I believe kasi (that)—this may be self-serving but ako naman (for me), I cannot—I guess this is the right time to say that. I really believe in the early initiatives to look into lifting term limits might be something that we should study,” he shared.

Gatchalian justified that a term limit “breeds more dynasties.”

“Every three years, the country goes into an election, that’s true. But, like I said, tama ‘yun, mag-eleksyon tayo (that’s correct, let’s hold elections). Pero when we say na (But, when we say) term limits parang (it seems) there’s a counter-effect to putting limits. It breeds—and I can say this—it breeds more dynasties in the making,” he noted.

“Halimbawa, nag-term out ka na (For instance, your term ended), you would want to put somebody in your stead. People are finding workarounds the term limits anyway. So, we might as well revisit it,” he expounded.

The mayor likewise cited the United States’ system.

“If you look at the United States, their congressmen are elected every two years but walang limit ‘yung term nila (their terms have no limits). And I think the rationale behind that is you learn over your experience in any position naman. Stock knowledge or institutional knowledge comes with it,” he said.

“Let me categorize that. I’m always for elections. Okay ako na every three years may election… pero sinasabi ko lang, dapat walang term limit,” he added.

(Let me categorize that. I’m always for elections. I’m okay with having elections every three years… but, what I’m saying is there should be no term limits.)

Moreover, Gatchalian pointed out that “incumbency is no longer a bullet-proof vest” with the rise of social media where people raise their criticisms.

“We always say na (that) incumbency kasi has been an advantage so you have to put a limit on it. Pero to be honest with you, now with the advent of social media, with the advent of people in media watching over local officials or public officials, incumbency is no longer a bullet-proof vest,” he said.

With his arguments, Gatchalian said that it may be time to assess the term limit implementation in the country.

“The times have changed when the law was created or the term limit concept was created, maybe it’s about time we study it and revisit it,” the local executive noted.

“You must be able to put yourself in the ballot as long as the people want you, then you can go back,” Gatchalian further said.

Gatchalian is gunning for a Congress seat as a representative of the first district of Valenzuela, a position he has previously occupied two terms before he became a mayor in May 2013.

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JPV