Palace concedes no more time for Congress to discuss term extension

The plenary hall of the Batasang Pambansa. (FILE PHOTO) Screenshot from RTVM Youtube Live

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Tuesday acknowledged that Congress has no more time to deliberate on the proposed term extension for the president, vice president, congressmen, and local officials.

“May paparating na eleksyon sa May 2022 at sa palagay ko wala nang oras ang Kongreso sa panukalang ito,” Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, also the acting presidential spokesperson, said during a Palace press briefing.

(We have an upcoming election in May 2022 and I think Congress has no time for this proposal.)

“Isa pa, mayroon tayong mas mabigat na laban at ito po ‘yung laban against COVID-19,” he continued.

(Another thing, we have a bigger fight and this is the fight against COVID-19.)

Pampanga Rep. Aurelio Gonzales Jr. recently filed Resolution of Both Houses No. 7 to lengthen the term limits of select government positions.

Under Gonzales’ proposal, the term of the president and vice president will be changed from the current one six-year term to a five-year tenure with one reelection.

It also intends to modify the current three-year term with two reelections of members of the House of Representatives to a five-year term with one reelection.

As for local government officials – excluding barangay officials, the resolution aims to let them have a five-year term but “no official shall serve for more than two consecutive terms.”

Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Alredo Garbin Jr., chair of the House committee on constitutional amendments, said Gonzales’ proposal is “too late in the day.”

Similarly, Senate President Vicente Sotto III and Senator Panfilo Lacson on Monday said there is not enough time to tackle the proposal.

KGA