MANILA, Philippines — Senator Robin Padilla revealed on Thursday that he is exploring the option of allowing sitting presidents to run for re-election following his recent concession on proposed economic amendments to the 1987 Constitution.
The senator brought up various measures and proposed charter revisions during a recent news conference, one of which called for presidents to be eligible for a second term.
“Political naman. Kung ayaw nila ng economic, political naman (This time, it’s political. If they don’t want economics, let’s go with political,”) said Padilla.
He was referring to his proposed amendments to the charter’s economic provisions, which he could not push for legislation in the Senate.
“Kung may naiisip silang paraan for economic na hindi kailangan ng amiyenda ng Konstitusyon, eh ‘di sige. Hindi naman ako mahirap kausap,” Padilla explained.
(Anti-drug war victims seek resumption of ICC probe on EJKs
“Pero kung sa political, kailangan nila ulit ipaliwanag sa ‘kin bakit hindi na naman natin palusutin ‘to? Para sa ’kin, reelection ng presidente, mahalaga,” he added.
(But if it’s political, they must explain why we will let this slip again. For me, the reelection of the president is important.)
According to Padilla, it is high time for the country to revisit the re-election of presidents, explaining how data supposedly indicate that this is advantageous.
He cited the cases of former presidents Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Rodrigo Duterte.
“36 years na ganyan. Pwede nating balikan ‘yan panahon ni [Arroyo]. Nag assume siya, four years. Tumakbo ulit siya. Nagkaroon siya ng another six years,” said Padilla.
(It has been like that for 36 years. We can go back to the time of Arroyo. She assumed the presidency for four years. She ran again and had another six years.)
“Panahon ng economic progress, pinakamataas sa panahon niya kasi may continuity,” he added.
(Economic progress was highest during her time because there was continuity.)
Meanwhile, Padilla cited promising developments during Duterte’s administration.
But he lamented how the COVID-19 pandemic seemingly cut growth short by two years.
Padilla also reiterated his desire to reinstate the death penalty, specifically targeting law enforcers who supposedly commit treason through murder, drugs and smuggling.
RELATED STORIES:
Robin Padilla wants death penalty for law enforcers, elective execs involved in illegal drugs
Robin Padilla wants ex-presidents to automatically become presidential advisers