Pimentel: Cha-cha, not no-election scenario, for Aquino term extension

Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – Administration Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III is in favor of amending the Constitution and to extend the term of the President but not to a no-election (no-el) scenario.

“Matagal na rin naman akong open-minded sa Charter change (Cha-Cha) and in fact, my original position has been to review not only economic provisions but also the political system, the set up in the country,” Pimentel said in an interview with Senate reporters on Thursday.

(I have long been open-minded on Charter change and and in fact, my original position has been to review not only economic provisions but also the political system.)

“So if we’re going to review the Constitution, (it should be) the entirety of the Constitution.   Huwag na lang na let’s pretend that we will limit (it to) the economic provisions…since binubuksan naman ang review ng Constitution, let it be the entire Constitution which will be reviewed, including the term of office of the President.”

(So if we’re going to review the Constitution,   (it should be) the entirety of the Constitution.   Let’s not pretend that we will limit (it to) the economic provisions…since we’re opening a review of the Constitution, let it be the entire Constitution which will be reviewed, including the term of office of the President.)

“Instead of single term of six years, why not go back to two four-year terms so that the re-election of the sitting President will be a referendum or a review of the performance of his four-year term,” he said.

While the idea of term extension came from President Benigno Aquino III himself, Pimentel   doubts   whether   the   President   would take   advantage of it.

“Let’s say matuloy ‘yun, ang prediction ko hindi sya magti-take advantage du’n sa chance n’ya to be re-elected,” said the senator.

(Let’s say it pushes through, my prediction is that he would nott take advantage of the chance to be re-elected)

But Pimentel could not say yet if he would initiate the Charter change in the Senate.

“Let me think about it pero sa ngayon kasi (but now) I have my hands full…,” he said.

The senator is not only the chairman of the Senate committee on electoral reforms, and justice, but he is also set to lead the investigation into the alleged “overpriced” carpark building in Makati City involving Vice President Jejomar Binay and son, Makati Mayor n Jejomar Erwin “Jun-Jun” Binay.

“So let me think about it kung ako rin ba ang mag-uumpisa ng Cha-cha dito sa Senado,” he said.

(So let me   think about it if   should also initiate   Cha-Cha here in the Senate)

Pimentel was confident that   “open-minded” senators would tackle the issue once the proposal was brought to the Senate.

“Ayoko pang mag surrender. We will try our best, but I will not give a guarantee na papasa. Basta let’s start talking about it, let’s   try our best,” he said.

(I don’t want to surrender. We will try our best but I will not give a guarantee that it will pass. Let’s just start talking about it, let’s try our best.)

The senator quickly shot down though the idea of suspending the upcoming elections just to extend the term of the incumbent President.

“Huwag, huwag (No, no). No election scenario is to be avoided at all cost and cannot be justified,” he further said.

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