Binay told: Presidential term limited to prevent abuse, dynasties

Vice President Jejomar Binay. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/Romy Homillada

Malacañang on Friday reminded Vice President Jejomar Binay that the term limits imposed on Philippine presidents was instituted to prevent abuse of power.

Binay on Thursday again said that he will seek the lifting of term limitations for elected officials. He said officials should be elected into office as long as people vote for them.

READ: Binay seeks lifting of term limitations: One to ‘sawa’

But Communications Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr. said term limits were enacted because of the bad experience of Filipinos during the dictatorship of former President Ferdinand Marcos, who ran for reelection and stayed in power for 20 years despite the proliferation of human rights abuses.

“Pinaka-mahalaga ‘yung nag-iisang termino ng Pangulo at kailangan marinig ang tinig ng mga Boss (Filipino people) hinggil dito,” he said in a text message to media.

(The most important is the single term for a President and we need to hear the opinion of the Bosses.)

Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte also pointed out that President Benigno Aquino III has expressed “reservations about lifting term limits.”

READ: Aquino: No more 2nd term | Binay: No to Aquino 2nd term

“He has expressed this many times as lifting terms limits opens the door to dictators who can abuse the resources of the State to stay in power, which was precisely the concern of the framers of the 1987 Constitution,” she said.

“Doing away with term limits may also make it easier for families with dynastic inclinations to perpetuate themselves in office,” Valte added.

Binay is gunning for the presidency in 2016. He has been criticizing the Aquino administration since resigning from the Cabinet last month.

Earlier last month, Binay said six years “is too long for a bad president, too short for a good one.” He said he wanted the old system of having four-year terms with the option of reelection.

Aquino, on the other hand, has said that reelection might “open doors to somebody who might emulate Mr. (Ferdinand) Marcos and not leave the office forever.” IDL

READ: Binay open to lifting term limits for president, vice president