Under federalism, Duterte may stay till 2025

A federalism advocate on Thursday raised the possibility of extending President Duterte’s term to 2025 while the country adjusts to the shift to a federal parliamentary government.

Lito Lorenzana, president of the Centrist Democracy Political Institute, also said that in the process of revising the Constitution and shifting to a federal system, there are four “critical conditions” that must be met.

These are: the reform of political parties including the penalizing of turncoats; the abolition of political dynasties; the passage of a freedom of information law; and electoral reforms.

Lorenzana, speaking at a Malacañang press briefing, said he believes the country is on the verge of shifting from a unitary to a federal government because Mr. Duterte himself is championing the idea.—LEILA B. SALAVERRIA