Reacting to Pangilinan’s claims a ‘waste of time’ — Pimentel

Senate President Aquilino ‘Koko’ Pimentel III (right) said it would be ‘a waste of time’ responding to claims by Sen. Francis Pangilinan (left) who posted on social media about ‘whispers’ regarding an alleged plan to extend the term of President Duterte. INQUIRER FILES

Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III said Thursday that it would be a “waste of time” responding to claims made by Sen. Francis Pangilinan about an alleged plot to extend the term of President Rodrigo Duterte through Charter change (Cha-cha).

Earlier in the day, Pangilinan posted on social media about “whispers” in Congress regarding a purported plan by Duterte’s allies to extend his term and those of lawmakers by 10 years during the transition period to a federal government.

Sought for comment on the matter, Pimentel said in a text message to reporters: “Busy ako sayang oras.”

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque told media that Duterte had no intention of prolonging his term and even wants to shorten it, echoing earlier pronouncements of the President.

Pangilinan, citing “bulong-bulungan” in Congress, revealed that  Congress would give Duterte the power to create a law similar to the late Dictator Ferdinand Marcos’ Amendment no. 6, which vested lawmaking powers in Marcos alongside the Batasang Pambansa.

“Heto ang iilan sa mga bulong-bulungan sa Kongreso ng mga posibleng amendments tungkol sa minumungkahi na Charter change:

May 10 taon na transition period sa federalism na wala munang eleksyon at itutulak ang term extension para sa mga nakaupo.

2) Hindi lang si PRRD ang may term extension, lahat ng kongresista at mga senador term extension din kaya wala ng eleksyon, wala ng gastos ang mga pulitiko, wala ng bababa sa pwesto.

3) At dahil wala ng eleksyon, appointed na muna ang lahat ng mga lokal na opisyal.

4) Bibigyan ng kapangyarihan ang Pangulo na gumawa ng mga batas tulad ng Amendment no. 6 nung panahon ni Marcos habang hindi pa nabubuo ang Federal government.”

Fifth was the alleged lifting of restrictions imposed upon foreign investors, particularly China, in order for them to “exploit” the country’s natural resources.

Pangilinan questioned this, saying it could be a “Part Two” of controversial deals of the Arroyo administration with China involving NBN-ZTE contract and the NorthRail project. /cbb