No term extension for Duterte, Alvarez assures

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.  TOTO LOZANO/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

Amid talks of possible term extensions under a federal government, House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez on Thursday categorically dismissed speculations that pushing for charter change would extend the terms of President Duterte and lawmakers up for reelection.

“Malinaw po ang sinabi ng Pangulo na yung kanyang termino mag-e-end (The President clearly stated that his term will end) on or before 2022,” Alvarez said in a DZMM interview.

Having known the President for a long time, the Davao del Norte lawmaker said he was convinced that Duterte would not want to stay in power beyond his term.

“Matagal ko ng kilala yan, talagang pagod na rin at kung pupuwede nga lang bukas…,” Alvarez said.

(I’ve known him for so long, he’s really tired and if he could stop even tomorrow…)

Alvarez dismissed the speculations of some opposition members as a mere “tactic” to sow confusion over the no-elections scenario.

“Taktikalidad lang po ‘yan (That’s just a tactic),” Alvarez said, referring to the allegations of the opposition on the proposed shift to a federal form of government.

Earlier Thursday, Pangilinan posted on his social media accounts five possible scenarios, citing “whispers in Congress,” once the country shifts to a federal government.

This included the planned 10-year transition period to a federal government, which would extend the term of President Duterte and congressmen.

Pangilinan also 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. /je