Deputy House Speaker says no one can confirm ‘no-el’ will happen

House Deputy Speaker Rep. Fredenil Castro of Capiz. INQUIRER.net / Jhoanna Ballaran

No one could say with finality, except God, that the 2019 midterm elections would not push through because of the country’s proposed shift to federalism, a House leader said on Saturday, emphasizing the Constitution clearly states the schedule of the national polls.

Deputy House Speaker Fredenil Castro dismissed as “speculations” the no-election scenario and term extension for President Rodrigo Duterte floated by some administration allies.

“I just want to make it clear na kahit na sino man, maliban lang siguro kung Diyos na magsalita, ay hindi makakapagsabi na hindi matutuloy ang eleksyon,” Castro said during a news forum at Annabel’s Restaurant in Quezon City.

(I just want to make it clear that no one, unless God says, could say that elections would not push through.)

“Personally I think this is very speculative… unang-una siya mismo nagsasabi na ayaw na niya nga, gusto niyang (iklian) ang kanyang term,” he added.

(First of all, he has been saying he want to cut short his term.)

Castro said he would rather believe the President than those who are floating the idea of postponing the election as part of the country’s transition to federalism.

The House leader also echoed the Palace’s stand that unless the Constitution is amended before the 2019 polls, election would push through.

“Maliban na lang kung ma-amyenda ang Constitution, doon lamang natin masasabi na ang eleksyon ay hindi matutuloy ayon sa transitory provision ng bagong Saligang Batas,” he noted.

(Unless the Constitution is amended, that is the only time we could say that the election would not push through due to the transitory provision of the new Charter.)

READ: No-el scenario in 2019 possible – Alvarez

House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez on Wednesday first raised the possibility of a no-election scenario next year once the proposed shift to federalism pushes through this year.

Alvarez said Congress may convene this January to discuss and pass the proposal, then hold a referendum in May, coinciding with the planned barangay elections.

On the same day, Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III said that once federalism materializes, Duterte’s term may be extended “if necessary” and if the chief executive is “amenable” to it.

READ: Koko: Federalism may extend Duterte’s term, ‘if he’s amenable’

Critics immediately opposed and shot down the proposals, saying that such move would pave the way for Duterte to gain a “centralized power.”

“All roads lead to centralized powers for Pres. Duterte, whether its martial law, revolutionary government or charter change,” former congressman and Bayan Muna chair Neri Colmenares said in a statement.

“Worse, these roads may get the support of many politicians as a result of the cancellation of the 2019 elections and the wholesale extension of terms of all government officials from the Senators down to councilors,” he added. /jpv

READ: Duterte may gain ‘centralized power’ through federalism, Colmenares warns