Palace OK with no term extension for Duterte under new Charter

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / JOAN BONDOC

Malacañang sees no problem with the proposal of former Chief Justice Reynato Puno that President Rodrigo Duterte could not extend his term under the new charter.

“The President has expressed that he has no intention of staying a minute longer than what the term of the President provides under our Constitution,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a statement on Tuesday.

Roque echoed Duterte’s remarks that “he would step down from the presidency earlier, should the Philippines shift to a federal system of government as early as 2020.”

Puno, chair of the Consultative committee (Con-com) tasked by Duterte to draft the new federal charter, said the panel was inclined to create or allow any provision that will extend terms of any public official.

“There will be no holdover provision. By the time we have already shifted to a federal form, a new president will be voted,” he said. /jpv

READ: Duterte cannot extend term when PH shifts to federalism, says Con-com chair