President Rodrigo Duterte has declared again that he would step down once the country completes the shift to a federal system of government.
“I’m still good until 2022. But once there’s already a federal setup, I will step down. I will give it to [you]. Choose your leader, I’m ready to retire,” he said.
The President made the remarks in a speech on Friday in Marawi City, where he accepted firearms surrendered by former members of the Maute terror group and distributed aid to them.
Millitary and local officials presented 27 Maute surrenderees to the President.
It was not the first time the President had offered to cut short his six-year term and give way to a new leader if a federal form of government was put in place before 2022.
Having been elected in May 2016, the President has a constitutional mandate to serve until June 2022.
Transitory position
In February, he renewed his offer to step down from office, saying he did not want to take on a transitory position.
On Friday, the President again said he would resign once his administration had completed the shift to a federal form of government, or if the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) pushed through.
“If the BBL or federalism is completed by 2022, if it’s in place and requires new elections, I will step down,” he said.
He would renew talks with Moro National Liberation Front founding chair Nur Misuari once the proposed BBL is passed, he said.
Misuari had voiced opposition to the BBL, saying it only served certain Moro groups.
Congressional leaders had earlier promised the President during a meeting in Malacañang that they would pass the BBL by May 30.
“I want us to look for a formula. Let’s talk about this. I’m just waiting for the BBL. And once it is passed, I will start talking with Misuari,” the President said. —Julie M. Aurelio