What is the reason in proposing an Aquino term extension?

Caloocan rep. Edgar Erice. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – What was in the mind of Caloocan Rep. Edgar Erice when he proposed an Aquino reelection?

The Liberal Party stalwart said Friday that he first floated the idea of amending the Constitution in order to gauge the public’s reaction about giving President Aquino another shot for second term.

Erice wants to file a bill amending the single, six-year term limit for the President and replace it with a double four-year term with reelection.

But the President in a radio interview said he was not the one who sought a term extension. Erice said he sought the proposal to test the waters among the public.

“Sabi niya, ayaw niya. Bilang isang believer ni President Aquino, gusto ko na magpatuloy pa. Ginagawa ko ay magkaroon ng pag-uusap sa bagay na ito,” Erice said in a phone interview.

(He said he doesn’t want [a second term]. As a believer of President Aquino, I want him to continue [his administration]. What I am doing is to start a conversation on this idea).

“At nakikita ko na mayroong very slim opening. (I am seeing a very slim opening),” he added.

Erice has been making consultations with his constituents to ask for their views on a possible term extension.

The congressman said the President would only follow the clamor of his constituents if they support another extension.

But Erice’s proposal does not only refer to amending the term limits of the President. It also includes amending the terms of senators and representatives to a maximum of three 4-year terms. Under the Constitution, a senator could be elected to two six-year terms while a representative could be elected to three three-year terms.

Erice said he has yet to talk to the President about the latter’s recent statements saying he does not want a second term. But the solon said he would talk to the President once it is clear the people really want another Aquino term.

“I won’t claim to be the majority of the people. But kung napag-usapan ito ng mga taumbayan (if the people has started talking about this), then that’s the proper time I can talk to the President,” Erice said.

In a recent radio interview, Aquino said he was not after a second term, contrary to what he said in an earlier television interview when he said he is open to it upon the people’s clamor.

“Am I the one who has this ambition to extend my term?… As I said when I first ran for office, ‘I’m no masochist,’” Aquino said in Filipino.

But Aquino noted that some people have approached him about their wish for him to extend his term, and that he will always listen to the clamor of his constituents.

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