‘No more time for Noy to seek second term’

MANILA, Philippines - Even if he wants to, President Aquino could no longer seek a second term due to lack of time to amend the Constitution.

Election lawyer Romulo Macalintal said Congress’ calendar would show that legislators have only 57 days left to conduct sessions.

“While the term of office of senators and representatives in the current Congress will end at noon of June 30, 2016 or still one year and nine months from now, they have only around 57 remaining session days because they conduct sessions only on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays,” Macalintal noted.

“For sure, 57 days will not be enough to resolve all issues and debates pertaining to proposals to amend our Constitution,” Macalintal added.

The most probable period that legislators could meet, Macalintal said, will be from the January 19 to March 20, 2015 – equivalent to around 24 session days.

If Congress would have the time and number to finalize the amendments by June 11, 2015, Macalintal said, there would be no more time to prepare for the plebiscite for ratification. 

Macalintal noted that the Constitution requires a period of at least 90 days from finality of its amendments before holding such plebiscite.

If amendments are approved in June 2015, the earliest date of plebiscite will be in September 2015. 

By September 2015, Macalintal said, political parties would have finalized their list of candidates while the Comelec would be pressed for time preparing for the 2016 polls.

“Political leaders would have already finalized their candidates from president to the last councilors since the filing of certificates of candidacy will start by October 2015.

“There will be no more time to pass upon the issue of whether or not a president could still run for reelection,” Macalintal said.