Duterte wants to relinquish role to head federal gov't transition to prove he has no agenda
MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte wants a new leader to oversee the transition to a federal government to dispel notions that he is using the charter change to remain in power.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said Duterte wants the consultative committee formed to propose amendments to the charter to come up with a provision stating that a transition leader should be elected.
"Before, the president said he was ready to serve as transition leader until 2022 but he announced earlier today that he wanted a provision stating that the transition leader should be elected," Roque said in a chance interview in Malacañang.
"He said that was his proposal to remove suspicions that he has other plans for charter change. Second, because he is very tired. He said he was very tired. He is old and perhaps electing a transition leader would enable a younger leader to take over," he added.
Roque said the 73-year-old Duterte made the remark during the start of the Cabinet meeting today. He said the President could step down as early as next year if voters ratify the new constitution.
"What he said is he wants to serve until the new constitution is approved and it seems that his assumption is there would be a plebiscite in 2019 so that people can vote on whether to ratify the new charter," the presidential spokesman said.
Roque said Cabinet members were shocked by Duterte's announcement. He said he was saddened because he wanted Duterte to serve the country until 2022.
Roque could not say whether Duterte had the same view on the position of vice president, a post occupied by opposition leader Leni Robredo.
Roque admitted that Congress has the final say on whether to include the provision on the new transition leader in the final draft of the new constitution.
"But I think the allies at least of the president will honor his wish because it's a clear statement that he no longer wants to serve as transitory president," he said.
Asked if Duterte would change his mind if there is a clamor for him to stay, Roque replied: "He said it with conviction... I was a bit saddened and the way he said it was, ‘I’m tired, it’s for someone younger.’ So it seems that it's his final decision."
Pressed if the president could still change his mind, Roque said: "I cannot say but from the tone of the president, I knew he meant what he said."
But the president's request to allow him to step down earlier would not happen if the public does not ratify the new charter.
Critics have accused Duterte of using efforts to amend the 1987 Constitution to allow himself to remain in power. The president has denied this, saying he was ready to step down once a federal government is established.
Bayanihan federalism
The ConCom presented its proposed federalism charter to the president today and expressed confidence that the draft would promote the welfare of the poor and far-flung areas.
ConCom chairman and former Chief Justice Reynato Puno said the committee did its work "with complete independence and unbiased by any partisan politics or elite interest."
He said the charter establishes a "bayanihan (communal unity)" federalism that will form regions that are socially, economically and politically viable and sustainable.
"We divided the powers of government guided by the Filipino spirit of bayanihan where both the federal government and the federated regions govern the people less in competition but more in cooperation with one another and aligned with the maxim the welfare of the people is the supreme law," Puno said.
He said the charter also democratizes the electoral process by prohibiting political dynasties that have long monopolized Philippine elections and political turncoatism.
The draft charter also creates an independent competition commission to prevent monopolies.
"The Draft Constitution did not only level the political playing field but also leveled the economic playing field. The Draft Constitution prohibited monopolies and oligopolies that substantially lessen competition in the market and abuse their dominant positions," Puno said. — Alexis Romero
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