Duterte wants Concom to cut his term

MANILA, Philippines — After repeatedly promising not to seek reelection after 2022, President Duterte is now considering stepping down midway or ahead of the establishment of a federal government.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque yesterday said the Chief Executive might be out of Malacañang before 2022 – if he gets his wish of letting the electorate choose the transition leader ahead of the formal establishment of a federal government.

Roque said Duterte wants the consultative committee (Concom) formed to propose amendments to the Charter to come up with a provision that would require the transition leader to be elected, effectively cutting his six-year term.

The Concom presented its proposed federalism charter to the President yesterday and expressed confidence that the draft would promote the welfare of the poor, especially those in far-flung areas.

“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 at 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 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 remarks at the start of the Cabinet meeting yesterday. 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 spokesman said.

Roque said Cabinet members were shocked by Duterte’s announcement. He said he felt sad because he wanted Duterte to serve the country until 2022.

He 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 Duterte’s proposed provision 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, that’s why 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 Constitution to allow himself to remain in power. The President has denied this, saying he is ready to step down once a federal government is established.

Bayanihan federalism

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 ‘turncoatism’ and banning political dynasties from running in polls.

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.

A proposed new constitution would also keep restrictions on foreign ownership of companies, land and public utilities, but ease limits in media and advertising.

The draft constitution also removes a single-term limit for the country’s president.

Congress will begin debating the proposed constitution this month, aiming to put it to the public in a referendum next year.

According to the draft charter, there is no change to the 40 percent cap on foreign ownership of corporations, public utilities and land. It does allow 30 percent foreign ownership of media and advertising businesses.

Investors have been frustrated at being shut out of some sectors in a market of more than 100 million Filipinos, either squeezed by local monopolies or regulations that limit foreign investments.

Roque said the draft charter was a significant step in the move to a federal system of government that aims to boost the economy and grant provinces more autonomy.

“We’re hoping that Congress will give it much weight,” Roque said told reporters.

Under the proposed charter, all elected officials, including the president and vice president, will serve a four-year term with possible re-election for a second term.

The president and vice president are currently elected for six years and barred from running for a second term.

Duterte and Robredo will keep their positions in the transition period until elections are called under the new constitution in May 2022.

Shifting to a federal system has been Duterte’s priority since coming to office two years ago, saying he will step down immediately and urge new elections under the new constitution.

An opinion survey conducted in March found that only 37 percent of Filipinos agree with the shift to a federal system of government.