Duterte on Cha-cha: Do it now

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte urged his allies in the House of Representatives last night to work double time for Charter change during the 18th Congress.

“We have to change the Constitution, whether federal or whatnot,” Duterte said in a speech during the swearing in of new government appointees at Malacañang.

He said he made the call during a closed-door meeting of about three hours with three of the aspirants for House speaker: Taguig-Pateros Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano, Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez.

“Sabi ko doon sa tatlo, kinausap ko, si speaker – and that is Cayetano; Velasco will be assuming the term-sharing, maybe kung buhayin pa siya, maabutan pa niya, tapos si majority floor leader – sabi ko, ‘If you want to change the Constitution, do it now. Andiyan pa ako,’” Duterte said.

The Chief Executive has been pushing for the shift to federalism – one of his campaign platforms – when he ran for the presidency in 2016.

At the same event, Duterte repeated that there is no need for the military to take over government if they feel he is no longer fit to be President.

He said he would readily turn over the position to the chosen one without the need to shed blood.

Duterte reiterated his call for everyone in the government not to succumb to corruption because it has affected many sectors of society.

“And I can tell the military, ‘No, no, no, you better...’ Kasi ang military mainit na. And I told you all the corruption sa gobyerno ang pinakamalaki, nasa taas (in government, the worst is at the top),” Duterte said.