Talk of a “no election” scenario in 2019 and a possible extension of President Rodrigo Duterte’s term thrust government critics into pseudo-anxiety mode Wednesday, after leaders of the two chambers of Congress, who are both his party mates, left open such a possibility in the prospective transition to federalism, which will involve Charter change.
Malacañang, however, sought to play down apprehension sparked by such, insisting that Duterte will always act with the Constitution as compass.
A leader of the Senate minority, Francis Pangilinan, said evidence abounds that Congress as such cannot be simply trusted with the task of Charter change.
The discussions began when Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez floated a possible no-election scenario in 2019 as the result of constitutional amendments occasioned by the shift to federalism, a key plank of the administration’s legislative reforms.
Asked in a TV interview for comment on increasing speculation that the shift to federalism — which the Speaker said is among Congress’ priorities in 2018 – would involve scuttling the 2019 midterm elections, Alvarez replied: “Anything is possible. You know why? Let’s be practical. Kapag nag-shift ka [when you shift] into a different form of government – unitary to a federal – you’re going to need a transition government.”
Congress, convened as a constituent assembly, cannot just simply approve a draft Charter in May 2018 and then make it take effect immediately, he added.
“There will be a plebiscite, you’ll have to explain that to the public,” Alvarez added, speaking partly in Filipino.
All constitutions, he added, have a transitory provision, citing as example the “Cory [Aquino] Constitution which had a transitory provision governing the case of those elected officials whose terms were to expire.
Some terms expire in 2019, others in 2022, he noted. “In fairness, siguro mas maganda kapag pina-expire mo lahat sa [maybe it’s better if you let them all expire in] 2022, para wala ka nang utang [so you don’t have any carryover]. So, expired lahat ng terms [all terms expire in one blow].”
Malacañang, however, sought to play down apprehension sparked by such, insisting that Duterte will always act with the Constitution as compass.
A leader of the Senate minority, Francis Pangilinan, said evidence abounds that Congress as such cannot be simply trusted with the task of Charter change.
The discussions began when Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez floated a possible no-election scenario in 2019 as the result of constitutional amendments occasioned by the shift to federalism, a key plank of the administration’s legislative reforms.
Asked in a TV interview for comment on increasing speculation that the shift to federalism — which the Speaker said is among Congress’ priorities in 2018 – would involve scuttling the 2019 midterm elections, Alvarez replied: “Anything is possible. You know why? Let’s be practical. Kapag nag-shift ka [when you shift] into a different form of government – unitary to a federal – you’re going to need a transition government.”
Congress, convened as a constituent assembly, cannot just simply approve a draft Charter in May 2018 and then make it take effect immediately, he added.
“There will be a plebiscite, you’ll have to explain that to the public,” Alvarez added, speaking partly in Filipino.
All constitutions, he added, have a transitory provision, citing as example the “Cory [Aquino] Constitution which had a transitory provision governing the case of those elected officials whose terms were to expire.
Some terms expire in 2019, others in 2022, he noted. “In fairness, siguro mas maganda kapag pina-expire mo lahat sa [maybe it’s better if you let them all expire in] 2022, para wala ka nang utang [so you don’t have any carryover]. So, expired lahat ng terms [all terms expire in one blow].”
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