Amid talk of transition to federal system, Palace says Duterte doesn’t want to extend term

President Rodrigo Duterte doesn't want to stay in power a minute longer even if it would be in line with the country transitioning to a federal system, his spokesman Harry Roque said on Wednesday.

Malacañang made the statement just hours after Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III raised the possibility Duterte’s term being extended during the transition to federalism.

“I can categorically state that PRRD does not want that. He wants to cut short his term rather than lengthen it,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in a text message to reporters.

Pimentel said the President's term could be extended if it was really necessary, if he was amenable to an extension, and if that extension "will be part of the new Constitution, the new Constitution is approved by the people themselves."

Duterte’s six-year term will end in 2022.

The President has repeatedly said that he would step down immediately if changes to the constitution—presumably those necessary for the shift to a federal system—are in place before his term ends. —NB, GMA News