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Trillanes on Duterte’s resign speech: It’s a trap


Opposition Senator Antonio Trillanes IV on Tuesday described as a trap President Rodrigo Duterte’s statement that he will step down as early as next year if the administration's push for a shift to federalism succeeds.

Trillanes compared the statement to the President’s promise that he will end illegal drugs, corruption, and criminality in six months which he said have yet to be fulfilled two years into the office.

“That is a trap! Huwag tayo magpapaloko ulit sa mga pangakong ganyan ni Duterte.  Gaya ng kanyang pangako na paglinis daw ng bansa ng korapsyon, krimen at illegal drugs in three to six months at kundi n’ya magawa, s’ya daw ay magre-resign,” he said.

He said Duterte only wanted the senators to push for Charter change.

“Nais lang nyang lokohin at i-bitag ang mga senador para pumayag na mag Cha-cha nang sa ganun ay magahasa na nila ang ating Constitution para ma-postpone ang 2019 elections at mapanatili sila sa pwesto,” he said. 

Trillanes said the people should not be lured by Duterte’s speeches, adding that if the latter indeed wanted to step down from his post, he should do so without any drama or condition.

“Hindi tayo dapat pumayag sa ganyang balakin. Ngayon, kung gusto n’ya talaga mag-resign dahil pagod na daw siya, gawin niya lang agad na wala ng drama at kundisyon pa,” he said.

Duterte earlier the Consultative Committee to put in the federal charter that he will be president only until 2019. 

“Make me stop being president during the transition. In other words, elect a president before you make the transition from unitary to federal. I would be willing to accept the proposal. Galing na sa akin,” the President said in a speech in Davao City.

“I urge Congress and kay Puno [consultative committee headed by former Chief Justice Reynato Puno] ngayon to make the final changes. Make me president only next year 2019 and I will accept it if that will satisfy.”

On the other hand, Senator Francis Pangilinan said any talk of term extension or no-election scenario should not be discussed now.

“Term extension or no-election scenario leaves a bad taste in the mouth, especially when prices of rice and other basic food items are rising and government has just increased taxes. Trabaho at dagdag na sahod ng mamamayan, at hindi dagdag na termino at sweldo ng pulitiko ang sigaw ng taumbayan,” Pangilinan said.

This is in connection with the proposed federal charter having no provision on prohibiting Duterte and other incumbent officials from running again in 2022. 

Constitutional expert Christian Monsod earlier said this could lead to a term extension for Duterte beyond 2022 if the country shifts to a federal form of government.

Pangilinan said the people should not be denied of its right to vote.

“Hindi tayo papayag na balewalain ang sagradong karapatan ng mamamayan na piliin ang kanilang napupusuan sa halalan. Kung uunahin lang ang interes ng mga pulitiko ay huwag na tayong mag-Chacha. Ituloy ang halalan,” he said.

Senator Panfilo Lacson, for his part, said the draft charter should not be about a single person but the welfare of the next generation.

“The proposed draft charter is not about one person, or for those opposing and supporting it. Neither is it about us in this present generation,” he said.

“Therefore, when it is transmitted to Congress, we must base our decision on what should serve best the interest of future generations of Filipinos. In fact, that should be our first and only consideration,” he added. — RSJ, GMA News

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