Duterte insists: No illusions of extending term under any Constitution

President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday insisted he has "no illusions" of holding the presidency one day longer than the duration permitted not just by the 1987 Constitution, but also "whatever Constitution there might be."

"I have no illusions of occupying this office one day longer than what the Constitution under which I was elected permits, or under whatever Constitution there might be," Duterte said at the latter end of his State of the Nation Address before a joint session of Congress.

During his SONA, the President thanked the Consultative Committee (Con-com), the panel he created which drafted a proposed federal charter. Former Chief Justice Reynato Puno headed the Con-com.

He thanked Puno and Con-com member, former Senate President Aquilino Pimentel Jr., for their valuable services in drafting the proposed charter. 

Duterte has tasked the Con-com to craft provisions that would enable him to step down after the ratification of a new constitution and bar him from running in the 2022 elections.

The committee has complied with his request.

But despite denials from Duterte or his camp, government critics have argued that the transition to a federal system of government will be used to prolong the President's stay in power.

'Public support'

In his SONA, Duterte also expressed confidence that the move towards a new, federal constitution will enjoy public support.

"I am confident that the Filipino people will stand behind us as we introduce this new fundamental law that will not only strengthen our democratic institutions but also create an environment for every Filipino regardless of his social status, religion or ideology ... will have an equal opportunity to grow and create a future that he or she can proudly bequeath to the succeeding generations," he said.

No proposed change to the 1987 Constitution will be considered valid unless it is ratified by the majority of votes cast in a plebiscite, or a direct public vote.

The latest survey results from Pulse Asia show 62 percent of Filipinos are against the proposed shift to federalism. — RSJ, GMA News