Koko wants to uphold term limit amid federalism push

Senator Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III wants to maintain the term limit for lawmakers amid the push for the switch of government into federal form.

In an interview on Dobol B sa News TV on Sunday, Pimentel said that upholding the term limit for senators and representatives will give young blood politicians more chances to serve in the government.

Sen. Pimentel: Sa pamamagitan ng term limit, naipipilit natin ang paglaban ng new blood sa pulitika. https://t.co/Jl7zdrja0g

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“Importante nga 'yung term limit e. Sa pamamagitan ng term limit, naipipilit natin kahit indirectly ang paglaban  ng new blood o young blood sa pulitika,” Pimentel said.

The House of Representatives in December approved on final reading the Resolution of Both Houses No. 15 authored by Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, which seeks a shift to a federal form of government and the removal of the term limits for lawmakers. 

Federalism is one of President Rodrigo Duterte’s pet initiatives.

Pimentel clarified that they are not after the political provisions of term extension or removal of the term limit under federalism.

“Hindi sa term extension. Hindi sa term limit. Nakatingin kami sa system of government, sa federal system of government,” he said.

According to Pimentel, maintaining the term limit will give new politicians courage to run against a rival who is not an incumbent senator or representative.

“At least may chance. May maglalakas ng loob na lumaban. Sa term limit, may factor na ganu'n,” he said. —Joviland Rita/KG, GMA News