Velasco: PDP-Laban members want Duterte term extension, if only it were possible

If it were possible to do so, the members of ruling party PDP-Laban would want to extend the term of President Rodrigo Duterte, House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco said Wednesday.

Velasco made the pronouncement during the PDP-Laban meeting graced by President Duterte on Tuesday night but only aired over state-run PTV-4 on Wednesday.

“Sa tingin ko lang po, Pangulo, ang mga kasamahan po natin dito, hindi lang nagsasabi, siguro at the bottom of their...sa nilalaman ng puso nila, kung pwedeng lang po i-extend lang talaga yung termino niyong pangulo, ay mas maganda pong i-extend,” Velasco said.

(The way I see it, our party members are not saying it but in their hearts, if your term as President could be extended, it would be better to extend it.)

“I guess that's really not possible right now, so malapit-lapit na ang 2022 elections. I guess I can speak for everyone na basta mag-instruct lang kayo, susunod, gagalaw kami,” he added.

(The 2022 elections are near. I guess I can speak for everyone in that just give the instructions and we will obey.)

Term extension for a sitting President is not allowed under the law. Duterte’s six-year term ends on June 30, 2022.

Velasco, however, is determined to push for a Vice Presidential bid for President  Duterte in 2022.

“At end of the day, Mr. President, 'yung continuity talaga ang hinahanap natin. Kayo po mag-direct na po sa amin para po as early as now, we can already move and we can already try to rally the troops para po ang continuity ay ma-achieve ulit po natin for 2022,” Velasco added.

(At end of the day, Mr. President, we are really looking for continuity. Please direct us so that as early as now, we can already move and we can already try to rally the troops so we can achieve continuity in 2022.)

Senator Ronald Dela Rosa agreed, likening the President to a doctor taking care of a patient.

“Nakikita ko kasi ang Pilipinas ay parang pasyente na ngayon ay gumagaling na dahil mayroong isang Doctor Duterte. ‘Yung desisyon mo, Sir, na sabi mo tatakbo ka bilang bise presidente ay napaka-timely po,” dela Rosa said.

(I see the Philippines as a patient who is healing because of Doctor Duterte. Your decision to run for Vice President is very timely.)

“Kahit na hindi na ikaw ang magiging main doctor sa isang pasyente na Pilipinas, ay you will be acting as assistant doctor na malaki pa rin ang role mo para sa ikagagaling ng pasyente,” Dela Rosa added.

(Even if you are not the main doctor of the patient, you will be acting as assistant doctor and you will still have a huge role in the patient’s healing.)

After earlier demurring, Duterte is now saying he is seriously thinking about a vice presidential run next year. — BM, GMA News