Ex-CJ Puno: Term extension not in con-com agenda

Former Chief Justice Reynato Puno on Tuesday said the feared "term extension" is not in the agenda of the consultative committee (con-com) formed by President Rodrigo Duterte to review the 1987 Constitution.

Puno, con-com chairman, told News To Go in an interview that there the 20-member body does not include "professional politicians" who would seek to extend their terms when the government shifts to federalism.

"Hindi ko alam kung ano 'yung motibo ng ibang grupo pero hindi 'yan ang magiging motive nitong consultative committee na ito," he said, referring to allegations that the bid towards Charter change is a front for politicians to stay in power.

"You can be sure that that is not part of the agenda of the committee. Wala naman ditong mga professional politicians that would like to extend their terms," he added.

Puno conceded, however, that he is uncertain on whether a term extension is in President Rodrigo Duterte's agenda in his push for Charter change.

"I'm not sure if that is part of the agenda of the president. Eh palagi ngang sinasabi ni presidente na once mabuo na 'yang federal government, he's ready to go," the former chief magistrate said.

Duterte had told the police and the military to shoot him if he overstays in Malacañang.

Critics of the Duterte administration's push for federalism have assailed several aspects of efforts to amend the Charter.

Some have called it "self-serving" as it supposedly covers for skirting public officials' term limits. Others said it is "untimely."

One of federalism's main proponents, an executive of Duterte's political party PDP-Laban, has accused federalism non-believers of stoking fear of the "totally new concept" among the public.

Meanwhile, Puno said the con-com's next agenda item is to look into executive powers.

"...Nakita na natin 'yang mga deficiencies diyan and accordingly, we will remedy these deficiencies and of course, we have to adjust the executive power because now, certain parts of this power will be given to the constituent units," he said, referring to the proposed federal states.

The jurisdiction of the proposed federal Supreme Court will likewise be "re-calibrated," he said.

The con-com has voted to propose a presidential-federal system, similar to the United States.

The body seeks to finish its work by the last week of June or early July, Puno said. —Nicole-Anne C. Lagrimas/ALG, GMA News