‘THAT'S SELF-SERVING’

Jinggoy to oppose proposed term extensions for national officials

Senator Jinggoy Estrada on Monday said he would oppose any proposal that would amend the 1987 Constitution to extend the terms of national officials, saying it was "self-serving."

"So, I will not allow it. You can revisit the Constitution, tinker with the Constitution as long as you don't touch the term limits of national and local officials," Estrada said in an interview.

Although he expressed opposition to the extension of terms of government officials, Estrada said he was open to supporting other charter amendments such as the lifting of limits on foreign ownership.

"Pag tinanggal ang balakid don, bibigay sa banyaga, that will provide, generate more jobs for our people," he added.

(If you remove that obstacle, allow foreign ownership, that will provide, generate more jobs for our people.)

Estrada believed that if they extended the terms of the president and vice president, other national officials would follow suit.

"Susunod na 'yan, mga national officials at local officials, sigurado 'yan. 'Yun ang danger na nakikita ko," he stressed.

Also, Estrada said the public would blame them if they tinker with the term limits of national and local officials.

"[Ang sasabihin] kaya kayo andiyan gusto niyo magpa-extend ng term," he noted.

(They will say that we're here because we want to extend our terms.)

On the proposals to change the type of government to a federal form, Estrada said Congress should debate this issue extensively.

"Pag magkamali tayo, it will affect the entire Filipino nation, the entire government structure. We have to discuss, study very well the federalism issue," he said.

His fellow lawmaker, Senator Robin Padilla, had expressed his intent to file a bill amending the 1987 Constitution to push for a federal type of government in the Philippines.

Senator Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III, whose name is being floated as a possible Senate minority leader, said he would support Padilla's initiative. — DVM, GMA News