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LGU group backs proposed term extension for elected officials
A group of local officials on Wednesday backed a proposed measure amending the political provisions in the 1987 Constitution, including the term extension of some elected officials.
At a Senate hearing, the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) expressed support to Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) No. 5 that seeks to amend Sections 4 and 7 of Article VI (Legislative Department); Section 4 of Article VII (Executive Department); and Section 8 of Article X (Local Government) of the Constitution.
Muntinlupa City Councilor Raul Corro, Chairman for Advocacy and Policy of ULAP, said extending the term of local elected officials will enhance local governance as the current three-year term is “insufficient” to effectively execute programs and projects.
“This limited tenure as a local official poses challenges and hinders the ability of local leaders to make a lasting impact on their communities,” Corro told lawmakers.
“The initial pace of the local elective term is often undertaken by administrative tasks, leaving limited time for implementing minimum pool initiatives. Hence, elected officials need time to settle into their roles, understand the needs of their constituency, and develop comprehensive plans,” said Corro.
The city councilor also said they are pushing to extend the terms to five years as the limit on service bars them from being eligible for retirement benefits of the Government Service Insurance System, which requires at least 15 years of service to qualify.
“The Constitutional term limit is only nine years for our local elective officials including Congressmen. Senators, 12 years lang. Vice President, 12 years lang. Presidente, 6 years lang. Papaano tatanggap ng retirement benefits?” Corro said.
“Kung ito po ay mapapatupad, itugma na natin po. The keyword here is to align to the GSIS requirement of 15 years para makatanggap ng retirement benefits,” he added.
The ULAP is an umbrella organization of all leagues of local government units and locally-elected government officials in the country.
Filed by Senator Robin Padilla, RBH 5 seeks to amend the aforementioned provisions as follows:
- Section 2 of Article. VI: The Senate shall have 54 members. Of these, 24 are elected at large and 30 elected by qualified voters from each legislative region.
- Section 4 of Article VI: Senators elected at large shall have terms of eight years, but shall not serve for more than two consecutive terms; senators elected by region shall have terms of four years, but shall not serve for more than three consecutive terms.
- Section 7 of Article VI: Members of the House of Representatives shall be elected for a term of four years, and shall not serve more than three consecutive terms.
- Section 4 of Art. VII: The President and Vice President shall be elected as joint candidates by direct vote of the people for a term of four years. They shall not be elected for more than two terms. A President who served for two terms shall not be qualified to run for any elective position. Any person who has succeeded the President or Vice President shall only be qualified for one election to the same office at any time.
- Section 8 of Article X: The term of office of elective local officials except barangay officials shall be four years. They shall serve no more than three consecutive terms.
“We support the extension of terms of our local officials because we believe a three-year term appears as a quite short time for them to be effective and be efficient local officials of their respective jurisdiction,” said DILG Assistant Secretary Romeo Benitez.
The Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes suspended the hearing to study the recommendations for the proposed measure. It also said it is “open” on filing a new resolution for the proposed amendments.—RF, GMA Integrated News
