'Institutionalize' Duterte vow to step down in 2022 in new charter, framers urged

MANILA, Philippines — Officials who will draft a new federal constitution must "institutionalize" President Rodrigo Duterte's promise to cede power early by barring him from re-election to dispel fears that the proposed charter change would extend his term, an expert said Tuesday.

"The statement of President Duterte that he would step down in 2022... is as good as his campaign promise to ride a jet ski to the Spratlys," University of the Philippines Political Science professor Gene Lacza Pilapil told a Senate hearing.

The switch to a federal system was one of the key planks of Duterte's election campaign, along with his deadly war on drugs.

The country currently employs a unitary form of government, with much of the power emerging from Manila although many functions have been devolved to local governments.

Under the proposed federal charter by a House subcommittee, the president of the Philippines will be elected by direct vote for a term of five years. Presidents can stand for one re-election.

However, Pilapil pointed out that such a proposal could lead to one-man rule, noting that changing constitutions is a classic strategy of democratically-elected autocratic leaders to "undermine their own democracies."

"With all these immense powers and since this new constitution does not bar him to run, he (Duterte) would therefore be in a perfect position to run in 2022, giving him an unbelievable headstart against any oppositions in the next presidential elections," Pilapil said.

Attempts to amend the 1987 Constitution have generated mixed reactions from people, with critics accusing third-term House members of trying to extend their stay in power, or of seeking to prolong Duterte's single six-year term.

But Duterte has repeatedly said he would prefer to retire earlier.

Citing the firebrand leader's popularity and his allies dominating Congress, experts believe Duterte may succeed in overhauling the 1987 Constitution, which has established safeguards against a repeat of dictatorship.

'Ban Duterte'

For Pilapil, those who are tasked with writing the new charter must insert a provision to block incumbent chief executives from seeking re-election.

He also warned about the possible cancellation of midterm elections in 2019 if proposed constitutional amendments are brought to a plebiscite this year. He said such a scenario floated by Duterte's allies is a "power grab" that could hurt the nation's democracy.

"Institutionalize his promise to step down by constitutionally barring him to run in your proposed federal constitution. Ban Duterte, defend democracy," the Political Science professor said.

"Write down a provision banning the incumbent president to allay the valid fears of many Filipinos that this shift to federalism is part of the same script of the current president and his key allies to remain in power," he added.

The issue of amending the constitution is a sensitive topic in the Philippines, a country once ruled by a dictator.

A move to amend the charter during President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's term was met with protests and subsequently failed as concerns that it was intended to extend her term loomed.