Roque: If people want Duterte to stay until 2022, they will reject federal constitution

It will still depend on the people whether​ or not to grant President Duterte’s wish to retire or “resign” by 2019, immediately after the ratification of the new federal constitution and the election of a younger transition president.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque the President’s “decision​” to quit is subject to the ​plebiscite on the proposed federal constitution.

“Malay mo ayaw ng taongbayan dahil ayaw mag resign sya,” he commented.

“If the people don’t want to get rid of him, they will reject the federal constitution (then it’s a no-go),” Roque said.

“But I think he means it when he said that he will take all steps necessary to convince the people to change to a federal form of government and as a way of assuring them na hindi sya kapit tuko sa pwesto yun na nga in assure nya na bababa na sya sa pwesto pag na approve na ang bagong Saligang Batas,” he said.

“That’s what he said. In fact he specified na, well I guess he’s assuming na ma-approve ang Saligang Batas sa 2019, so he’s willing to step down in 2019,” Roque further said.

The President, through Roque, announced that he has instructed the consultative committee that drafted the proposed federal constitution to include a new provision calling for the election of a transitional president immediately after the approval of the new Charter.

“I am willing to cut my term to be co-terminus with the start of transition period. (The) committee agreed. This is to remove all suspicions (that I’m saying longer in power) and (also because) I am tired. (I am) ready to give it to somebody else,” Roque said in his​ ​Twitter account.

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