MANILA: Charter change advocate and Caloocan City Rep Edgar Erice would propose in a resolution that he would file this month to set the term of the president and vice president at four years with one opportunity for reelection.
He would also propose to set the term of senators, congressmen and local officials at four years with a maximum of three terms. Erice said if the resolution would be passed and approved in a plebiscite, winners in the 2016 elections would start their four-year terms, which means senators whose terms expire in 2019 would have their term extended for a year.
The next elections, in Erice’s proposal, would be in 2020. He also suggested that a provision against political turncoatism be included in the amendments to the Constitution, as well as a provision to compel Congress to enact an anti-political dynasty law within six months after the amendments are approved.
Erice also dismissed assertions from his senior colleagues in the Liberal Party (LP) that his campaign to amend the political provisions of the Constitution to allow President Benigno Aquino to seek another term would not succeed in the House of Representatives.
Erice, one of the few LP lawmakers openly pushing for an extension of Aquino’s term, said he was unfazed by the prediction of his party-mates. “Let’s see, anything can happen. You can never tell in politics, anyway, I’m just one member of the House,” Erice said.
He noted that based on his initial consultations with his constituents, about 60 percent are in favour of another term for Aquino. “There’s no campaign yet for lifting of term limits, but many are in favour. Some are in favor but don’t want the Constitution to be amended,” he added.
Erice suggested that Malacañang commission a survey to gauge the public opinion on Aquino’s statement on Wednesday that he’s open to seeking a second term. Commissioning a poll, however, is expensive so he might seek the help of some of his friends so he may be able to commission one.
He also said he would monitor the turnout of the protest rally expected on August 25 whether the opposition to extending Aquino’s term is widespread or not.
The Philippine star
