MANILA — Malacañang on Tuesday reiterated that President Rodrigo R. Duterte is dead set on stepping down from his post once the government has a working federal system in place by 2020.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque made this remark after former chief justice Reynato Puno said that a term extension for Duterte cannot happen should the Philippines push for federalism.
“By the time we have shifted to a federal form of government, a new president will be voted,” Puno said in a press conference Monday.
Puno, chair of the Consultative Committee (ConCom) to review the 1987 Constitution, made the remark amid concerns of opposition lawmakers and critics that the shift to federalism would mean extension for Duterte beyond the end of his term in 2022.
“The President has expressed that he has no intention of staying a minute longer than what the term of the President provides under our Constitution,” Roque said in a statement.
“The President has even stated that he would step down from the presidency earlier, should the Philippines shift to a federal system of government as early as 2020,” he added.
In his various speeches, the Chief Executive has mentioned several times that he wanted to leave office early, citing his old age.
The President will be turning 73 on March 28.
Roque earlier said the President would also celebrate his birthday in his hometown, Davao City. (Azer Parrocha/PNA)
