Puno: Federal gov’t won’t extend Du30 term

Former chief justice Reynato Puno (pictured), head of the committee tasked to draft the Federal Charter, says President Rodrigo Duterte cannot be given an extended term even if the Philippines shifts to a federal system of government. PRESIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS

MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte’s term cannot extend beyond 2022 even if the Philippines shifts to a federal system of government, according to the body tasked to draft the Federal Charter.

Reynato Puno, head of the Duterte-formed Consultative Committee, said Duterte was elected under the 1987 Constitution, under which the six-year presidential term may not be extended.

“He (Duterte) is still governed by its (1987 Constitution) term limits even if the country had already federalized,” said Puno, a former Supreme Court chief justice.

“By 2022 we should have already federalized. Meaning, we will no longer have a unitary government,” Puno said.

“We’ll have a federal government and the powers of the government have already been allocated both to the federal government, the states and the constituent units,” he added.

Puno also assured that they will not create or allow a provision in the Federal Charter that will extend the terms of public officials.

“There will be no holdover provision. By the time we have already shifted to a federal form, a new president will be voted,” Puno said. “As of now the prohibitions and term limits under the 1987 Constitution would still be binding.”

The Consultative Committee deliberated on the draft Federal Charter on Monday. Deliberations will resume on the first week of April.

ENVIRONMENTAL RIGHTS

Meanwhile Puno said they were also pushing to include environmental rights in the Bill of Rights of the Federal Charter.

“It is high time that we constitutionalize this provision and the right of people to a healthful environment. We intend to do this by putting in all these self-executing provisions in the Bill of Rights,” he said.

Puno added: “The government will be putting environmental rights in equal footing with civil and political rights. Citizens may seek refuge in the courts anytime for their protection and for the enforcement of such rights.”

A subcommittee of the Consultative Committee proposed the following rights to be included in the draft Federal Charter:

* Right to clean air and clean water

* Right to a healthy environment and ecology

* Right to be protected from activities that destroy the environment

* Right to sustainable development

* Right to compensation for damage to environment

* Recourse to courts for immediate protection

A stronger writ of kalikasan was also proposed to be included in the Bill of Rights so it may not be subject to withdrawal or revision by Congress or the Supreme Court.

The Consultative Committee is expected to present to Duterte its proposals on the Federal Charter after six months.

The President will then submit it to Congress, which may either affirm or reject the recommendations./PN

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