Duterte blasts Marcos over cha-cha anew, says term-extension unacceptable

THE apparent clash between President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., and former President Rodrigo Duterte is far from over as the latter this time spoke against the former, saying acts to amend the constitution are just efforts by some quarters to extend the term of officials especially the presidency.

Duterte made the reaction in Tagum City, Davao del Norte, where he again blasted his successor’s administration and efforts for Charter Change.

The former president connected it to the efforts to extend term limits.

Duterte even read parts of the Constitution which mentioned that the term limits of the president and vice president are both only six years.

“[H]indi kaaya-aya na ang isang tao, ang isang administrasyon, gagawa ng paraan ulit para ulitin, tanggalin ang anim na taon at gustong dagdagan kasi dito one term, six years only. Kaya gumawa sila ng bagong constitution, yun ang tinawag na Cha-cha, constitutional change,” he said.

Duterte also reminded President Marcos Jr. of what happened to his father during the 1986 Edsa People Power Revolution.

“Mr. President, be happy and finish your term for six years. Makontento ka na diyan at binigyan ka ng panahon ng Panginoong Diyos na makapagsilbi sa ating bayan as president, despite or in spite of the fact ng history ninyo pagbaba ng tatay mo, hindi maganda, and yet ang Pilipino binigyan kayo ng pag-intindi. Pinatawad kayo,” he said.

Marcos had time and time again said that only economic provisions will be amended in the constitution and that term limits will not be touched.

“I want to make it clear. This Administration’s position in introducing reforms to our Constitution extends to economic matters alone, or those strategically aimed at boosting our country’s economy. Nothing more,” he said in February.