Lawmaker seeks term extension for president, other public officials

A resolution has been filed at the House of Representatives seeking constitutional amendments which will allow the president and vice president to seek reelection.

House Resolution No. 1, authored by Pampanga Representative Aurelio Gonzales Jr., seeks to cut the president and vice president's terms to five years but allow one reelection.

Pampanga Rep. Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales Jr files resolution for charter change, including a 5-year term w/ one reelection for the President & VP, as well as tandem voting. @gmanews pic.twitter.com/KLlDsvYfPB

— Tina PanganibanPerez (@tinapperez) July 1, 2022

The measure was filed a day after the inauguration of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte.

Under the 1987 Constitution, a president can only serve for one term of six years and cannot seek reelection.

Gonzales, however, said that the overwhelming victory of Marcos and Duterte who received 31 million and 32 million votes, respectively, was tantamount to people's consent for changing the Charter, including term limits.

"The clear majority mandate from the Filipino people for President Marcos and Vice President Duterte would be the green light from our citizenry to proceed with discussion of charter change," he said.

Gonzales' proposal, on top of allowing reelection for a sitting president, likewise states that people will elect the president and vice president from the same party.

The measure further stated that “any person who has succeeded as president or vice president shall only be qualified for one election to the same office at any time.”

The  bill also sought to "modify" the term of office of members of the House of Representatives, both district and party-list representatives and local executive officials, except senators and barangay elective officials.

Saying the three-year term for a congressman is "very short" amid their "gargantuan" tasks, Gonzales pitched to increase their term of office from three years to five years," but limiting them to only two consecutive five-year terms in office."—Llanesca Panti/AOL/LDF, GMA News