Draft constitution proposes giving Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte sweeping powers that could let him rule indefinitely
Duterte has said that he would not seek a second term under a new constitution
The draft of a new Philippines constitution that was to be submitted to President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday would grant him sweeping new powers, including rule by decree, a member of the drafting committee said.
Such powers could allow Duterte to stay in power indefinitely, just as late strongman Ferdinand Marcos did, a separate constitutional expert said.
However, Duterte’s spokesman said the president wants a new leader elected before the change to cut short his presidency.
Aquilino Pimentel Jnr, a member of the 22-member drafting panel, confirmed Duterte was being given decree-making powers.
Initially, he said such powers were different from those wielded by Marcos “because we are not under martial law” and “it is only during the transition period” that Duterte could exercise these powers.
However, when reminded that Marcos had used his decree-making powers to extend his term indefinitely and legitimise this with a new constitution, Pimentel replied: “That’s not good. We overlooked that. I agree with you [that the term ‘decree’ has vast implications]. That’s not good.”
Constitutional expert Christian Monsod, who is critical of the draft, pointed specifically to Article XXII of the document, on “Transitory Provisions”.