By Leslie Ann G. Aquino
A poll lawyer has said that any extension of the terms of President Duterte and lawmakers due to the shift to a federal form of government will also benefit Vice President Leni Robredo as her term will also be extended.
In a statement, Atty. Romulo Macalintal said the idea being floated by administration allies to extend Duterte’s term cannot be a one-sided affair solely for their own benefit.
“What is sauce for the gander should also be sauce for the goose,” Macalintal said, stressing that he is issuing the statement not as lawyer of Robredo but solely as his own personal opinion on the issue.
“Thus, if they extend the term of office of Duterte by amending the Constitution and shifting to a federal form of government, there should also be a corresponding provision that the term of office of Robredo is automatically extended,” Macalintal added.
For sure, he said, Duterte would not agree to any such amendment or revision of the Constitution that is obviously too discriminatory and one-sided, if not totally self-serving and inequitable.
Macalintal cited the statement of Duterte that he will resign once the country shifted to a federal form of government.
According to the poll lawyer, the extension of the terms of the President, Vice President, and the lawmakers could be provided in the transitory provision of the amended Constitution cancelling the 2019 mid-term elections and providing for the period and manner of electing the President and the Vice President.