Arroyo not supporting no-election scenario, term extension of elected officials

July 27, 2018

Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Friday rejected a no-election scenario and term extension of elected officials in pushing for President Rodrigo Duterte’s federalism.

“No (I am not supporting no-el) definitely I am not supporting term extension,” Arroyo told reporters in an ambush interview during relief operations for at least 1,000 residents affected by floods in Dinalupihan, Bataan.

Arroyo's predecessor, Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez was proposing for term extensions and the suspension of the 2019 mid-term elections posedly to give lawmakers more time to prepare for the shift to federalism.

Arroyo also branded as “black propaganda” allegations she has been eyeing the post of prime minister under the proposed Charter change transforming the present unitary system to a federalist type of government.

“Look, to begin with the proposed Constitution is presidential federal isn’t it? So that’s black propaganda,” Arroyo said.

“I have not seen it because I have not seen the committee report but the Constitutional Commission given by the President with the mandate to draft (the Constitution) is presidential,” said Arroyo.

Southern Leyte Rep. Roger Mercado, who chairs the House committee on constitutional amendments, moved to Monday next week from last  Wednesday the hearing on the draft federal Constitution submitted by the Consultative Committee (Con-Com). DMS