Palace reiterates Duterte not interested to prolong presidency amid call to postpone 2022 national polls

September 28, 2020

President Rodrigo Duterte is not interested to stay longer in office after his term ends in 2022.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque reiterated this on Monday following a call by Pampanga Rep. Mikey Arroyo to postpone the 2022 national election amid the coronavirus pandemic.

"The President is not interested in extending his term," he said in a virtual press briefing.

Roque said that the 2022 polls could be postponed only if the Constitution would be amended.

He explained that the 1987 Constitution specifically provides for the holding of the elections for president, vice president, congressmen and senators and only barangay election could be deferred.

Roque said Duterte leaves it to the Filipino people to decide if they want to amend the Constitution in order to postpone the elections.

He also noted that the Commission on Elections, a constitutional body tasked to supervise the polls, has announced that it might implement a modified form of elections where there would be less physical contact.

"So, under the new normal, under the situation, it appears that the style of campaigning will be changed but the election will push through," he said.

He added that it would be up to the poll body how it would conduct the elections. Celerina Monte/DMS