Koko Pimentel: Duterte’s term may be extended ‘if really necessary’

Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III said, President Rodrigo Duterte’s six-year term may be extended “if really necessary” during the country's transition to federalism.

Pimentel said on Wednesday, a term extension will “depend on the transitory provisions. Depends too on when we approve the new Constitution. If 2019, then the next three years will be the transitory period,” Pimentel told reporters in a text message.

“We can extend the President's term 1. if really necessary, and 2. if he is amenable to it, and 3. since that extension will be part of the new Constitution, the new Constitution is approved by the people themselves,” he said.

Asked if term extension is one of the goals of Charter change and the shift to federalism, Pimentel only said: “The objective is federalism. That’s all.”

Duterte’s term is set to end in 2022.

Meanwhile, Pimentel dismissed the possibility of a no-election scenario next year. “What is important are the transitory provisions which will govern the terms and duties of those elected in the last election under the 1987 Constitution, We can shift to federalism and allow all scheduled elections under the existing Constitution to go on and be held,” he said.