Duterte Aims ‘Major Rewriting’ Of The Philippine Constitution

Duterte Aims ‘Major Rewriting’ Of The 30-Year-Old Philippine Constitution

Presumptive President Rodrigo Duterte plans to have the “major rewriting” of the three-decade-old Philippine Constitution to change it to a federal-parliamentary from of government and to ease foreign ownership restrictions on business.

This is according to Duterte’s spokesperson, Peter Laviña, in a report by ABS-CBN. He also said that Duterte will ask the Congress to “pass a law for the election of members to a constitutional convention that will draft amendments to the charter”. This is said to be done by Duterte within the first six months in office.

The proposed changes are expected to be submitted to a poll in the 2019 mid-term elections and is said to be the first federal elections will probably be held on the end term of Duterte on 2022.

“There will be a major rewriting of the constitution,” Laviña said as quoted in the report.

“We have seen the failure of the presidential form [of government],” he added.

According to Laviña, Duterte is planning to keep national defense, foreign affairs, and customs under the government.

The presumptive President will be pursuing peace with communist rebels and with the Muslims rebels at a high priority.

Laviña said that even Duterte is “friends” with other rebels, this does not mean that he supported the actions done by these groups against the government.

“This will be a golden opportunity…the mayor is close with Muslim rebels and communist rebels,” Laviña said.

Meanwhile, Duterte’s camp had been preparing to the transition of government from current President Aquino.

According to a report on GMA News, there are already committees assigned to do certain tasks.

They are as follows:

• Overall transition committee
• Selection committee
• Policy group
• Inauguration committee

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