Pampanga solon wants longer terms for public officials
By Lanz Ethan Galvan
With preparations for the 2022 polls already underway, a resolution pushing for longer terms for national and local officials was proposed citing that the current set-up was too short for incumbents to implement any long-term programs and policies.
The Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) №7, filed by Pampanga 3rd District Representative Aurelio Gonzales Jr, suggests the creation of a Constituent Assembly, composed of members from both chambers of Congress, that would draw up constitutional amendments aimed at extending the terms of office for president, members of the lower house, and local officials for up to 10 years- a five-year term upon election and another five for a succeeding re-election.
Propositions under RBH №7
Included in the RBH №7 is the proposition that presidential and vice-presidential candidates, who are running under the same ticket, will be elected in tandem rather than as separate entities. The bill justified that this will not only strengthen the political party system in the country but also ensure that the top two officials are in sync.
The resolution also proposes amending term limits for members of the lower house to two consecutive five-year terms instead of the currently allowed three consecutive three-year terms in office; arguing that the three year-term for representatives was “too short”.
Gonzales cited that congressmen, especially neophyte congressmen, tended to have a learning curve where they usually feel the policies they need to legislate on their first year, work harder on the second year, and try to get reelected on the third year- making for an inefficient system that results in short-term programs rather than the institution of long-term policies.
Oppositions against RBH №7
Nonetheless, Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Alfredo Garbin, who chairs the committee on constitutional amendments, said that the proposal would certainly be gunned down as it would always be doubted as an effort to perpetuate leaders in power.
Garbin instead encouraged lawmakers to pour their energy on much-needed economic amendments to the constitution which he believed are necessary for the country’s economic recovery.
Meanwhile, political scientist Jean Franco also doubted that any moves to amend the constitution right before the 2022 elections would prosper as it would require not only extensive resources but also focus, the right timing, and thorough consultations to get done.
He further mentioned that the very reason why the public distrusts constitutional amendments was precisely due to the issue of the length of terms which they view as a mere ploy to extend politicians’ hold on power.
Political and constitutional expert Antonio La Viña shared Franco’s sentiments and added that the debating over the proposal during the middle of an election campaign would result in nothing coming out of the debates.
Current constitutional term limits
Framers of the constitution initially designed constitutional term limits to thwart the monopoly of power by one person, specifically the comeback of a Marcos-type president for life rule. Although politicians in the country generally abide by these term limits, they only follow it to the letter of the law and not the spirit where they can either go solo, work in tandem with an ally, or keep it in the family.
A politician who goes the Go solo route simply runs for another position or takes a leave from politics once he/she reaches the limit of allowable terms in office.
On the other hand, working in tandem with an ally comes in two forms: an ally can either fill in for the incumbent and return to post at the end of the term or swap posts with the other after he or she serves the maximum three terms.
As for keeping it in the family, it is regarded as the most common and impactful method by which politicians circumvent constitutional term limits in the Philippines. In this tactic, politicians pass their electoral posts to their relatives or bequeath their old positions to relatives once they get elected to higher office. This, in turn, has promoted political dynasty building as it has allowed political clans and families to consolidate power within a specific locality.
All-in-all, the issue of term limits is nothing new as it has long been a divisive issue that has been raised administration after administration. However, the solution to improving the effectiveness of congress and the government-at-large may not lie at extending politicians’ terms in office but on curbing the corruptive influence of political dynasties and special interests that prevent genuine policymaking, discussion, and consensus-building for the people.
