Philippine Congress starts debate that may extend Duterte term
2018-01-17 09:19:53 source：Straitstimes
January 16, 2018
MANILA (AFP) - Philippine lawmakers on Tuesday (Jan 16) began formal proceedings on changing the government into a federal system that could allow President Rodrigo Duterte to stay in office for more than a decade.
The proposed shift from a unitary system would give the next president two five-year terms and strong federal powers over a nation that would be divided into five federal states, congressional leader Roger Mercado said.
Although the proposed charter calls for a federal, parliamentary system with the prime minister as head of government, the president would still have vast powers, Mr Mercado, a member of Mr Duterte's ruling coalition, said.
"The president will have oversight power over all branches of government," including Parliament and the courts, Mr Mercado, the House of Representatives constitutional amendments committee chairman, said at a public hearing.
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