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Duterte vows to only stay within the limit of his term

President Rodrigo Duterte last Friday, Oct. 20, assured the public anew that he has no plans to extend his term as president, despite critics’ claims that he intends to set up a revolutionary government to stay in power after six years.

“On the dot ako. On the last day of my term, o earlier than that, I’ll step down,” Duterte vowed during his speech at a Cebu Pacific event in Misamis Oriental.

Even during his stint as the Davao Mayor, he has never exceeded even a day in office, Duterte shared, “Days before, umaalis na ako. Ini-install ko na yung Vice Mayor, [sinasabi ko] ‘You can run the city. I am on my way out.’”

Duterte was first installed as the Davao Mayor in 1988, was re-elected several times, and held the position for more than two decades. He served as a congressman of Davao City from 1998 to 2001, and the vice mayor to his daughter Sara from 2010 to 2013, Inquirer.net reported.

In an interview broadcasted on state-run PTV4 on Oct 13, Duterte mentioned that he might declare a revolutionary government if the alleged destabilization efforts against the current administration worsen.

“Pag ang destabilization ninyo patagilid na and medyo magulo na, I will not hesitate to declare a revolutionary government until the end of my term, and I will arrest all of you,” he warned critics during the interview.

The threat drew criticisms from various organizations such as cause-oriented groups Tindig-Pilipinas and Movement Against Tyranny.

“Only a paranoid and insecure little man afraid of losing power will rationalize the need to impose a revolutionary government upon the people,” Tindig-Pilipinas said in a statement.

“He plays his ultimate power game–the threat to annihilate our democracy. He is playing for survival,” the group added.

Movement Against Tyranny issued a similar dissenting statement, saying: “[The group] denounces Duterte’s so-called ‘revolutionary government’ as nothing less than the usurpation of all powers to impose one-man rule and trample on the people’s democratic rights.”

However, Duterte clarified that he will only set up a revolutionary government if the country is “overwhelmed by the forces of the enemy”–enemies being: terrorists, rebels, and fronts.

“I will serve during my time. [Pero] kung sabihin mo, mag-ambisyon ako ng [mas matagal na termino]– You must be crazy,” he said.

Source: Presidential Communications Operations Office,  Inquirer.net, SunStar Cebu

Photo credit: Presidential Communications Operations Office

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