CHARTER CHANGE | Padilla wants term limits of elected government officials amended

December 14, 2023 , 05:26 PM

By Clarist Zablan

(December 14, 2023) – A neophyte senator on Thursday renewed proposals to amend the 1987 Constitution on term limits of elected officials in both the executive and legislative branches of the government.

Robin Padilla wanted to bring back a four-year term for the president and vice president that can be renewed for another term.

This would effectively extend the maximum term for the president, from six years to eight years.

However, it would reduce the maximum term for the vice president to eight years, who is eligible for re-election under the present charter.

Padilla, who is also the Senate panel chair for constitutional amendments and revision of codes, also proposed the president and the vice president be elected as joint candidates rather than separately.

The resolution also sought an amendment stating that a president can no longer qualify to run for any elective position after serving for two terms.

Padilla, who has been a staunch supporter of charter change in the Upper House, cited a need to “ensure a balance between leadership stability and democratic continuity.”

“A joint candidacy for the President and Vice President provides for an electoral landscape that will shift its emphasis from individual personalities to the unified policy agenda and will foster a more strategic and effective governance,” the resolution read.

The 1987 Constitution currently allows both the president and vice president a six-year term for a maximum of one and two consecutive terms, respectively. Moreover, a person who has served as president for more than four years can no longer seek the presidency.

In the legislative branch, the resolution proposed to expand the membership of the Upper House from 24 senators to 54, of which 30 are elected from each “legislative region” as provided by law. The remaining 24 are still elected by large.

The measure also sought to change the terms of senators to eight years if elected at large, and four years if elected by region. A senator elected at large could only have up to two consecutive terms, while a senator elected by region could have up to three consecutive terms.

Similar to a regional senator, local elective officials were proposed to have terms of four years with up to three consecutive terms.

Padilla sought for the constitutional amendment through securing the affirmative votes from three-fourths of all the members of Congress, with each chamber voting separately.

Padilla’s resolution came after House Speaker Martin Romualdez said the Lower House will revisit discussions on charter change next year, with a focus on amending the economic provisions to “make it more attuned, sensitive and responsive to the times.”

The Lower House passed a resolution of both houses and an implementing bill seeking charter change through a constitutional convention early this year. But the measures stalled in the Upper House where some senators, including administration allies, opposed charter change proposals.

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