Duterte VP bid faces constitutional questions

Former Comelec chair Christian Monsod stated that the PDP-Laban's push for President Duterte to run for vice president in 2022 is a way to circumvent the 1987 Philippine Constitution.

Monsod, a framer of the constitution, emphasized that the 'no reelection' clause for presidents was intended to limit the chief executive to a single six-year term.

Presidential spokesman Herminio L. Roque, Jr. countered that the law does not bar President Duterte from running for vice president, stating there is no literal provision prohibiting it.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra previously stated that 'reelection' in law means being elected again to the same office, suggesting the President might be eligible to run for vice president.

Far Eastern University Law Dean Mel Sta Maria countered that the word 'any' in the 'no reelection' clause should refer to both the presidency and vice presidency, as they were mentioned together.

Political analysts express concern that a president under Duterte's influence might step down, allowing him to return to the presidency, potentially serving longer than the previous eight-year maximum term limit.