(Eagle News) — Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez on Monday, July 23, proposed for the removal of term limits for elected government officials in order to supposedly address the issue of political dynasties.
“I have also made it clear, based on my personal studies and consultation with peers, that political dynasties proliferated because of the unintended effects of imposing term-limits. Let’s push for the self- executory anti-political dynasty provision – para rin wala nang pipilitin sa pamilya tumakbo kahit ayaw naman talaga – but I propose that term limits be removed,” he said in a speech at the start of the third regular session of the House of Representatives.
He also noted that the position of some that the problems besetting the country were due to “bad people,” while saying that Charters were “inconsequential” was “untenable.”
“..To miss the bigger picture and fail to understand the role that institutions play in the puzzle of prosperity and development for our nation will seal our fate and preserve mediocrity as status quo. We have to do something about this,” he added.
Congressmen are slated to be joined by their counterparts in the Senate in time for President Rodrigo Duterte’s State of the Nation Address today.
There are rumors Alvarez would be replaced by Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo during the House session, which is at press time, suspended.
Rumor has it it was Davao Mayor Sara Duterte who pushed for the change in leadership, following her word war with Alvarez over her establishment of a regional party.
Alvarez called the Davao mayor a member of the opposition, but she said the move had President Duterte’s blessing.