Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte again claimed that he rejects any extension of his term as chief executive, even if it were given to him “on a silver platter.”

“Term extension, my god,” he said on Thursday, January 14, during the inauguration of the Skyway 3 in Quezon City.

“Maski ibigay mo sa akin on a silver platter, maski ibigay mo sa akin libre, another 10 years, sabihin ko sa inyo, ‘Putang ina mo, iyo na lang ‘yan.’ Tapos na ako,” he continued.

(Even if you give it to me on a silver platter, even if you give it to me for free, another 10 years, I’ll tell you, “Son of a bitch, it’s all yours.” I’m done.)

‘Wala na ako sa mundong ito’

In another part of his speech, he made a curious statement about not being around in the next few years, which includes the election year 2022.

“I’m asking it on behalf of the Filipino people. Hindi para sa akin. Matanda na ako. In 3 to 5 years, wala na ako sa mundong ito,” said Duterte, referring to his wish for future leaders of the country to eliminate corruption.

(I’m asking it on behalf of the Filipino people. It’s not for me. I’m old. In 3 to 5 years, I will be gone from this world.)

He did not elaborate.

Charter change moves

Duterte’s rejection of term extension for himself comes as his allies in Congress, especially House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco, move to initiate amendments to the 1987 Constitution.

Velasco was present in the inauguration Duterte was speaking at.

While House lawmakers say Velasco only wants amendments to economic provisions in the Constitution that limit foreign ownership of corporations, political observers say any move to change the charter could open up a floodgate of other amendments. – Rappler.com