MANILA (UCAN): “I am sure there is no discernment in his decision. This is a power play to benefit [Philippine president, Rodrigo] Duterte’s personal interests. Let the people turn him down,” said Bishop Teodoro Bacani, retired bishop of Novaliches and one of the drafters of the Philippine’s 1987 constitution, commenting on the president’s plan to run for vice-president in next year’s elections.
Speaking to Radio Veritas on August 26, Bishop Bacani questioned how a “bully” like Duterte got elected in the first place. “How can we elect any such bully to office?” he wondered, adding that Duterte has no place in public office because of his propensity to inflict harm and violence on others.
“He may have done good things after five years as president but all of them may be discarded because of his failures in fighting corruption and his war on illegal drugs. How many killings have happened under his watch?” the bishop asked.
Bishop Bacani pointed out that Duterte would violate the spirit of presidential succession if he was elected vice-president, referring to a provision which states that a president can only serve one six-year term.
“If elected, he would have to succeed the president in case the president dies, resigns or is impeached. So, Duterte could be president twice. One has to look for the spirit of the law here, not merely its letters,” the bishop stressed.
Duterte’s critics fear his running mate and close aide, the senator, Christopher “Bong” Go, would be a puppet president or even step aside and allow Duterte to take office again.
“Duterte made [Go] a senator. Now Duterte is trying to make him president as his running mate. It will be as if Duterte will still be president,” said Jobel Jasmin, a Manila resident.
Jasmin said the Church needed to speak out more and warn Filipino voters “to avoid another six years of disaster.”
He said, “We keep on saying we deserve a better government. But what have we done to achieve this? Now is the time to make it happen. Listen to Bishop Bacani and may more bishops speak out.”
