By Kaela Patricia Gabriel

PHOTO: Presidential Photos

"Filipino people will see this as a selfish move, nothing up to the benefit of the people but only to perpetuate power to one family." 

That is what 1sambayan has to say towards the possible Sara-Rodrigo Duterte tandem for the 2022 elections as this is a political dynasty on a national level, violating Constitutional terms. 

1sambayan Convenor, Atty. Howard Calleja, once again reiterated in an interview that the Duterte-Duterte tandem is a mockery of the Philippine Constitution, a reason for the Filipino people to reject the tandem.

"It goes against the letter, intent, and the spirit of the Constitution. And not only that, it also violates — especially if Mayor Sara will run as well. The basic constitutional prohibition against political dynasty to the very hill because it is a dynasty to the national level," Calleja told ANC.

"The Davao formula might have worked in the local arena or the local politics [but] I doubt if it will work in the national politics," Calleja added.

If the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino - Lakas ng Bayan (PDP Laban) resorts to the Duterte-Duterte tandem for the 2022 polls, Calleja also stated this is a manifestation that the said partylist do not have anyone else as the best option to represent the party.

"We are 110 million Filipinos, wala na bang iba? Ang ibig lang sabihin nito, ang PDP Laban, wala na silang ibang maihaharap sa Pilipino. Ibig sabihin nito ang kanilang resources, kanilang naiisip, ang kanilang plataporma eh 'yon pa rin pong palpak na plataporma, palpak na gobyerno na binigay nitong last five years," Calleja said.

The 1sambayan convenor also emphasized that a president's role based on the Constitution is to replace the president, which meant if the tandem wins, there is a possibility of President Duterte replacing his daughter death, disability, or resignation, bypassing the limit of term a president may have instilled by the Constitution.

It is also written in the Article II, Section 26 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution that “the state shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service, and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law.”

Calleja later on added 1sambayan aims for a 'roadmap to recovery from the pandemic' in terms of economy and politics to protect the Filipino people rather than the Chinese interest.

1sambayan is a newly-formed opposition coalition composed of several convenors, both lawyers and former department secretaries of the country to counter the current administration in the 2022 elections.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque previously defended the tandem against the claims that it is unconstitutional through saying there is no enabling law that prohibits political dynasties.


Report source: ABS-CBN News Channel