By Addison Pascua

PHOTO: Mayor Sara Duterte

Given their high ranking in pre-election surveys, an official of the Lakas-CMD political party hoisted the idea of a possible presidential term-sharing between Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio and former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

In an interview with TeleRadyo Thursday night, Lakas-CMD co-chairman and Quezon Governor Danilo Suarez claimed that the term-sharing idea can be considered following the recent move of Duterte-Carpio to join the party which ignited speculations of a national run.

“Pwedeng mag-term share sila. One will lead for three years, give way to the vice president. So igi-give up na niya, wala na siya after three years,” Suarez suggested.

The official, however, clarified that this is only his “personal opinion” and is something that remains an option for the party.

“It’s just an opinion, personal opinion ko na kung nahihirapan talaga ang partido kung sino ang kukuhanin, that’s possible. I mean in other countries that’s being done,” Suarez explained.

Earlier, Duterte-Carpio joined the Lakas-CMD national party after she dropped her reelection bid and resigned from her regional party Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP), a move that enables her to run for a national position.


‘I am running for president’

Marcos Jr., on the other hand, said he is not amenable to share the presidency with Duterte-Carpio or with anyone else, emphasizing that the Constitution has to be amended to make this happen.

The presidential aspirant, who is yet to reveal his running mate for next year’s elections, said he will not pull out from the presidential race.

“I’m running for president full stop… I cannot answer for other people, what their plans are, what PDP will do, I can only answer for myself and my answer is I am running for president,” Marcos said.

“If the policies of the country change every three years even maybe not all, even if some, then there is no stability and that’s my problem with that,” he added.

For the record, the Constitution does not provide any rules for presidential term-sharing. However, according to former justice secretary and election law professor Atty. Alberto Agra, a term-sharing agreement will only be possible if the president decides to leave their post so the vice president will take over the position.

"Sa usapin ng term-sharing, president, vice president, ’yung isa nahalal as president, ’yung isa nahalal as vice-president, hindi sila pwedeng mag-switching kasi nahalal sila para sa isang posisyon. Maliban na lamang na kung sino ’yung presidente, at magreresign, ang epekto noon, si vice president ang papalit sa kanya as president," Agra expounded.


Report sources: ABS-CBN News, Rappler

DISCLAIMER