While the Federal Constitution drafted by the Consultative Committee does not extend the term of President Rodrigo Duterte beyond June 30, 2022, it does not, however, prohibit Duterte from running for President in the first elections under the proposed Federal Constitution on May 2, 2022.

Allowing Duterte to run for President in 2022 gives him the opportunity to virtually extend his term not only for four years but for eight years.

When Duterte ran in 2016, he had a covenant with the people to serve only for one six-year term only.

Considering the vast powers granted to the President as head of the Federal Transition Commission, whose members he is going to appoint, Duterte can assure his transition as the first President of the Federal Republic.

Traditionally and invariably, no transition commission is created because the self-implementing transitory provisions categorically spell out the transition like in the 1935, 1973 and 1987 Constitutions.

EDCEL C. LAGMAN