VERA FILES FACT CHECK: Duterte flip-flops anew on Charter change

More than a month after saying that the 1987 Constitution is “in perfect condition” and sees no reason to have it amended, former president Rodrigo Duterte now says he supports current efforts to amend it for as long as the changes would not benefit the incumbents and the set of leaders who would be elected in the next election.

STATEMENT

Speaking at a prayer rally at the Kasadya SRP Grounds in Cebu City on Feb. 25, Duterte said:

“Ako, magsuportar… changes in the Constitution… economic provisions, whatever… Even in the terms sa tanang chapter diha, apil na ang kanang termino sa president… Okay ko basta dili mo pabor sa galingkod karon ug sa sunod na eleksyon.”

(I do support… changes in the Constitution… economic provisions, whatever… Even in the terms of all the chapters there, including the term of the president. I’m okay with that for as long as that doesn’t favor the incumbent and the one succeeding in the next election.)

Source: DZAR 1026, FULL COVERAGE: Candlelight Prayer Rally sa Cebu City, Feb. 25, 2024, watch from 5:40:00 to 5:40:32

FACT

In a press conference in Davao City on Jan. 6, Duterte expressed his disapproval of Charter change. He said:

“Hindi ako sang-ayon. We have a good Constitution. There is absolutely… I find it in perfect condition; absolutely nothing wrong with it.”

Source: Broadcaster Dennis R. Lazo, Former President Rodrigo Duterte Meet the Press – Grand Men Seng Hotel, Davao City, Jan. 6, 2024, watch from 27:16 to 27:37

Duterte said in another press conference in Davao City on Jan. 31 that the current efforts to amend the Constitution “is a mechanism for perpetuation of power.” He explained:

“Alam mo kasi the purpose of this constitutional change, it’s not for anything. It’s not even for parliament or the essence of [the] presidential type. It’s a mechanism for perpetuation of power.”

Source: One News PH, RECORDED EARLIER: FORMER PRESIDENT RODRIGO DUTERTE’S PRESS CONFERENCE IN DAVAO CITY, Jan. 31, 2024, watch from 28:48 to 28:54

(Read VERA FILES FACT CHECK: Rodrigo Duterte ayaw na sa Cha-cha? and VERA FILES FACT CHECK: From denying hand in destab efforts vs Marcos, Duterte now calls on AFP and PNP to thwart Cha-cha moves)

BACKSTORY

From his presidential campaign in 2016 until his term ended in 2022, Duterte wanted to revise the 1987 Constitution and transform the country’s system of government from presidential to federal as a means to achieve peace in Mindanao.

He created a consultative committee which finalized a draft constitution in 2018. However, he was unsuccessful in rallying support from Congress and the public for a shift to federalism.

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Sources

Broadcaster Dennis R. Lazo, Former President Rodrigo Duterte Meet the Press – Grand Men Seng Hotel, Davao City, Jan. 6, 2024

One News PH, RECORDED EARLIER: FORMER PRESIDENT RODRIGO DUTERTE’S PRESS CONFERENCE IN DAVAO CITY, Jan. 31, 2024

ABS-CBN News, Duterte: Federalism is key to peace in Mindanao, Nov. 30, 2015

On Duterte giving up on federalism

GMA News Online, Duterte: If you don’t want federalism, fine, June 25, 2019
PNA, PRRD won’t insist on federalism but still wants Cha-cha, June 26, 2019
The Philippine Star, Federalism may not gain support – Duterte, June 26, 2019

(Guided by the code of principles of the International Fact-Checking Network at Poynter, VERA Files tracks the false claims, flip-flops, misleading statements of public officials and figures, and debunks them with factual evidence. Find out more about this initiative and our methodology.)