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Attendees of a Feb.25, 2024 gathering light candles as religious leaders say prayers for the country. The event, billed as a prayer rally, featured former President Rodrigo Duterte, his son Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte, and his political allies.

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Cebu City 'prayer rally'

Annie Perez

ABS-CBN News

<p>CEBU CITY — Former President Rodrigo Duterte, speaking at what was billed as a prayer rally on Sunday night, warned against attempts to change the 1987 Constitution that he said could be used to extend term limits.</p><div><br/></div><p>The rally organized by the Cebu Coalition for Transparency, Accountability, Peace and Security coincided with the 38th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution, an occasion that saw protests against charter change in areas across the country.</p><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/2/25/groups-call-for-vigilance-vs-push-for-charter-change-2059">IN PHOTOS: Groups call for vigilance vs push for charter change</a></div><div><br/></div><p>Organizers called on Cebuanos to &quot;stand for the truth&quot; and to protect the Constitution.&quot;</p><div><br/></div><p>  In his speech, Duterte said politicians should not revise the Constitution to extend their stay in power, a concern that has been raised each time an administration pushes for charter change.  </p><div><br/></div><p>&quot;Komportable na ta sa unom ka tuig, one term. Let us stick to that. (We are comfortable with 6 years, 1 term),&quot; said Duterte, referring to the single 6-year term that the current charter allows presidents to have.</p><div><br/></div><p>Duterte added that relaxing economic provisions to attract foreign investors is not enough reason for charter change. </p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ak-r5r5AhFY?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div><p>&quot;I would support any changes in the Constitution that would enhance, improve and make the Filipinos happy,&quot; Duterte, who tried to amend the Constitution towards federalism when he was president, said.</p><div><br/></div><p>He said, however, that proposed changes should not be influenced by self-interest.</p><div><br/></div><p>Duterte said he sees the People&#x27;s Initiative campaign as an attempt by Congress to keep the administration in power.</p><div><br/></div><p>Both chambers of Congress have filed resolutions limiting constitutional changes to the economic provisions, but opponents of charter change — including former Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio — have warned that a constituent assembly could still decide to tinker with political provisions once convened.</p><div><br/></div><p>President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has said that charter change will be limited to the economic provisions, saying amendments will be on &quot;economic matters alone, or those strategically aimed at boosting our country&#x27;s economy — nothing more.&quot;</p><div><br/></div><p>Duterte, Vice President Sara Duterte&#x27;s father, said Sunday:   &quot;When there is a time limit, stick to it. Para wala’y samok. (So there is no chaos).&quot;</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>DAVAO MAYOR HITS MARCOS, ROMUALDEZ</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>For Duterte&#x27;s son, Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte, the issue goes beyond the People’s Initiative. </p><div><br/></div><p>Mayor Duterte, who previously called on Marcos to resign, said the current administration is incapable of running the country.  </p><div><br/></div><p>&quot;Ngano di man nimo kaya tarungon? (Why can’t you fix it?),&quot; he said.  </p><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/01/28/24/baste-duterte-to-marcos-jr-resign-if-you-do-not-have-love-for-country">RELATED: Baste Duterte to Marcos Jr.: &#x27;Resign if you do not have love for country&#x27;</a></div><div><br/></div><p>The younger Duterte also called out the President for not speaking up on issues, claiming that House Speaker Martin Romualdez has been speaking on his behalf.</p><div><br/></div><p> &quot;Hagiton tika. Hatag og ayuda nga wa imong ngan, nga wa imong nawong. Ayaw pangilad og mga tao. (I challenge you to give relief goods without your name and your face. Don’t fool the people),&quot; Mayor Duterte said in comments ditected at Romualdez, President Marcos&#x27; cousin.</p><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/1/30/speaker-romualdez-says-role-in-people-s-initiative-purely-advisory-321">READ: Speaker Romualdez says role in People&#x27;s Initiative purely advisory</a></div><div><br/></div><p>&quot;Kahibaw mo unsa’y pinakakataw-anan ani tanan? Ibakak nimo ang tag-20 nga bugas. Scam na. (You know what is most funny about this. You lied about P20 per kilo of rice. It is a scam),&quot; Mayor Duterte also said in front of a crowd that organizers said reached 30,000.  </p><div><br/></div><p>Former Duterte spokesperson Harry Roque and Marcos&#x27; former executive secretary, Vic Rodriguez, also spoke to the crowd.  </p><div><br/></div><p>Representatives from different denominations said their prayers for the country while the crowd lit candles.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AdQB6CJsFdA?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p> Duterte said politicians should not revise the Constitution to extend their stay in power, a concern that has been raised each time an administration pushes for charter change. </p>

Duterte said politicians should not revise the Constitution to extend their stay in power, a concern that has been raised each time an administration pushes for charter change.

Charter change being used for term extension, Duterte warns

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Charter change being used for term extension, Duterte warns

Annie Perez,

ABS-CBN News

Published Feb 26, 2024 11:14 AM PHT

Read More:

Charter Change

1987 Constitution

People's Initiative

Rodrigo Duterte

Sebastian Duterte

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