President Noynoys Term Extension

President Benigno S. Aquino III, a.k.a Noynoy, a.k.a. Pnoy was

elected president as the 15th president of the Republic of the Philippines,
perhaps owing to the soaring sympathy of the masses over his mothers
death, former president Cory Aquino before the elections1, the later
being an icon of the philippine democracy.

On June 9, 2010 he was proclamed president of the republic. Since

his proclamation it has been more or less 4 years. Leaving him only to
remaining years to serve his full term since according to the Philippine
Constitution:
Section 4, Article VII. The President and the Vice-President shall be
elected by direct vote of the people for a term of six years which shall
begin at noon on the thirtieth day of June next following the day of the
election and shall end at noon of the same date, six years thereafter. The
President shall not be eligible for any re-election...2

However, there are some, according to the (news) media who

believe that it is the publics clamor that his term of six years is not
enough, hence should be extended as expressed by Budget Secretary
Butch Abad, that the moves for Mr. Aquinos term extension is certainly

Santos, Reynaldo.

Aquino heavily criticized for plans to extend his term.

http://www.mb.com.ph/aquino-heavily-criticized-for-plans-to-extend-his-term/. 14 August 2014.
Web. 8 October 2014.
2
Section 4, Article VII of the 1987 Constitution

another strong affirmation of the unprecedented positive changes that

our country has experienced the past four years.3

On the other hand there are those shun the thought of Noynoy
extending his term saying that Aquinos move to perpetuate himself in
power ... is clearly a take from the dictatorial regime of the late President
Ferdinand E. Marcos, a staunch foe of Aquinos mother and father, the
late Sen. Benigno Aquino.4

Although the Constitution explicitly prohibits a president from

extending his term beyond 6 years by re-election, it is still possible that a
President of The Republic could extend his term through ammendment
of the Constitution.5

The question is, should he be allowed to extend his term? History

has time and again taught us the consequences when the President
remains in the seat of power too long. The dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos
ruled the Philippines for 20 years, from 1966 to 1986.6 Former President
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was also in power for 10 years.7 The
achievements of both presidencies were overshadowed by a myriad of
corruption and human rights violations.
3

Delavin, Imee Charlee C. . Impossible to stay mum on term extension.

http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=Nation&title=&145impossible&8217-to-stay-mumon-term-extension&id=95338 . 30 September 2014. Web. 8 October 2014.
4
Rosario, Ben. Aquino heavily criticized for plans to extend his term. http://www.mb.com.ph/aquinoheavily-criticized-for-plans-to-extend-his-term/. 14 August 2014. Web. 8 October 2014.
5
Esguerra, Christian V. Theres still time for Charter change.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/638430/theres-time-to-amend-charter-if-i-decide-to-seek-re-electionaquino . 17 September 2014. Web. 2 Ocotber 2014.
6
"Ferninand Edralin Marcos." Bio. A&E Television Networks, 2014. Web. 08 Oct. 2014.
7
"Gloria Macapagal Arroyo." Bio. A&E Television Networks, 2014. Web. 08 Oct. 2014.

It is said that "Those Who Do Not Learn History Are Doomed To

Repeat It." It is a fearful thought that if Noynoy be allowed to extend his

term it would be another rerun of the Marcos or Arroyo Era. After all,
how many times must we repeat history before we learn from it? Should
we continue to walk around in circles, mindless of the direction of our
beloved nation?