DAVAO del Norte 1st District Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez clarified that former President Rodrigo Duterte is eligible to run for president in the 2028 presidential election.
The former house speaker explained that the 1987 Constitution only prohibits the re-election of an incumbent president to prevent a repeat of what happened during the Marcos Sr. era where he held power for two decades.
The former House speaker added that the law does not apply to Duterte since he is not the incumbent president.
Alvarez also pointed out that during Duterte’s nearly 13-hour appearance at the quad comm hearing in recent weeks, he appeared to be in good health and still capable of leading the country.
Alvarez urged supporters of former President Rodrigo Duterte to rally behind his potential bid for the presidency in 2028.
Meanwhile, Alvarez criticized the ongoing investigation in Congress, claiming it is a ploy to undermine a powerful “potential competitor” in the upcoming elections.
“The Constitution disqualifies the incumbent president from reelection but does not prohibit a former president from running again,” Alvarez stated. He compared Duterte’s possible return to President Donald Trump’s second run for the US presidency, calling on supporters to champion the idea.
The Constitution’s Article 7, Section 4, states that anyone who has served more than four years as president cannot run for the same office. However, Alvarez insists this clause does not bar Duterte, as he is no longer the incumbent.
Screenshot photo of Rhoda Grace Saron
