Written for The Diplomat
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has reportedly instructed allies in Congress to begin proceedings aimed at amending the country’s constitution, fueling immediate speculation that he is aiming to extend his term beyond 2022.
Unlike in Myanmar and Thailand, where proposals to amend the constitution are often aimed at eroding the power of the military, in the Philippines, the push for “charter change,” as it is known locally, has always been instigated by politicians in power seeking to remove election term limits.
A Philippine Plebiscite That Rebuked President Duterte and China
Written for The Diplomat
In a plebiscite held on March 13, voters on the Philippines’ Palawan island rejected a law signed by President Rodrigo Duterte, which would have divided it into three separate provinces. The result is seen as a rebuff to the political clans that sponsored the law. Opposition parties also claimed it as a small but symbolic victory against Duterte and China’s maritime aggression.
Palawan is the country’s largest province, located on the western corridor of the Southern Tagalog region. It is known for its ecotourism destinations and rich natural resources. The island is regarded as the country’s “last ecological frontier” but years of logging and mining activities have led to its rapid deterioration.
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