Duterte firm against any role in transitory gov’t: Roque

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, in his speech during the Ceremonial Signing of the 2018 General Appropriations Act (GAA) and Tax Reform Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) in Malacañan Palace on December 19, 2017, gives assurance that the 2018 national budget and the TRAIN are initial steps to curb poverty in the country. REY BANIQUET/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

MANILA— Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque on Saturday reiterated that President Rodrigo Duterte is firm on his stand to reject any role in a transitory government as the administration pushes for federalism.

“The president has said that he wishes to finish his term, he wants to cut short his term, (and that) he does not want to lengthen his term,” he told reporters in a press conference.

“If his party-mates would insist on a transitory provision that would require the president to serve longer, the president said he is not interested,” he said, adding “they may have to ask another person in the government for that.”

Some legislators have earlier floated the idea of postponing the 2019 election to give way to a transitory government in preparation for federalism.

In a recent briefing, Roque said this issue has been discussed by President Duterte, who in turn expressed firm opposition to no-election.