To Reelect PNOY? That is the Question....

Amidst the cry of militant-minority-bloc Members of the House of Representatives to impeach President Benigno S. Aquino III or PNOY, some of PNOY's supporters launched a fan page on a social media calling for his reelection.  

This photo was taken from a fan page supporting PNOY for his reelection at https://www.facebook.com/wesupportyoupinoy/photos_stream
Accordingly, PNOY is successful in leading our country to the straight path (daang matuwid).  Thus, they would like him to continue what he has started.

However, it is provided in the 1987 Philippine Constitution that the President shall have only one term.  Thus:

"The President shall not be eligible for any reelection".

Thus, despite the clamor of PNOY's supporters to urge him to run again as President, he is barred by no less than the highest law of the land.  It is our very constitution that bars PNOY from running as President.  However, if he runs for another position other than President, PNOY is very much allowed to do so.

How about in the case of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (GMA) where she was allowed to be reelected? GMA succeeded the presidency when President Joseph Ejercito Estrada stepped down from office even before the impeachment trial against was concluded and even before the end of his term.  She assumed as a President on January 20, 2001 and was reelected as a President on May 2004 elections.

The Constitution further states that:

"No person who has succeeded as President and has served as such for more than four (4) years shall be qualified for election to the same office at any time".

If we do the math, when GMA succeeded as President on January 20, 2001, she has served only more than 3 years as such, thus, she was not barred by the Constitution to run again to the same office on May 2004 elections.

Again, what the Constitution has forbidden is the running again for the same post in the case of the President, it does not bar him/her to run for another post.  Thus, when GMA and President Estrada ran for another posts as Representative and Mayor respectively, their elections were valid and sanctioned by law.

Unless and until our Constitution is amended for that purpose, no President shall be eligible for reelection.



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