Duterte begs off from GMA’s con-com

DAVAO CITY — Mayor Rodrigo Duterte formally begged off yesterday from his appointment to sit as member of the Citizen’s Constitutional Commission (con-com) that will propose amendements to the Constitution, citing his multiple workload.

"I am, however, begging off from being a member of the said commission considering that I am already serving as crisis manager for Regions XI and XII as well as chairman of the regional peace and order council for Region XI," Duterte said in his letter to President Arroyo.

The Davao City mayor was among the six individuals who were added to the 33 initially appointed by Mrs. Arroyo to sit in the con-com and draw up proposals for the amendment of the 1987 Constitution.

Duterte, however, explained he would not be able to do his job at the con-com since his other positions require his personal supervision and control over issues affecting the safety and security in the regions such as the continuing threats of terrorism, criminality and lawlessness.

And as the mayor of one of the largest cities in the world, Duterte stressed he could no longer take additional responsibility without compromising the welfare and interest of his constituents. His refusal came as a surprise since Duterte is known to be one of the staunch supporters of Mrs. Arroyo.

Duterte was among the local officials who strongly came out in the open and threatened to establish a separate Mindanao republic should the opposition succeed in overthrowing Mrs. Arroyo through extra-judicial means.

Duterte told reporters here yesterday that he received the appointment from Malacañang Thursday afternoon.

The mayor said he has already sent a letter turning down his appointment to the con-com.

When asked if he would recommend somebody to take his place, Duterte just shrugged his shoulders and replied, "I do not know."

He also declined to comment on the issue if he wanted someone from Mindanao to take his place.

"My reasons are self-explanatory. I am begging off because I have more important things to do in my place as mayor," Duterte added.

Aside from Duterte, the new members of the commission are Bro. Rolando Dizon, director-at-large of the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines and member of De La Salle University board of trustees; Calbayog City Mayor Mel Senen Sarmiento, the secretary general of the League of Cities of the Philippines; and Philippine Bar Association (PBA) president Rita Linda Jimeno.

Dr. Emily Marohombsar, a member of the Philippine peace panel negotiating with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the first Muslim woman to have been appointed president of the Mindanao State University, was also appointed, along with former Southern Leyte congressman Sergio Apostol, chairman and chief executive officer of the Philippine National Oil Co. - Energy Development Corp.