Duterte to discuss transfer of power during democracy summit

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte is expected to talk about efforts to ensure a peaceful transfer of power and to promote peace, development and public health during the US-led Summit for Democracy, a Palace official said.

Presidential adviser on foreign affairs and chief of presidential protocol Robert Borje yesterday noted that Duterte’s term is about to end and that a democracy cannot be strong if there is no peaceful and regular transfer of power.

“I think this will figure very strongly and very prominently in the speech of the President. It’s an admission on the part of the President, and maybe reaffirmation of his strong belief, that it is his responsibility first and foremost as the president to ensure that there is a peaceful transition, because without it, we cannot be called a democracy. That means, we are authoritarian,” Borje told state-run People’s Television.

“If elections are not peaceful, honest, free and credible, it calls into question the integrity of the electoral process and of democracy,” he added.

Borje said the President may also discuss measures designed to ensure peace, development and public safety and to protect public health from COVID-19.

“I think an important part of the speech of the President (will be about) the components of democracy which are vital to make democracy stronger,” the Palace protocol chief said.

“At the end of it all, what the President is saying is that the Philippines is democratic, Filipinos are democracy-loving people. We value democracy. We may continue to have challenges as a democracy, but we’re firmly committed to democratic values. And that’s always been his message as the President of the Philippines,” he added.

Borje said Duterte’s national intervention statement would also tackle the Philippines’ experiences as a democracy, what he needs to do as a president of a democratic country, and the challenges that need to be addressed to keep democracy strong.

The Summit for Democracy began yesterday and ends today. It aims to bring together leaders from government, civil society and the private sector to “set forth an affirmative agenda for democratic renewal and to tackle the greatest threats faced by democracies today through collective action,” according to the US State Department. – Pia Lee-Brago