An ally of President Duterte in the House of Representatives gave the outgoing leader a grade of 8 out of ten, but said that it would have easily been higher had the former served longer than six years.
According to Surigao del Norte 2nd district Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, the current term of six years in Malacañang is simply too short for a good president.
"Eight fair enough for all his (Duterte) accomplishments because six year is short for a good president," Barbers said.
Barbers chaired the House Committee on Dangerous Drugs during the entire six-year term of President Duterte, who became chief executive In 2016.. The latter will step down from office on June 30, 2022.
Duterte during his Palace tenure led an all-out war against illegal drugs and criminality. Barbers was a staunch supporter of this campaign.
"Had his term been 12 years, I would have given him a higher rating than eight," said the Midnanao lawmaker, who won a fresh term in the House during the May 9 elections.
The 1987 Constitution limits the tenure of the country’s president to one six-year term. This provision may be tweaked by lawmakers via Charter Change (Chacha), although that is easier said than done.
President-elect Bongbong Marcos will replace Duterte.
Asked for his message to the outgoing Duterte, Barbers said: "Kudos and thank you for your service Mr. President! May your tribe increase."