Teodoro has thought of his priorities if ever his dream is realized.
He will push for a constitutional convention that will overhaul the 1987 Charter, paving the way for a unicameral system led by a directly elected president. Term limits will be lifted for all except the president.
Teodoro also wants limits on the powers of the Supreme Court and the rest of the judiciary, especially when it comes to business matters.
The provision on political dynasties must be stricken out, he said, pointing out that the only way to beat the system is by defeating those who want to perpetuate dynasties.
A provision used to justify military coups must also be stricken out, he said. At this time, Teodoro said with confidence, that kind of threat – either a coup or a so-called self-coup by Arroyo loyalists in the Armed Forces – has passed. Morale is high and, while the Philippine military remains one of the most poorly equipped in the region, the level of grumbling is no longer such that the troops could be goaded to join a coup.
Defense reforms are continuing, including in the system of procurement to discourage corruption, he said.
With little movement within the Lakas-Kampi-CMD, Teodoro is focused on his role as defense chief.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines is shifting its strategy in dealing with the communist insurgency, slowly abandoning Cold War tactics.
The thrust is to confront the grievances that drive people into the arms of the insurgency rather than fight a discredited ideology that many people don’t even understand.
The thrust also includes making soldiers see that every human rights violation diminishes the Armed Forces in the eyes of the public and strengthens insurgencies, Teodoro said.
He has strong ideas about courses of action that may be unpopular with government critics. In the conflict areas of Mindanao, Teodoro believes in the military solution first before peace negotiations, securing conflict areas for development.
He also believes the country still needs US forces and military assistance in Mindanao. If he wins in 2010, he will likely extend the stay of the troops, who are tentatively scheduled to leave in about two years.
In between fighting enemies of the state, he is preparing to slug it out with his rivals in Lakas-Kampi. And he continues to fight to capture the imagination of the public.
"— Ana Marie Pamintuan, “The administration bet,” Philippine Star, September 7, 2009
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