Groups from the opposition composed of rights advocates, workers, and lawyers called on the public to frustrate an attempt to tighten President Rodrigo Duterte’s grip on power. 

“As long as there is a Duterte in Malacañan, there will be no peace and justice," Cristina Palabay, secretary general of rights group Karapatan said in a forum held on Wednesday. 

Palabay said “there has been no peace and justice” during Duterte’s five years in power, citing his deadly war on drugs and the weaponization of law against perceived government critics. She added that legitimate dissent is wrongly equated with terrorism, while armed conflict is reduced to “mere violent acts.”

“Indeed, it’s high time that we say no more to this type of governance. It is high time for Duterte’s rule to end. It is high time that we make him accountable for the crimes he and his minions have committed against the Filipino people," Palabay said. 

“For these unrelenting attacks against us, we resolve that this murderous regime should no longer stay in position. Five years of suffering under this regime is more than enough,” said Joanna Cariño, co-chairperson of indigenous peoples’ group Sandugo.

Duterte, whose six-year term is set to end in 2022, has repeatedly floated the idea of a vice presidential run in next year’s elections, saying it would give him immunity from lawsuits. The vice president of the country, however, is not immune from criminal charges. 

Duterte’s political party, PDP-Laban, is urging him to seek the vice presidency to sustain his policies and programs. 

His daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, is being encouraged to run for the country’s top position. She has yet to decide on the matter but has indicated she is open to running for president.