Gov’t officials opposing federalism just need more info, says Pimentel

Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III on Saturday said government officials against federalism would “need more information” on the proposed shift of government.

He made this comment after Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III and other economic managers earlier told the Senate finance committee that federalism might damage the momentum of the country’s economy.

“Ang nakukuha ko naman sa sinasabi nila is they need more information. Kailangan lang nila ng karagdagang impormasyon,” Pimentel, president of the ruling party pushing for federalism, told DWIZ.

[What I’m getting from their remarks is they need more information. They just need more information.]

READ: Economic managers cite risks of federalism

Pimentel refuted Dominguez’s argument, saying that, even though federalism could at first incur costs, it would financially benefit the regions in the long run.

“Kanya-kanya sila [federal regions] sa kung paano sila aasenso, paano sila makakatipid ng pera. Ang assumption doon, mas kabisado ng mga local leader ang sitwasyon ng kanilang lugar,” he said.

[Each federal region will have to find on its own how it will develop itself, how they will save money. The assumption is that local leaders know the situation of their regions better.)

He also advised the consultative committee who drafted the proposed federal constitution to still campaign for charter change following these adverse remarks.

But even though he would support federalism, Pimentel said he would not vote in its favor if Filipinos would remain uninformed about the issue.

“Mahirap naman kung hindi naman handa ang taumbayan sa impormasyon o konsepto,” he said.

[It would be hard if the citizens are not prepared in terms of information and concept.]

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque likewise welcomed Dominguez’s comment, saying it would encourage a “healthy discussion.”

“The opinion of the President’s economic managers is one of the myriad voices that would contribute to a higher level of discourse on the proposed federal charter,” he said in a statement. /atm

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