Duterte concedes on federalism, seeks Cha-cha
Credit to Author: Tempo Desk| Date: Wed, 26 Jun 2019 06:58:50 +0000
President Duterte on Tuesday urged lawmakers to still amend the Constitution to improve the country’s situation if they are no longer inclined to pursue the shift to federal government.
“If you do not want federalism, fine, but change the Constitution that would change this nation,” the President said during the oathtaking of newly elected government officials in Malacañang.
The President appeared to have accepted the situation that federalism bill might not hurdle Congress. He previously endorsed the shift to federalism to spur regional development as one of his legislative priorities but the proposal failed to pass in Congress.
The President has also made a push for amendments to the Charter’s economic provisions. He has long wanted to ease foreign investment restrictions in the country to attract more businesses and generate jobs.
The House of Representatives had earlier crafted its draft federal Constitution that retains the presidential form of government but allows Congress to create federal states as well as lifts the term limits of lawmakers. The Senate, on the other hand, is not keen on pursuing the proposed Charter change for now.
Senate President Tito Sotto said yesterday the proposed shift to a federal government might no longer have a chance within the last three years of the Duterte administration.
Sotto shared the sentiment of the Duterte who has said that he will no longer insist on a federal government but pushed amendments to the Constitution.
“I’m of the same thinking. The transition period to federalism will take too long,” Sotto said. “It’s better to simply amend the Local Government code to give full autonomy to local government units,” he added.
The Senate leader said he is also open to amending economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution just like Duterte. (Genalyn Kabiling and Vanne Terrazola)