Thursday, May 08, 2008 Nograles meets with Misuari on federalism By Ben O. Tesiorna
HOUSE Speaker Prospero Nograles met with Moro National Liberation Front (MILF) chair Nur Misuari Tuesday to get the support of the influential Muslim leader for the proposal to shift from the presidential to federal from of government.
The two met at a restaurant in Quezon City with Misuari proposing that instead of dividing the country of the into 11 federal states, it should be divided into four, namely: Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao and the National Capital Region (NCR).
Misuari pointed out, however, that any proposal to finally give them real autonomy is welcome as this will not only accelerate progress in the entire island but will also speed up the resolution of the secessionist problem in Mindanao.
"We are very happy to hear that some initiatives are going on in high places in government. Our friend Nene Pimentel has sponsored a resolution to transform our system into a federal form of government," Misuari said.
"I think this (federalism) will expedite the resolution of not only the political but even the military and economic problems of Mindanao," he added.
Buoyed by Misuari's commitment of support, Nograles said that unlike in the past where efforts to amend the Constitution failed largely because of the non-cooperation of the Senate, "the proposed cha-cha will fly this time."
Nograles said he will hold a series of meetings with leaders of various political parties in the House of Representatives in preparation for the creation of an informal panel that will hold discussion with its Senate counterpart and thresh out the mode by which the proposal to the amend the Constitution can be pursued.
One possible option, Nograles said is for the Senate and the House to immediately convene themselves into a Constituent Assembly and propose which provisions of the Constitution would be amended. The proposed amendments will be then submitted to the people for ratification simultaneously with the 2010 elections.
"I will convene the leaders of the political parties next week and we will discuss this issue. I don't want to preempt it because wala pa naman kaming survey talaga at saka these are all informal talks but I think that con-ass will fly and will be accepted by the majority," Nograles said.
"If we agree to propose amendments to the Constitution and we agree before 2010, then it can probably be ratified by our people simultaneously with the May 2010 elections. Kasi, ours is to propose and to approve but the ratification is with the people," he added.
Misuari, out on bail for rebellion charges, said that he is happy that the Senate has now taken the initiative to amend the Constitution and has even volunteered to submit a counter-proposal on federalism.
