Thursday, August 14, 2008 Senate hits Palace over federalism proposal
THE Senate on Wednesday criticized Malacañang's riding on the federalism proposal to perpetuate President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in office.
Joint Congressional Resolution 10, filed by Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. and supported by 14 other senators, seeks a Constituent Assembly (Con-Ass) for the establishment of a federal form of government.
Last Monday, the President publicly announced her support for federalism "to resolve a bloody Moro war for self-rule in Mindanao."
Press Secretary Jesus Dureza also pronounced that it is all systems go for Charter change. He insinuated that the senators who signed the resolution are flip-flopping on their position on their support for the shift to federalism.
He stressed that federalism has been the government's trajectory for negotiations with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
According to Senate President Manuel Villar Jr., one of those who signed the resolution said any amendments to the 1987 Constitution should be done after the 2010 elections.
"We signed the resolution to allow senators to debate on the merits and demerits of federalism and to see if this form of government can work in this country," he said.
Critics are saying the administration is using the resolution as justification to railroad Charter Change that may extend Arroyo's term in office, but Pimentel said there is no way the President will be allowed to stay in office beyond 2010 expiration of her term if the federal system of government will be adopted and implemented.
Pimentel said there may be truth to the insinuation that the peace agreement that the administration has worked out with the MILF may be used by Malacañang as a pretense to amend the Constitution to enable Mrs. Arroyo to circumvent the constitutional ban against her reelection.
He said the term limit on the presidency could possibly be removed by shifting to a parliamentary system, which is not contemplated under Resolution 10. Under a parliamentary system, Mrs. Arroyo can run for prime minister.
"I would like to say that Resolution 10 speaks only of a federal system. It does not deal with the adoption of a parliamentary system under which President Arroyo can conceivably extend her term by running for prime minister," he said.
Pimentel said while the memorandum of agreement on ancestral domain between the government and the MILF contemplates a so-called Bangsamoro Juridical Entity (BJE) with its own territory and system of government, it is not clear at this point whether both sides are aiming to establish a federal set-up.
He explained that Resolution 10 calls for the creation of a Bangsamoro Federal State, but this is only one of the 11 component federal states that will simultaneously emerge with the plan to federalize the whole republic.
Pimentel said he does not believe that the creation of a Bangsamoro Federal State will work and will be acceptable to the nation unless the entire country is federalized.
He emphasized that the constitutional term limits that apply to President Arroyo and other incumbent elected public officials will remain in force if a federal system is adopted.
For Senator Francis Escudero, any attempt of the administration to hide under the cloak of resolving the Mindanao conflict in endorsing federalism to advance their personal gain will not prosper.
Escudero said he will he be among those who will furiously block this move in the Senate. "When I signed Senate Joint Resolution Number 10 pushing for federalism, my signature was with clear reservations as to timing and provisions to be amended," he said.
He told Pimentel that the shift to federalism should be done after President Arroyo's term.
Other senators - administration and opposition - aired the same sentiment on the issue, saying the Constitution should not be changed until 2010 especially if the purpose of the revision is to keep the President in office. (Justin C. Paredes)
