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Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Palace backs Senate resolution on federalism
MANILA -- “It’s all systems go for Charter change” as Malacañang expressed its full support for a Senate resolution convening Congress into a Constituent Assembly (Con-Ass), Press Secretary Jesus Dureza said.
He said the Palace is “fully supportive” of the Senate Joint Resolution No. 10, which once enacted into law, could pave the way for the constituting of Metro Manila as the “Federal Administrative Region, the creation of the 11 states and conversion of the Philippines into a Federal Republic of the Philippines.
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The joint resolution was already signed by 12 senators -- Manuel Villar Jr., Aquilino Pimnetel Jr., Edgardo Angara, Rodolfo Biazon, Juliana Pilar Cayetano, Juan Ponce Enrile, Francis Escudero, Jose Estrada, Gregorio Honasan, Panfilo Lacson, Francis Pangilinan, and Ramon Revilla Jr. It would be supported by four more.
Dureza said Malacañang agrees with all the “whereases” of the joint resolution as the conversion of the present system of government into federalism would boost the centers of finance and development of the whole country.
He said the Senate resolution would also support the move to create a Bangsamoro state, which is contained in the proposed memorandum of agreement on ancestral domain.
The government is also supporting the Senate’s move to debunk speculations that Malacañang is eyeing amendments to the Constitution to extend the term of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, added Dureza.
He said the President believes in the need to downscale the authority of central government and dissipate it in a local set-up.
Last Monday, Arroyo reiterated her support for the shift to a federal form of government believing that it would provide lasting peace and development in Mindanao.
Dureza said the support for the Senate resolution does not necessarily mean that they are dropping their earlier call for a surgical amendment, which remains an alternative in case a nationwide conversion of federal states would not materialize soon.
According to him, they expect the House to come up with a similar bill soon and would leave it to Congress when the proposed Charter change and conversion into federalism would finally take place.
Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez Sr. felt that Charter change particularly the conversion into a federal system is still possible under Arroyo’s term.
Gonzalez said the people’s initiative could be used to hasten the process.
He added that federalism should also apply to the whole country and not just the proposed Bangsamoro State, saying the changes would only take effect if it is affirmed in a plebiscite.
“When you talk of Constitutional change, it will take some time because the plebiscite alone will call for a campaign period. You can’t have a plebiscite without informing the people what are the contents here,” he said.
The United Opposition (UNO) meanwhile is amenable to moves amending the 1987 Constitution only after President Arroyo leaves Malacañang in 2010.
This is because the opposition believes that the administration will use the proposed change in the form of government to advance its intention to push for an extension of Arroyo's term of office.
"We support Charter change only after Mrs. Arroyo's term because can we be sure that she will not extend her stay in power," UNO president and Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay said.
He said the opposition and the public have been hoodwinked before by Mrs. Arroyo’s promise that she will not run in the 2004 elections only to run against opposition standard-bearer Fernando Poe Jr.
The mayor added that Charter change is still not timely since doing so will only open a “Pandoras box” and will guarantee Arroyo's stay in power beyond her term. (JMR/AH/Sunnex)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Pangasinan. (August 13, 2008 issue)
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