Local News

Villar: Cha-cha, federalism should be done after 2019

Teresa D. Ellera

VICTORIAS CITY -- Senator Cynthia Villar said she believes that the proposed Charter change (cha-cha) to give way to the federal form of government will not be realized until 2019.

"That's still far, it could not meet the 2019 elections. Federalism and Cha-cha should be done after 2019," said Villar, who was here on March 17 for the Kadalag-an Festival.

She said the May 14 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections are fast approaching and the filing of the certificate of candidacy for the May 2019 elections will be in October this year.

"Those who will vote for Cha-cha will be busy for the campaign, so better do it after 2019," she said.

"If they do not want to change the Constitution and they are complaining about the sharing, we don't need to change the whole Constitution, we will only amend the Local Government Code. If they want to change the economic provision, then let us only amend the economic provision which is less controversial," Villar said.

She added: “We can do other things aside from cha-cha. Because the complaint is only about more power to local government units, then we'll just amend the Local Government Code.”

On the proposed anti-dynasty law, Villar said political dynasty is also happening in other countries.

“I think it's not the dynasty, it's the kind of people they elect to public office. It depends on the stability of the voters,” the senator said.

THREAT. According to a Capitol consultant, the Cebu City Government is threatening to shut down the Cebu North Bus Terminal at the back of SM City Cebu (left) and the Cebu South Bus Terminal along N. Bacalso Ave. for operating without a business permit. The Province, which runs both terminals, maintains that it operates the facilities as a public service for passengers going to the province and vice versa. /

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