NEGROS Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. said they still have to wait for the State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Rodrigo Duterte, where he is expected to reveal his plans about federalism before they will start the unification talks with the rival political group.
The governor was already given the authority by the members of the United Negros Alliance to meet with Love Negros for possible unification.
"What talk? It is all authority and no talk yet. We will inform you if there is a talk already. The problem is I do not know who to talk to," the governor said.
He also stressed that it is not yet the proper time to talk about politics because there are many other concerns in the country that should be talked about and should be addressed to.
The governor said that during the SONA of the president, the schedule of the plebiscite for changing the present form of government to federalism will be revealed.
The Consultative Committee (ConCom) that was formed by Duterte to review the 1987 Constitution is purely recommendatory only and it would depend on the Congress and the president to approve it.
"So we are not yet even certain if the elections in 2019 would push through," Marañon said.
"Definitely they will push federalism," the governor said.
As to the Negrosanon Federated Region, the governor said he is certain that it has enough support in Congress, especially that the Visayan Bloc has solid support for it.
"Negros Island can stand on our own with our income and resources and it has already been proven when we used to belong in one region under the Negros Island Region," the governor said.
He also confirmed that another consultation by the members of the ConCom is set on June 18 in Dumaguete City.