PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has already accepted that the planned shift to a federal state would not be attained during his remaining three years in office, his former special aide said Monday, June 10.
In a press conference, senator-elect Christopher Lawrence Go admitted that changing the current setup of the Philippine government from current unitary to federal system is far from reality.
"Sa ngayon, medyo malayo't mahihirapan tayo (As of now, it's far from reality and it would be difficult for us," Go said, when asked if his victory in the 2019 senatorial race would help the President deliver his pledge for a shift to a federal form of government.
Go issued the statement even as most of Duterte's allies dominated the senatorial elections held on May 13.
The shift to federalism is one of Duterte's campaign pomises, which he intends to fulfill before his term ends in 2022.
Duterte has long been advocating for a shift to federalism in an effort to end conflict and achieve long-lasting peace in Mindanao.
The Chief Executive has also expressed that a federal form of government would spur growth in the country, as it will evenly distribute the wealth across the regions.
However, Duterte told Go in a recent conversation that he has already accepted that federalism may not prosper in the last three years of his term.
"Yes," Go said, when asked if the President has already accepted that the proposed shift to federalism may no longer happen.
"Maybe, [it's not doable]. Actually, nagka-usap din po kami ni Pangulong Duterte sa federalism. Sabi niya mukhang mahihirapan din tayo ngayon (I was able to talk to the President about federalism. He said it would be difficult for us to pass it)," he added.
Go said that for now, the government needs to focus on promoting federalism.
"'Yung federalism, maybe kailangan po talaga ng education campaign para maintindihan ng tao.... Para sa akin, priority ang ipaintindi muna sa tao. (Perhaps, we need an education campaign for the people to understand federalism... For me, priority is for them to understand it)," he said. (SunStar Philippines)