Belmonte: Consider how federalism will affect poor regions

MANILA, Philippines –  House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. on Sunday said he is studying the effects President-elect Rodrigo Duterte's proposed federal form of government may have on poor regions.

Belmonte explained that he does not oppose the proposed shift to federalism and believes it can work in the country, he is still concerned about the effects of federalism on poorer regions since most of the country’s wealth is centered in the metropolitan Manila area and in Region 4-A.

“I’m just thinking na ‘yung federalism, you will have complete control of your region, with the exception probably of defense, foreign relations and so forth. Even education, you have full control of it. Ano’ng mangyayari doon sa mga places that are relatively poor at the moment and dependent on getting the share from the income of the rich regions?” Belmonte said over a radio interview with dzBB.

“I’m not against it necessarily. It's a question of papaano ‘yung mga regions? Hindi naman puwedeng ‘yung mga regions ngayon, which cannot even stand on their feet, cannot even spend for their education and so forth,” he added.

Duterte pushed for a shift to federalism during his presidential campaign saying this will give regions outside the capital more say on how their resources are used and how to best usher in development. He has yet to release a detailed plan on the proposed federal government. 

On the other hand, Belmonte said the task of constitutional reform to create a federal form of government should be made via a constitutional convention. He added that economic charter change -- to relax limits on foreign ownership, for example -- should be done once amendments to the Constitution begin.

Belmonte stressed that the constitutional convention cannot be made just to push for federalism as there are other aspects of the Constitution that require change. He said that although the constitutional amendments may open possibilities of lifting term limits, he is confident that those who will for a constitutional convention will do what is best for the country.

“It could be a Pandora's box pero I'm confident enough na ang mga leaders who will aspire for it ay pagkakatiwalaan din,” Belmonte said. —Rosette Adel