Rody to ABS-CBN: Help in federalism campaign

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte called on the television network ABS-CBN and its chairman, Eugenio Lopez III, to help in the administration’s campaign for the shift to a federal system of government.

“If you can help in the federal system campaign and make a slogan, also for the unity and to preserve this republic, then let’s bury the hatchet,” Duterte said during a Christmas benefit dinner for Marawi City spearheaded by the PDP-Laban in Pasay City last Wednesday.

“I will go to you and say… I ask no more. Just dedicate a portion of your time, your expensive and precious time on TV, help us promote federalism, only the good ones. But if you think that it is not into your system, fine,” he added.

Addressing Lopez, the President said he is willing to make peace with the TV network as long as it will help him in his campaign against corruption and support the campaign for federalism.

“I’m willing to shake hands with you. And you can continue with your criticisms about corruption. We are both against corruption and wrongdoing,” he said.

Duterte publicly criticized ABS-CBN for their perceived bias against him during the elections. He was particularly displeased over the network’s non-airing of a campaign advertisement that his camp had put out during the last leg of the campaign. 

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque admitted it could be difficult for the people to understand how the proposed shift of government would affect them.

“Truth to tell is it’s difficult to understand sometimes how the change of government to federalism will address our everyday problem,” he said.

Under a federal form of government, Roque said there would be no debate that local governments would be directly entitled to the revenues derived from the natural resources found in their area.  

“So to me, that’s the biggest argument for federalism. Because under existing Local Government Code although it provides for local autonomy and fiscal autonomy, it’s simply is not implemented,” Roque said.

Roque said he had a change of heart on federalism after studying its benefits to the country.