‘Senate report on federalism to be filed after elections’

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate committee on constitutional amendments and revision of codes will file its report on the proposed shift in the form of government to a presidential-federal system from presidential-unitary system, Sen. Francis Pangilinan said yesterday.

Pangilinan, the committee chair, refused to give a hint of the content of the report but assured the public that it will be filed when the Senate resumes session on May 20.

“We will file the report, whether it will be tackled or not we will see. Let’s wait,” he said, adding that the sentiments of senators about federalism are also reflected in it.

The issue on federalism, he also said, would be tackled by the Senate during the 18th Congress.

“It’s going to be a new Senate, I will leave the answer to the next set of senators… it’s better that way. Let’s wait until they get elected, organized and then let’s talk about Cha-cha (Charter change) at that time,” said Pangilinan.

Last December, Pangilinan said the Senate would not be able to immediately act on a resolution passed by the House of Representatives seeking a shift in the form of government to a presidential-federal system due to lack of time and consensus.

He added that the Resolution of Both Houses 15, passed on third and final reading on Dec. 11 by the lower chamber, would be referred to his committee on constitutional amendments and revision of codes.

“Offhand though, there is a consensus amongst senators, whether in the majority or the minority, Charter change and the proposed shift to federalism has far-reaching and serious economic and political consequences, and therefore cannot be rushed,” Pangilinan said.