Manny, Koko to push for federalism

MANILA, Philippines — Is the Senate eyeing a shift to federalism after the midterm elections? 

Senators Manny Pacquiao and Koko Pimentel, both allies of President Duterte, have expressed support for the push for federalism in the incoming 18th Congress.   

Pacquiao on Thursday said he would still support  federalism as it as an equalizer between the national and local government, and would give a new face to the Constitution. 

He did not mention whether he would support the federal constitution drafted by Congress or that of the consultative committee (Concom) created by Duterte. 

Pacquiao was the campaign manager of Duterte’s PDP-Laban during the midterm elections, wherein he endorsed the candidacies of Pimentel, Bong Go, Ronald dela Rosa, Francis Tolentino and Dong Mangudadatu. 

Mangudadatu is the only senatorial bet of the PDP-Laban that did not make it to the top 12 based on recent partial and unofficial tally of the Commission on Elections (Comelec). 

Pimentel said the shift to federalism is one of his priorities as he vowed to support the draft federal constitution of the Concom. 

He said there are provisions in the Concom’s draft that he would not support, including the proposal on creating four Supreme Courts (SC) to avoid conflict between the courts.  

“I cannot tell for the whole Senate, but for me, this is my priority. I will support that of Concom’s, but not 100 percent as there are ideas that I don’t like, like the proposal for four Supreme Courts,” Pimentel told The STAR. 

“It’s too much, it will create conflict among the courts,” he added. 

Pimentel allayed fears on the Senate’s independence with the dominance of Duterte allies as far as the government’s shift to federalism is concerned. 

He said Duterte allies are expected to support the shift to federalism, but some of them are still against it. 

Members of Duterte’s Concom welcomed the decision of the senators to prioritize the shift to federalism, but warned the public to be vigilant as they might push for the Congress draft. 

Concom member and lawyer Roan Libarios said they appreciated the senators’ pronouncements, but that the shift to federalism should be in accordance with their draft. 

“We welcome the push for federalism as long as it is in accordance with the major components of the Concom’s draft because we disagree with the drafted federal constitution of the Congress,” Libarios told The STAR.

Under Congress’ proposed federal constitution, it retains the present presidential system and scraps the term limits for elected officials and does not create federal states, which is contrary to the drafted constitution of the Concom.   

Libarios refused to speculate as to what draft constitution the senators would support, saying the desire to come up with the shift to federalism is more important for now. 

Pimentel’s father, former Senate president Aquilino Pimentel Jr., reiterated Libarios’ sentiments, saying he is thankful for the commitment of the senators to push for federalism.   

He said the new senators should ensure to remove political dynasties and warlords, retain the term limits for elected officials and ensure a speedy delivery of justice.