Martin Romualdez open to pursuing shelved federalism bill

MANILA, Philippines — One of the contenders to the position of House speaker has expressed his determination to revive the push for federalism – a centerpiece program of the Duterte administration.

“We will keep our dedication, commitment, passion and the flame burning in pursuing federalism until we reap the real benefits of genuine constitutional reforms for our children and the succeeding generations,” reelected Leyte congressman Martin Romualdez said recently. The 18th Congress convenes in July.

A federalism bill breezed through the House but was shelved in the Senate.

Romualdez said he remains committed to advancing constitutional reforms in the next Congress in order to sustain the country’s economic growth.

“The federalism advocacy of President Duterte is a golden opportunity to unlock the doors of peace, progress and prosperity of the country and the people,” he said. Also a lawyer-banker, Romualdez is president of the Philippine Constitution Association (Philconsa).

He acknowledged the 1987 Constitution’s role as a “Bible of good governance” and “beacon of light” in ensuring the country’s political and economic stability.

“Let us join hands to maintain the pristine supremacy of the Constitution,” he said.

The House under the leadership of outgoing Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has always been supportive of Duterte’s campaign promise to establish federalism.

“We have done our part to deliver the draft new charter to the Senate last year (2018),” House Deputy Majority Leader Rodante Marcoleta said. “We shall pursue this process given the people’s mandate, expressed in the last elections, for Charter change.”

The congressman from party-list 1-Sagip said the lower legislative chamber “fully supports President Duterte’s crusade to set out federalism in the country through constitutional processes.”

In December 2018, the House voted 224-22 –with three abstentions – to approve on third and final reading Resolution of Both Houses 15 amending the 1987 Constitution to facilitate Duterte’s proposed shift to a federal form of government.

RBH 15 seeks the creation of a presidential-bicameral-federal system of government and empowers Congress to establish federal states by convening Congress into a constituent assembly (con-ass).

Meanwhile, outgoing minority leader Danilo Suarez said Romualdez still has an edge over congressman-elect Alan Peter Cayetano despite the promise of support for the latter by two big political groups.

“Congressman Martin has enough numbers to win the speakership,” said Suarez, a partymate of Romualdez in Lakas.

The Quezon congressman was commenting on reports that the Villars’ Nacionalista Party (NP), to which Cayetano belongs, and National Unity Party (NUP) have pledged their support to the former foreign affairs secretary.

Suarez said several of those who made the pledge would vote for Romualdez.

“That is because they were our partymates in Lakas. We formed Kampi before it became NUP. In fact, those among them who will vote for Rep. Romualdez have signed the manifesto of support for our party president,” he said.

Suarez will not be in the House when the chamber elects its speaker on July 22. He will assume the position of Quezon governor on June 30. However, three family members – two elected from districts and one party-list representative – will vote for Romualdez.

‘Bloody contest’

The outgoing minority leader also said it would be “a bloody contest, in terms of money,” if President Duterte does not endorse an aspirant for speaker.

Earlier, former speaker and reelected Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez claimed that one aspirant was offering P500,000, while another was dangling P1 million.

When challenged by Suarez to prove his claim, Alvarez said none of his colleagues would admit offering or receiving money.

The Davao del Norte lawmaker is one of three candidates for speaker from the ruling PDP-Laban party. The other two are Aurelio Gonzales Jr. of Pampanga and Lord Allan Velasco of Marinduque.