JV, Villar: No more time for federalism

CEBU, Philippines —  Two senators believe that there is no more time to tackle the proposed federal form of government at the Senate.

Senator JV Ejercito said that since it’s already political season, there is no more time to talk about federalism at the Senate.

"It is political season already and we have other vital issues and we are very busy now. We just have to be realistic na wala nang time to talk about federalism," said Ejercito.

Senator Cynthia Villar also said there is no more time to tackle federalism.

"Mukhang wala na talagang time na e-tackle yung federalism. Yun ang sinasabi nang bagong House Speaker natin," Villar said.

Villar and Ejercito were both in Cebu yesterday for the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) Visayas Cluster Conference.

However, Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos is encouraging everyone, especially the mayors, to participate in activities and discussions about federalism.

    "It is so complicated. Sobrang gulo na. Baka in the end baka mahuli tayo dahil ang dami nang debate, hindi naririnig ang boses nang LGU and that the end of the day, the LGU will be the one to implement this," said Marcos who was also a guest of the said event last Monday night.

  Marcos said they need to know the places to be included in the Visayas cluster under the federal form of government.

    "We have to settle this because there are provinces that are not as wealthy as Cebu. What is going to be the role of the Visayas cluster given that Luzon is clearly the wealthiest and will never be ignored and now Mindanao is the very place of the future. What  will happen to Visayas which is in between?" Marcos asked.

   Meanwhile, Villar continues to encourage the mayors for a governance that is responsive to the needs of the people.

    "Those in the local government or LGUs play a key role in the decentralization process or in terms of bringing to the local level various national legislations, and more importantly, their strict and efficient implementation," she said in her speech.

Villar said that LMP has always been at the forefront of pursuing issues and concerns affecting municipalities.   

"It is really very important for us to be professionals, in the real sense of the word. We need to raise the bar, so to speak, when it comes to performance and public service. We need to remove the stigma and bad reputation that may have been created by others, but affect us too. I know we all try our best to adhere to the discipline involved in practicing good governance. First and foremost, because we in public service, especially in elected positions, we owe it to the voting public," the lady senator said.

 Marcos, for her part, said that governance has become a different thing, more complicated, more demanding, and challenging that it used to be.

 Ejercito, on the other hand, said that good governance means addressing the needs of the constituents like health services, education, sound fiscal management, among others. — MBG (FREEMAN)