Senate President Vicente Sotto 3rd yesterday welcomed President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to set aside federalism and instead called for a change in the Constitution.
“I’m of the same thinking. The transition period to federalism will take too long. It’s better to simply amend the Local Government Code to give full autonomy to LGUs (local government units). Also, we can just amend the economic provisions in the Constitution,” Sotto said in a Viber message.
Duterte on Tuesday said he would accept it if the move toward federalism fails during his administration.
He, however, added that the Constitution should be changed.
 “If it’s not for me, in my generation, somebody else’s. But you should change the Constitution. If you do not want federalism, fine. But change the Constitution that would really change this nation. I’m telling you this,” the president said.
Duterte has been pushing for a shift from a parliamentary to a federal form of government, believing this would spur countryside development.
Sotto said with the implementation of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) in progress, Congress need not make priority efforts for the shift to federalism.
He added that the BOL was a good test case to see if a federal type of government would work in the country.
The Senate chief said in the two years of the implementation of the BOL, the people could have a peek whether it was effective or not.
“Two years, more or less, we will have a very good idea already on how a federal region is doing. How their work is being conducted,” he added.
When asked if it would not be harder to push for charter change if the proponents would wait for two years and Duterte’s term is on its last years, Sotto said it would not be hard if the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region turns out good. He said if the BOL fails or cessation or hostilities would continue, Congress could always repeal it.
The legislative branch is yet to decide on charter change proposals despite the administration’s super majority coalition in the House of Representatives. Several lawmakers earlier conceded that the Philippines was not yet ready for a federal shift, as the electorate are yet to fully grasp the concept.
The House of Representatives in December approved its version of the draft federal charter on third and final reading.