THE PHILIPPINE STAR

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THURSDAY I JUNE 6,2OI9 I

Romualdez open to pursuing

shelved federalism bill
By DELqN PORCALLA to facittate Duterte's proposed shift to a
and JESS DlAz federal form of government.
RBH 15 seeks the creation of a presiden-
One of the contenders to the position tial-bicameral-federal system of govem-
of House speaker has expressed his deter- ment and empowers Congress to establish
minahon to rcvive the push forfederalism federal states by convening Congress into
- a centerpiece program of the Duterte a constituent assembly (con-ass).
administration. Meanwhile, outgoing m inority leader
"We will keep our dedication commit- Dariilo Suarez said Romualdez still has an
ment, passion and the flame buming in edge over congressman-eJect Alan Peler
. pursuing federalism until w9 reap the real Cayetano despite the promise of suppott
benefits of genuine constitutional reforms for the latter by two big political groups.
for our cliildren and the succeeding gen- "Congressman Martin has enough
erations," reelected Leyte congressman numbers to win the speakership," said Su-
Mariin Romualdez said recently. The 18th arez. a Dartvmate of Romualdez in Lakas.
Congress convenes in July. Tire'Qu6zbn congressman was com-
A-federalism bill breejed through the menting on reports that the Vjllars' Na-
House but was shelved in the Senate. cionalista'Party (NP), to which Cayetano
Romualdez said he remains committed belongs, and National Unity Party (NUP)
to advancing constitutional reforms in have pledged their support to ihe former
the next Congress in order to sustain the f oleign aff airs secretary.
-
country's economic growth.
;"ii-ti l"a"""ii"-if-vocacy of rresitent
Suarez said several o{ those who made -
the pledge would vote for Romualdez.
Duterte is a golden opportunity to unlock i'Th4 is because thev were our party- .
the doors of peace, progress and prosper- maTes in-L'akas. We fonired Kampi 6efo'ne
ity of the country and the people," he itbecame NUP. ln fact, those among them
said. Also a law"yer-banket Romualdez is who will vote for Rep. Romualdez have
president of th6 Philippine Constihftion signed the manifesJo of support for:our
Association (Philcdnsa). party president," he said.
He acknowledged the 1987 Constitu- Suarez will not be in the House when the
tiorls role as a "Bible of good govemance" chamberelects its speaker onluly 22. He will
and "beacon of light" in ensuring the assume the position of Quezon govemor on
country's political and economic stability. ]une 30. Howeve4, three family members -
"Letus ioin hands io maintain tlre oristine two elected from districts and one party-list .
'
supremacy of the Constituiiory" he;aid. rcprcsentative - will vote for Romualciez.
The House under the leadership of out-
going Speaker Cloria Macapagal-Arroyo 'Bloody Gontest'
has always been supportive of Duierte's The outgoing minority leader also said
campaign promise to establish federalism. it would be "a bloody contesL in terms
"We have done our part to deliver the draft of money," if President Duterte does not
new charter to the Senate iast year (2018)" endorse ar aspirant for speaker
House Deputy Maiority Leader Rodante Ear1ie1, former speaker and reelected
Marcoleta said. ',.Ily'e shall pursue this process Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez
given the pmplds mandate, expressed in the claimed thaL one aspirant was offering
lasi elections, for Charter drange." P500,000, while alotherwas dangling Pl
The congressman from party-list 1-Sa- million.
gip said the lower legislative chamber When drallenged by Suarez to prove his .

"fully supports President Duterte's cru- claim, Aivarez said none of his colleagues
sade to set out federalism jn the country would admit offering or rcceiving money.
' through constitutional processes." The Davao del Norte liwmaker is one
kr December 201$ the House voted 2211- of three candidates for speaker from the
22 -with three abstentions - to approve on ruling PDP-Laban pu rtyl Thu other lwo
third and final reading Resolution of Both are Aurelio Gofuales Jr o{ Pampanga and
Houses 15 amendiirg ihe 1987 Constitution Lord Allan Velasco of Marinduque,

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