Critics of the charter change question the
Duterte confident
Filipinos will back
federalism
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(The Philippine Star) - July 24, 2018 - 8:00am
MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo
Duterte is optimistic that Filipinos would
support efforts to amend the constitution as he
reiterated that he does not intend to prolong
his stay in office.
Duterte said a federal constitution would "truly
embody the ideals and aspirations" of all
Filipinos and create opportunities for growth.
"I am confident that the Filipino people will
stand behind us as we introduce this new
fundamental law that will not only strengthen
our democratic institutions, but will also create
an environment where every Filipino—
regardless of social status, religion, or
ideology—will have an equal opportunity to
grow and create a future that he or she can
proudly bequeath to the succeeding
generations," the president said during his
third State of the Nation Address.
The president lamented how national projects
in Metro Manila have been funded, "leaving a
pittance to Mindanao."
"Mindanao was dubbed as the land of promise
and Mindanaoans say in the region that is so
because what it got from the government
through the years of promises, promises and
more promises," he said.
Earlier Monday, Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez
(Davao del Norte) — while speaker of the
House — told the chamber that despite the
achievements of Congress over the past year,
it faces a bigger task, that of “dismantling” the
Constitution that he said has “robbed” the rest
of the Philippines of its “chance to fully realize
its potential for growth and development.”
motives behind the proposal — Alvarez had
proposed postponing elections so lawmakers
could stay on and focus on amending the
Constitution — and have said a change in the
form of government would not work if the
same officials stay in power.
"Yes, bad people are also responsible for the
mess that we are presently in. But to miss the
bigger picture and fail to understand the role
that institutions play in the puzzle of prosperity
and development for our nation will seal our
fate and preserve mediocrity as status quo.
We have to do something about this," Alvarez
said.
Duterte said in his SONA that four
administrations before him have tried to
amend the constitution but failed.
Palace: Work needed to promote
federalism
A recent survey, however, showed that
charter change remains unpopular among
Filipinos.
A Pulse Asia poll conducted last June
suggested that 67 percent of Filipinos are not
in favor of amending the 1987 Constitution
while 62 percent are against the proposed
shift to a federal system of government.
image: https://media.philstar.com/images/the-
philippine-star/headlines/20170921/protest-
pro-duterte-group.jpg
 "I therefore consider it a distinct honor and
privilege to have received earlier from the
Consultative Committee that I created, the
draft Federal Constitution that will truly
embody the ideals and aspirations of all the
Filipino people," He said.

"I thank all the members of the committee,

especially those who came out from their
retirement, for their valuable services in
crafting this draft Federal Constitution. I would
like to extend my particular gratitude to former
Chief Justice Reynato Puno and former
Senate President Aquilino Pimentel, Jr.," he
added.

Pimentel, one of the founders of the PDP-

Laban party that Duterte chairs, is one of the
most vocal and consistent proponents of a
shift to federalism. Pimentel, while at the
Senate, filed a bill in 2008 for a shift to a
federal form of government. — Alexis
Romero

In this file photo, supporters of federalism

head to a rally in Read more at
Manila. Philstar.com/Efigenio Toledo IV https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2
018/07/24/1836351/duterte-
READ: Majority of Filipinos reject charter
change, shift to federal government | Pulse
confident-filipinos-will-back-
Asia: 6 out of 10 Filipinos oppose charter federalism#bAoTOWjyQQGxE1B3.99
change
Malacañang has admitted that much work has
to be done to spread awareness on charter
change.

Duterte stressed that he does not seek to

remain in power beyond the term allowed by
the constitution.

"I have no illusions of occupying this office

one day longer than what the Constitution
under which I was elected permits; or under
whatever Constitution there might be," the
president said.

Duterte thanked members of the consultative

committee (ConCom) for coming up with a
draft federal charter.