Central Luzon favors shift to parliamentary form of government

Central Luzon reportedly favors the proposed shift to a parliamentary system of government, a federal structure for the republic and allowing foreigners to explore, develop and utilize the country’s plentiful natural resources.

This was the result of public consultations conducted by the 54-member presidential consultative commission (con-com)on Charter amendements at the Clark Special Economic Zone (CSEZ) in Angeles City in Pampanga Thursday.

In the consultation over the proposed shift to a parliamentary form of government, 83 delegates from various Central Luzon provinces took part in a workshop handled by commissioners Rita Jimeno, Emmanuel Angeles and Oscar Rodriguez.

During the workshop discussions, issues raised by participants included concerns on how the shift to a parliamentary government would affect the country’s budgeting system, the stability of the government under a parliamentary system, the assurance that the country-wide development fund (CDF) would still go to the various local government units under the proposed shift and the retention of the anti-political dynasty provision in the 1987 Charter.

In mock voting that followed the workshop, 71 voted yes for the move to a parliamentary form of government while 72 voted to include the anti-political dynasty provision of the 1987 Constitution.

On the proposed change of government structure from the present unitary to a federal structure of the republic, of the workshop’s 74 participants, 50 voted for the shift to a federal structure of government.

Those who supported the shift to a federal structure of government, however, suggested a 10-year transition period was favored to enable the full implementation of the Local Government Code of 1991 and to allow the creation of autonomous regions and regional states.

During the discussions, the issue of control over the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) was also raised.

The workshop participants agreed that the Constitution does not allow secession, citing this as the reason why there should only be one army under federal control. As such, federal states would not be allowed to organize their own armed forces.

On the issue of allowing foreigners greater participation in exploring and utilizing the country’s natural resources, the participants in the workshop overwhelmingly expressed their support for the proposal to relax citizenship requirements and allow more foreigners to participate.

Those consulted argued that, at present, there aren’t enough investments or investors and that opening the economy to foreigners will provide needed capital.

The workshop participants also said that though there is a need for liberalization, safety nets must also be set up for Filipino citizens.

The con-com was given until Dec. 15 by President Arroyo to finalize their proposed amendments to the 1987 Constitution for submission to Congress.

Congress will then deliberate on the proposed amendments and start the process of Charter change. — Mike Frialde