Francis Pangilinan: ‘No more time for charter change’

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate will not be able to immediately act on a resolution passed by the House of Representatives seeking a shift in the form of government to a presidential-federal system due to lack of time and consensus.

Sen. Francis Pangilinan said the Resolution of Both Houses 15, passed on third and final reading on Tuesday by the lower chamber, would most likely be referred to his committee on constitutional
amendments and revision of codes.

“Offhand though, there is a consensus amongst senators, whether in the majority or the minority, Charter change and the proposed shift to federalism has far-reaching and serious economic and political consequences, and therefore cannot be rushed,” Pangilinan said.

Congress started its Christmas break yesterday. Session will resume on Jan. 14, and the attention of the Senate and the House of Representatives will likely focus on hammering out a final version of the proposed P3.757-trillion national budget.

On Feb. 9, Congress will adjourn session to give way to the campaign period for the national and local elections. It will resume session on May 19 before finally adjourning sine die on June 7.

Pangilinan earlier said amending the Constitution to shift the present form of government to a federal system cannot be rushed, noting that only three percent of the population found Charter change important based on latest polls.

He noted federalism advocates in the Duterte administration could not agree among themselves regarding the details of the federal setup.

For Pangilinan, it would be better if the matter would be left to members of the incoming 18th Congress to tackle.

Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III, one of the main proponents of federalism, said “the best and most comprehensive proposal to promote efficiency in governance is federalism itself.”

“Through federalism, there shall be devolution of powers, sharing of resources and division of labor between national government and local governments,” Pimentel said at a recent business forum.

A political analyst said the outcome of next year’s midterm elections will decide the fate of the Duterte administration’s push for federalism.

Ramon Casiple, executive director of the Institute for Political and Electoral Reforms, said next year’s elections will not only test Duterte’s popularity, but will also provide another opportunity to drum up more support for his legislative agenda and federalism. Federalism is one of Duterte’s major advocacies.

“The big question is what will happen if Duterte is not there. Duterte, at this time, has the capability and impact to maintain political stability which is the basic requirement for economic development,” Casiple said.

Vice President Leni Robredo had said politicians should not equate their support for Duterte with their vote for federalism.

Franciso Magno, trustee and program convenor for governance of Stratbase ADR Institute, also sees the importance of the upcoming elections as members of Congress have other crucial powers aside from lawmaking.

“We are electing a Congress with policymaking power, with the power of the purse, power to review presidential appointments, power to review the operations of martial law… (and) international treaties, power of impeachment,” Magno said.

Stratbase ADRi president Dindo Manhit said the Duterte government is confronted by several conditions critical to political and economic development.

“Governments, as the pinnacle of power in society, do not operate in a social vacuum. As such, in order to operate and deliver services to the general population, a two-tiered participation is imperative – for the people to engage in political and economic activities and for the people to guard their leaders,” Manhit said.

Ronald Mendoza, dean of the Ateneo School of Government, noted the country’s economic institutions seem to be improving but political institutions seem to be lagging behind.  –  With Helen Flores