Pimentel wary of GMA's offer of federalism

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Q. Pimentel, Jr. challenged the Arroyo government to carry out an honest-to-goodness campaign for the adoption of a federal system to address the age-old problems of over concentration of powers in Metro Manila.

Pimentel said that he shares the suspicions of many people that the interest shown by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in the federalism idea is a ploy to divert attention from her present political troubles.

"Because GMA is like the Greeks bearing gifts (represented by the Trojan Horse), we in the opposition should always be wary of dealing with her," Pimentel said in response to the President's directive to form a team that would draw a road map towards a federal system by 2012.

"In any event, because my advocacy of federalism started long before GMA became president and transcends political consideration or differences, the idea that it should now be discussed is acceptable to me."