Finance chief rejects federalism, for now
Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez admitted on Wednesday that he would vote against the proposed federal Constitution if it would be submitted for people’s ratification now.
Dominguez said this when asked, during the hearing of the Senate committee on finance, about the estimate cost of federalism.
He said he had met with members of the Consultative Committee (Con-Com) and asked how the proposed military, foreign affairs, among others, would be funded under the proposed federal government.
“How can we compute, we don’t know what the final roadmap is going to look like,” he said during the Senate hearing.
“I had a long discussion with them and quite frankly, I was more confused than when I started. So it’s good that it’s being discussed…,” the finance chief said.
Senate Minority Leader Drilon then asked if Dominguez would vote against the proposed federal government if it would be submitted to the people now for ratification.
“Absolutely! Yes, this particular draft. But it’s good that it’s being discussed by the wise legislators and you have to bring out these points,” Dominguez said.
Senator Loren Legarda, chair of the committee, pointed out that even government’s economic managers find the proposed federal Charter “confusing.”
“So there’s no need for more confusion in our country. There is so much confusion and chaos already,” Legarda said.
She immediately clarified though that she is not against federalism.
“I’m not against it. I’m for discussion,” Legarda stressed.
The Con-com has already submitted to the Senate and the House of Representatives the proposed federal Charter for approval. /je
