Cebu Rep. Gwendolyn Garcia. (File photo from the Philippine Daily Inquirer)
The House of Representatives, dominated by President Rodrigo Duterte’s allies, is not giving up on its push for federalism, Deputy Speaker Gwendolyn Garcia asserted on Monday.
The Cebu 3rd district congresswoman said this in reaction to a survey that showed that 67 percent of Filipinos are against Charter change (Cha-cha) moves and that a majority oppose a shift to federalism.
READ: 67% of Filipinos oppose Charter change, says Pulse Asia survey
Asked in a press briefing if the survey results should be a sign to give up on their federalism advocacy, Garcia said: “Oh, certainly not.”
“You are very much aware that the President when he was still a candidate had pushed for this shift, this very much part of the platform of the President along with his fight against the drug problem as well as corruption but this too was part of the President’s platform,” she added.
Garcia also pointed out the apparent “contradiction” between the federalism surveys results of two major pollsters, Pulse Asia and Social Weather Stations (SWS).
An SWS first quarter survey earlier showed that the majority of Filipino adults remain unaware of the federal system of government, but 37 percent of them agree with it, while 29 percent disagree and 34 percent remain undecided.
READ: Federal system what? 75% of Filipinos not aware – SWS survey
Despite this, the pro-administration lawmaker said: “It is really a challenge to the House leadership to now disseminate as far and as much as possible as much public information and public education as regards to this shift to a federal system.”
“We are in full support of the advocacy of the President which is why we will continue to push for the shift to a federal system,” Garcia added.
Pressed on why Duterte’s popularity has yet to translate to a strong support for federalism, the lawmaker said: “Perhaps, we really need to keep a more open mind… because right now there seems to be quite a contradiction between both survey firms.”
She also said that sometimes surveys are “dependent on the moods of the moment.”
“We are confident that as we continue and step-up a massive information campaign as regards a federal system of government the public opinion will invariably change and we are optimistic that understanding the need for this shift in our system of government, the Filipinos will ultimately embrace federalism,” she added.
The proposed Charter change being pushed by Duterte’s allies in Congress and by his Consultative Committee (Con-com) could pave the way to a shift to a federal form government – one of his campaign promises and an advocacy of his political party, Partido Demokratiko Pilipino Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban).
But some opposition lawmakers are saying that the administration should not force this change upon the people. /je
READ: Don’t force Cha-cha – solons