Former Senate President Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel Jr. talks about federal system of government in a forum in Quezon City. (File photo by NIÑO JESUS ORBETA / Philippine Daily Inquirer)
Consultative Committee (Con-com) member and former Senate President Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel Jr. asserted Monday that drafting the federal Charter was a serious job even if others might not take their work seriously.
Pimentel was sought for his reaction on the viral video of Presidential Communications Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson and her friend Drew Olivar singing what could be a federalism campaign jingle.
The lyrics of the supposed federalism song includes: “I-pepe, i-pepe, i-dede, i-dede… ipederalismo!” In the video, Olivar was seen touching his crotch and chest as he sang danced.
Pimentel did not directly comment on the cotroversial video, admitting that he has not seen it yet, but instead emphasized on the significance of their work at Con-com to come up with the new draft Charter that would replace the 1987 Constitution and pave the way for the shift to a federalism form of government.
“Hindi naman biro yung aking ginagawa, bahala na ‘yung iba. Kung biro sa kanila, sa kanila iyon, pero sa akin seryoso,” Pimentel said in an interview with dzBB.
He also said he really does not care who would spread awareness on federalism as long as the person is knowledgeable on the topic.
“Wala akong pakialam kung sino-sino diyan ang gusto nilang kunin. Wala akong pakialam. Ang aking pakay dito ay maikalat natin ang ideya ng federalismo sa tamang pamamaraan,” Pimentel said.
“So kung sino ang gustong sumali diyan ay okay. Demokrasya naman tayo so it’s alright. Pero uulitin ko, para sakin ay importante yung magkalat siya ng impormasyon na alam niya yung pinagsasabi niya,” he added.
Uson was recently tapped to help in the government’s bid to spread awareness on federalism nationwide.
READ: Mocha Uson tapped to help in info drive on federalism
Earlier Monday, Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III urged Uson to stay away from the federalism campaign, study first and even take a leave following the controversial jingle.
READ: Koko to Mocha: Keep off federalism campaign, take a leave
Pimentel expressed dismay that such viral video of Uson and her friend could smear causes of federalism, which Pimentel and the ruling PDP-Laban have been promoting. /kga