Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno answering questions from reporters during the Meet Inquirer Multimedia hosted by Daxim L. Lucas at the Philippine Daily Inquirer office in Makati City on Tuesday. PHOTO BY EARVIN PERIAS
Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno wants a “more rigorous” study of the draft federal constitution after two economic managers of the administration warned of a “fiscal nightmare” under the proposed charter.
“I’m for further study, more rigorous evaluation of what has been proposed. That’s why it’s submitted to Congress so they can deliberate on it,” Diokno said during the Meet Inquirer Multimedia Forum at the Philippine Daily Headquarters in Makati City on Tuesday.
Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III had earlier warned that the country’s investment grade credit ratings would “go to hell” and the government’s “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure program may be derailed if federalism proceeds, while Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia also said that the proposed shift to federalism may “wreak havoc” to the economy.
READ: Economic managers cite risks of federalism
Asked about his thoughts on the draft federal Constitution, Diokno said the proposed new Charter needed improvement.
“I think it can be improved. For example, we want to open up the economy and I think that Constitution does not do that. I want to open up education, I want to open up mass media, why not, that gives you better opportunities, open up competition, all these public services, open them up,” he said.
On July 9, President Rodrigo Duterte received the proposed federal Constitution drafted by his 22-member Charter change committee. /je