Palace expects Senate’s support in Duterte’s push for federal gov’t

Despite the Senate’s disposition on charter change, Malacañang still expects the Senate to support the desire of the President for a federal form of government.

The statement of Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo came after senators said that discussions on federalism is not its priority as the Senate is focused on the 2019 budget.

READ: Senate: Charter change is not urgent

“The disposition of the Senate with respect to this proposal should be understood along with its current and tight situation of addressing the 2019 budget with not too ample time to spare,” Panelo said in a statement.

“We thus expect the Senate to support the President’s desire for a federal form of government thereafter and see the wisdom of changing the system of government as part of society’s transformation for the betterment of all the Filipinos,” he added.

The Senate is rushing plenary deliberations on the 2019 budget bill so that it could be ratified and sent to President Rodrigo Duterte before the end of 2018. /je