Pangilinan: Charter change for federalism should not be rushed

MANILA, Philippines — The charter change for federalism should just be left up to the next Congress, Senator Francis Pangilinan said Wednesday.

The senator noted that charter change is something that should not be rushed since elections are near and the composition of the next Congress would be different.

“Malapit na ang eleksyon, magbabago na ang komposisyon ng bawat kamara. Kung mayroon mang charter change na dapat asikasuhin, abangan na, hintayin na yung susunod,” Pangilinan said in a press briefing.

“Ipaubaya na sa kanila kasi ilang buwan na lang magbabago na yung number of senators, magbabago na lahat ng congressman. It will be a different Congress,” he added.

He noted that the Senate is currently tackling the 2019 budget and Congress will go on a recess for the election period and that the current Congress will no longer have time to decide on charter change.

“It (charter change) is something that we should not rush and if I were to decide, it should be let to the next Congress. Kasi you will be electing new members of the House and members of the Senate. Let them debate charter change,” he added.

Pangilinan was reacting to news that the House of Representatives had approved on second reading its proposed draft federal charter.  /muf

READ: House OKs draft federal charter on 2nd reading