Palace optimistic federal Charter will be passed during Duterte’s term

MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang has remained optimistic the draft federal Charter would be approved within the term of President Rodrigo Duterte.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo issued the remarks after senators said the draft Charter would not be passed during the 17th Congress, which  is only until July 2019.

Duterte is currently into the middle of his six-year term, which began on the afternoon of June 30, 2016.

The House of Representatives on December 4 approved on second reading its version of draft federal Constitution, less than five session days left before Congress goes on Christmas break.

READ: House OKs draft federal charter on 2nd reading

“Well kung wala nang pag-asa this December, eh nandiyan pa naman ‘yung susunod na session. ‘Di meron pa rin,” Panelo said in a Palace briefing.

Asked if the Palace is confident the draft federal Charter would be passed during the term of Mr. Duterte, he said: “Definitely. Mahaba pa ang kanyang term.”

The shift to a federal of government was one of the campaign promises of Duterte. He has created a Consultative Committee (Con-com) to come up with a draft a new Charter that would replace the prevailing 1987 Constitution and pave the way for a federal government.  /kga

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