Inday Sara says federalism might only embolden ‘warlords’ in Mindanao

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and daughter Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio wave to the reception party upon their arrival at the Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv, Israel on September 2, 2018. ARCEL VALDERRAMA/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Presidential daughter and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio on Thursday said she is not in favor of federalism, noting that it might only embolden “warlords” in Mindanao.

She made the remark even if a shift to a federal form of government was among the campaign promises of her father, President Rodrigo Duterte, during the 2016 presidential elections.

“Kung makikita niyo, ang Mindanao it’s an area na merong mga ‘kingdoms,’ mga local politicians, (at) mga local warlords. I do not think na tamang ibigay ang mas malaking powers kapag ganun ang setup ng isang lugar kasi baka mag-worsen ang situation ng mga lugar,” Duterte-Carpio said in an interview in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi.

Since assuming the presidency, Duterte has been pushing for constitutional amendments that would pave the way for the nation’s shift to a federal form of government. Duterte believes federalism would help spur steady progress throughout the country.

But despite Duterte’s federalism push, Congress did not prioritize passage of the proposed amendment to the 1987 Constitution.

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Nevertheless, the presidential daughter — who is being pushed by certain quarters to run in the 2022 presidential elections — also made it clear that she will let Congress and the President decide on the matter.

“Ako lagi kong sinasabi I am not for federalism. But, I say decision ‘yan ng Congress, (at) decision ‘yan ng President natin. Kung ano ang decision ng majority… isu-submit naman ‘yan sa plebscite, kung ano kagustuhan ng majority dapat sumunod tayo lahat,” she noted.

Asked if Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) senatorial candidates support federalism, Duterte-Carpio said the regional party she founded has no official position on the issue.

“Ang HNP kasi walang stand on mga issues. We leave it to the officers kung ano ‘yung opinion nila. (Basta) wala kaming collective stand on federalism,” she said. /kga