MANILA, Philippines — The opposition of Presidential daughter and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio to the proposed shift to a federal form of government will not affect the administration’s push for federalism.
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said this Monday in a Palace briefing, noting that President Rodrigo Duterte’s daughter is free to air her position on the proposed Charter change.
“Every one of us has his or her own ideas on how to solve certain problems. Mayor Sara has her own concept. We respect that,” Panelo said.
When asked if Duterte-Carpio might affect the administration’s push for federalism, Panelo, who is also Duterte’s chief legal counsel, said it will be the framers of the Constitution and the people who will decide on federalism and not the Davao City mayor.
“Hindi naman (makaka-affect). Sino ba magde-decide niyan kundi framers of the Constitution. Hindi naman si Mayor Sara. It’s the framers of the Constitution that will decide and ultimately the people of the Philippines,” he said.
Last week, Duterte-Carpio told reporters she is not in favor of federalism as it might only “embolden Mindanao warlords.”
READ: Inday Sara says federalism might only embolden ‘warlords’ in Mindanao
“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.
The President’s eldest daughter, however, noted that the decision to shift to federalism will be up to Congress and the President.
Since 2016, President Duterte has been pushing for a shift to a federal form of government, saying it will benefit local government units that have long relied on the central government for funding.
Duterte has formed a consultative committee that recommended a draft federal Charter. However, he has not yet officially endorsed the committee’s draft to Congress, which introduced its own version of a Charter to amend or replace the 1987 Constitution.
Moves to modify the nation’s main law, however, remains to be the least priority of senators.
READ: Senate: Charter change is not urgent
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