Duterte accepts federalism may not prosper under his term — Bong Go

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has accepted that the push for a federal form of government may not prosper under his watch, his former longtime aide and now Senator-elect Christopher “Bong” Go said Monday.

Go told reporters that the President, in one of their conversations about federalism, has conceded that it won’t be passed under his term, citing the lack of support from the people.

“‘Yung federalism sa ngayon kailangan po talaga ng education campaign para maintindihan ng tao at madagdagan ‘yung interes ng taong bayan kung ano talaga ang kabutihang dulot ng federalism. Sa ngayon medyo malayo at mahihirapan pa tayo,” Go said.

(For federalism to succeed, there is a need for an education campaign so people will understand its advantages. Right now, it is a challenge.)

“Actually nagkausap po kami ni Presidente tungkol sa federalism, sabi niya mukhang mahihirapan tayo sa ngayon (We discussed it, but the President said it will be difficult to push for now),” he added.

Asked if Duterte has already accepted the fate of federalism, Go said: “Yes. Tanggap na niya (He has accepted it).”

A shift to a federal form of government was one of Duterte’s campaign promises in the 2016 presidential elections as he believes that federalism would help spur progress throughout the country.

But despite Duterte’s push, Congress did not prioritize the proposed amendment to the 1987 Constitution. (Editor: Eden Estopace)

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