Pacquiao to push for federal system in PH

Senator Manny Pacquiao. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Manny Pacquiao on Wednesday vowed to push for a federal form of government should he get elected president in 2022.

“Sang-ayon ako doon sa pagpalit ng sistema ng ating gobyerno para madisiplina itong korapsyon, higit sa lahat isusulong natin ‘yung pederalismo, ipu-push natin ‘yung local autonomy,” he said in an interview over ABS-CBN’s TeleRadyo.

(I agree with changing the system of government to address corruption in the country. I will push for federalism and local autonomy.)

Pacquiao, who has been advocating federalism as senator, said he agrees with amending the 1987 Constitution but it should be done  through Constitutional Convention (Con-con).

“Mas mabuti siguro na Con-con para taumbayan ang magdedesisyon. Mahirap naman kung Con-Ass [Constitutional assembly] ay mga elected lang na officials, gusto ko marami ang nagdedesisyon ang taumbayan,” Pacquiao siad.

(I think it is better to have a Con-con so that the people would decide. It will be difficult if there is a Con-Ass because elected officials will decide. I want the public to decide.)

President Rodrigo Duterte had been pushing for a shift to a federal form of government to address national economic and power imbalances.

Under the proposal, the country will be divided into states that will be formed from the existing regions.

JPV