Clad in a white shirt bearing the stylized image of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, a low-profile Robin Padilla attended on Friday a forum tackling the history of the Bangsamoro.
READ: Robin Padilla: Hot-headed senators should study history of Bangsamoro
At the sidelines of the forum, the actor explained why he wants Duterte to run as president in the 2016 national elections.
READ: Robin Padilla backs Duterte for President
Actor Robin Padilla poses for the camera after he expresses his support for the peace process in Mindanao during a forum at the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP). Photo by Kristine Angeli Sabillo/INQUIRER.net
“Naniniwala ako kay Duterte kasi naniniwala ako sa federalism (I believe in Duterte because I believe in federalism),” he said.
While Duterte has dismissed reports that he plans to become a presidential candidate, he said he might run for senator instead to push for federalism, a form of government where power is distributed between a central authority and its constituent units or smaller political subdivisions. These smaller units receive a certain level of autonomy.
READ: Duterte says he may seek VP or Senate seat to push federalism
Padilla said the rest of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao should no longer be dependent on “imperial Manila,” a phrase pertaining to the alleged undue concentration and focus of the government on Metro Manila.
READ: Argument for federalism: Manila steals funds
“Pagka merong sakuna, pagka merong katulad ng sa Tacloban. Kailangan bang magdesisyon pa mga taga Manila?” he told INQUIRER.net.
The actor and Muslim convert also said that the resolution of the “Bangsamoro problem” or the issues of Mindanao should not rest solely on Manila.
“Naniniwala ako dapat tayong lahat ay may kanya-kanyang kultura, may kanya-kanya tayong tradisyon. Kaya dapat tayo ay pederal (I believe that we each have our own cultures, our own traditions. That is why we should become federal),” he said. IDL
RELATED STORIES
Are Filipinos ready for federalism?
Mamasapano raises ante for federalism
Palawan warms to Duterte pitch for federalism