Pimentel slams ‘alarmists’ speculations vs federalism

Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III has branded as “alarmists” speculations that the term of incumbent officials would be extended under the proposed shift to federalism.

Pimentel, however, also admitted on Friday that a study group of the ruling PDP-Laban has submitted a draft proposal, which contains a long transition period to allow the change from the present unitary to a federal form of government.

“Ako mismo, na-briefed nila (study group) ako dyan, mahaba nga ‘yung transition period na nasa isip nila. Pero ang ibig sabihin nung transition period, hindi ‘yung status quo at hintayin kunyari 8 to 10 years, status quo walang galawan ng 8 to 10 years, hindi po ganun,” he said in an interview over DZMM on Friday.

“Ang ibig sabihin nun, bago maging fully federal, merong mga dahan-dahan na ginagawa. Gagawa ng mga regional government, gagawa na sila nung kanilang local government code, may mga ganun,” he added.

Nudged if there would be an extension of term under the proposal, Pimentel, the party president, categorically answered no.

“Walang extension ng term,” he said.

Pimentel explained that in the draft proposal, the Senate and the House of Representatives would still be retained except that senators would be elected by region, while House members would still be elected by district.

Asked again if the incumbent officials would be retained in a “holdover” capacity, the Senate leader said: “Wala po. hindi naman necessary ang holdover.”

“You can have an election. At kung sino ang mga nahalal, sila ngayon yung mga officials during the transition period. Ang importante may transition period kasi hindi pwedeng the day after the plebiscite, shift agad, federal agad. Pero hindi ibig sabihin nun, yung mga nakaupo ngayon ay sila rin ang sa transition period. Mali po, alarmist po na konsepto yun,” he said.

It was Pimentel himself, however, who earlier floated the possibility that President Rodrigo Duterte’s term may be extended “if really necessary” and if he was “amenable” to it.

The Senate leader made the remark when sought for comment on Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez’s statement on Wednesday that a no-election scenario is possible in 2019 if the proposed federalism is approved through a referendum in May this year.

“We can extend the President’s term: 1. If really necessary; and 2. If he’s amenable to it; and 3. Since that extension will be part of the new Constitution, is approved by the people themselves,” he said in a viber message to Senate reporters.

READ: Koko: Federalism may extend Duterte’s term, ‘if he’s amenable’

But in the radio interview, Pimentel clarified that what he had in mind was that the referendum would coincide with the May 2019 midterm elections, and not in May this year.

And while he welcomed Alvarez’s idea to hold the referendum this year, Pimentel said they have to be “realistic” and not rush the proposal as this involves changing the structure of government.

“And aminin rin naman natin hindi naman din lahat sang-ayon sa federalismo. So let’s have a healthy debate on the subject matter, hindi yung binibilisan natin yung debate,” he said.             /kga