Info drive might help people know more about federalism—senators

Sen. Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri. INQUIRER.net / RYAN LEAGOGO

With majority of Filipinos opposing Charter change (Cha-cha) and federalism, senators on Wednesday saw the need for an intensified information drive as one even floated the idea of proposing “piece meal” amendments to the Charter, instead.

Based on the Pulse Asia survey conducted from March 23 to 28, about 64% of the respondents were against changing or amending the 1987 Constitution; 23 % are in favor to amend it now while 32 % believe it should not be amended “but it may be amended sometime in the future.”

The same survey showed that 66% do not favor a change to federal system of government.

READ: 64% of Filipinos do not want Charter change — Pulse Asia

Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri viewed the survey as an “eye opener” for those advocating federalism like him and floated the idea of pushing for “piece meal” amendments instead.

“That means [the] government must step up its propaganda on the benefits of shifting to a federal system. Their methods of communicating this to the people have not been successful,” Zubiri said in a statement.

“There is the concept that what people fear most is change so without addressing the uncertainties of shifting to a different system then there will continue to be resistance from the people.”

The senator also acknowledged that it would be difficult to get the support of his colleagues in the Senate if the majority of the people are against the shift to federalism.

“As a federalist myself being from Mindanao, I find these survey numbers an eye opener to tweak the information campaign or at the very least propose piece meal amendments to the Charter that will give greater autonomy both financially and politically to Local Government Units,” he said.

“That would be more palatable to my colleagues and that would be more effective in amending the Constitution rather than not improving our outdated Charter,” he added.

But Senate President Aqulino “Koko” Pimentel III said the 32 percent of those who opposed but agreed to amend later could also be counted in favor of amending the Constitution.

“Magiging more than 50% or even 60% ang in favor of amending the Constitution if we do that,” Pimentel said in a Viber message to reporters when sought for comment.

“But I acknowledge that people still need to know more about federalism as the word has remained a new and still unfamiliar concept to them,” he added.

Asked if the ruling PDP-Laban would intensify its campaign , Pimentel, president of the party, said: “Yes party and all those other movements espousing federalism.”

“We may differ in the details (which are also important) but at least when we campaign for federalism we educate the people on its basic meaning and mechanisms.”

Senate Majority Leader Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, in a text message, agreed that many of them, were not “well-versed” on how the shift to federalism could be done smoothly.

“Perhaps the proponents should endeavor into a massive information dissemination campaign to the people so they could make an informed opinion,” Sotto said.

“Many of us, including myself, are not well-versed on how a shift to federalism can be smoothly done. Then and only then can we say that we can put the brakes on.” /jpv

RELATED STORY

Puno panel: Federal gov’t structure, tenures of President, VP finalized on Monday