With more time on his hands, outgoing Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel on Monday said he will help the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) in explaining federalism to the public.
Pimentel made the statement on the same day that he announced that he is stepping down as Senate leader as Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto III is expected to take over.
“The cause of federalism needs help. Federalism is not only PDP-Laban’s advocacy but also my personal one,” Pimentel told reporters in press briefing.
Pimentel, PDP-Laban’s president, said he will go around the country “in his personal time” to help explain to the people how the country will benefit from it.
The party is actively campaigning for the country’s shift to federalism, which is also President Rodrigo Duterte’s main campaign platform.
However, a recently survey showed that 64% of Filipinos are not in favor of charter change. Only 32% said they were in open to charter change while 66% do not favor a change to federal system of government.
READ: 64% of Filipinos do not want Charter change — Pulse Asia
Preparation for 2019
Pimentel said it was his duty to prepare PDP-Laban for its participation in the 2019 senatorial elections.
The senator himself is seeking reelection in 2019, noting in his press conference the deadline of filing of certificate of candidacies in 2019.
The president of PDP-Laban said the party was still finalizing their magic 12 senatorial candidates.
The party should come up with the line-up by August or September this year, according to Pimentel.
“So this is now a really political year kasi napaaga na rin ang filing [of certificate of candidacies],” he said. /vvp
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