Imee Marcos pushes for federalism drive

TACLOBAN CITY – Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos found the responses to a controversial video on federalism to be an overkill.

“We really need to push (campaign for) federalism because the awareness and interest are so low,” Marcos said on Saturday.

Marcos was in Tacloban City on her way to Catbalogan City as a guest of Samar province, which is celebrating its founding anniversary.

“I think we should work on that instead of yelling at her, scolding her, pretending to be completely outraged. The outrage is OA (over-acting),” she added.

The video involving Communications Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson triggered calls for her resignation.

“Let’s move on. Let’s keep positive and get to work on federalism,” she added.

She admitted that the governors were not yet aware of the details of federalism.

“The local governments need to know the nitty-gritty because we will be the ones implementing it,” Marcos said.

She disclosed that during a meeting of governors on Friday, a discussion on federalism led to a shouting match among them.

One of those discussed, she said, was how the regions would be divided.

She learned that the regions would be clustered but was unclear how this was to be done.

Still, Marcos said she would support the move of Mr. Duterte to change the country’s political system into federalism.

The concept is “very good” but the details should be clarified, she said.