Enrile fears federalism may lead to civil war

Former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile. Photo by RYAN LEAGOGO / INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — “Civil war” may erupt in the country if the federal form of government fails.

This was the warning raised by former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile on Saturday as he renewed his dissent over federalism.

“Hindi natin makakaya, hindi makakaya ng ating ekonomiya, at mahihirapan ang bayan. Maliban pa dito, ito ay bagong sistema, wala tayong experience,” Enrile said in his speech during an event in San Pedro, Laguna.

“Delikado para sa ating mga kabataan sapagkat sa ating saligang batas, kapag nagkamali, walang ibang resulta niyan o solusyon kung hindi digmaan sa loob ng ating bansa, civil war,” he added.

Enrile, who is running for senator in the coming May elections, earlier said that he filed his certificate of candidacy because he wanted to correct the errors he saw in the federal draft.

The 94-year-old former lawmaker particularly raised concern over the funding for the proposed transition to a federal government.

READ: Enrile: ‘Errors’ in federal draft charter made me run

It could also be noted that last March, Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founding chair Nur Misuari threatened to “go to war” if the government fails to pursue federalism.

READ: Misuari to declare war if gov’t fails to push federalism – Duterte

Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya, of the Department of the Interior and Local Government, immediately assured Misuari that President Rodrigo Duterte’s promise to shift to federalism remains on track. /jpv

READ: DILG to Misuari: Gov’t still committed to pushing for federalism