MANILA -- The Consultative Committee (ConCom) and the Department of the
Interior and Local Government (DILG) are optimistic that the shift into a
federal form of government will materialize within the term of President
Rodrigo R. Duterte.
"Given the fact that the elections are fast approaching, we still
hope that this will be implemented before elections. However, if not, then the
timetable under our draft is that this will be fully implemented within the
term of the President," ConCom member, lawyer Randolph Parcasio, said
Friday.
Assistant Secretary Jonathan Malaya, DILG spokesperson, said the House
of Representatives is currently taking the Constituent Assembly track, which is
why it proceeded to the process of passing a committee report.
Malaya acknowledged the possibility that there may not be enough time
for discussions within this Congress since elections are already set in 2019.
"If this doesn’t push through within this time frame, the next
battle will be the next Congress. So, in the next Congress, it’s now a question
of: Do we proceed again with the Constituent Assembly track or should we open
up the doors to a Constitutional Convention?” he said.
Either way, Malaya said he is confident that Congress will make the
right decision and "that the people should be given the opportunity to
approve or disapprove a draft federal Constitution before the term of the
President ends in 2022." (PNA/By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora)
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