MANILA – The Consultative Committee (ConCom) tasked to review the 1987 Constitution wants the plebiscite for the draft federal charter “sa madaling panahon.”
The Philippines having a federal form of government will solve “a lot of our problems,” according to former Supreme Court chief justice Reynato Puno who is also the chairman of ConCom.
“Number one, it will unlock the potentials of the different regions. Pangalawa, napakahalaga rin na mapagtibay natin itong federalism dahil palaging ine-emphasize ng ating Pangulo ito – na ito yung susi sa pagkakaisa ng mga Pilipino,” Puno said.
He added that federalism can solve peace and order problems in Mindanao.
“Mabibigyan natin ng solusyon yung matagal nang hinihinging self-government ng ating mga kapatid na Muslim sa Mindanao na hindi maibigay ng ating unitary government,” the ConCom head stressed. “In other words, imbis na yung sinasabi nilang pagkawatak-watak ng Pilipinas, ang totoo, magkakaisa ang Pilipinas dahil sa federalism.”
The Congress will decide when to hold the plebiscite for the proposed new constitution.
“May dalawang kaisipan diyan. ‘Yung isang kaisipan, magkasabay para hindi masyadong magastos. ‘Yung namang pangalawang palaisipan ay separate par yung boto ng tao sa plebisito ay ipu-push doon sa merits or demerits ng federalism. Iyon ay pinauubaya na naamin sa Kongreso,” Puno said./PN
