MANILA – Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon warned against the apparent rush to amend the Constitution and urged proponents to “let the committee system work.”
“Congress should not be rushed into amending the Constitution to pave the way for federalism,” the Ilonggo senator said on Sunday.
Drilon reiterated his warning about the possibility that allies of President Rodrigo Duterte would push for the postponement of the 2019 mid-term elections to extend their terms of office.
Amending the Constitution to introduce federalism, according to Drilon, “requires comprehensive studies and deliberations.”
“(It) is not like passing an ordinary legislation. It is much harder than that,” he pointed out. “There are a lot of imponderables and implications that can affect our people of today and of the generations to come.”
He added: “Let the committee system work. Let the committee draft its report and route it to its member. Then, let the debate proceed.”
Drilon cited past studies saying only National Capital Region, Region 3 (Central Luzon) and Region 4 (Calabarzon) have the capability and resources to stand on their own under a federal government.
“How about the poorest regions and provinces?” he asked.
Charter change was being rushed “in order that the election could be postponed,” claimed Drilon.
If the 2019 election is cancelled, the President could exercise his power to appoint every mayor, governor, congressman, and even senators, the Senate minority leader warned.
“There is no holdover provision in the Constitution. The officials who were elected last May 2016 elections will have to vacate their posts by June 30 of next year as provided for in the Constitution,” Drilon said.
In addition, Drilon hoped the Duterte administration and its allies in Congress would seriously consider that a considerable majority of Filipinos oppose the proposed shift to a federal government, as shown in a latest survey.
“Marami pa tayong dapat tingnan at pag-aralan nang husto. Sa huling survey na lumalabas, mas nakakarami – seven out of 10 – ang nagsabi na huwag nating baguhin ang Saligang Batas,” he said./PN
