Pimentel: Martial law temporary, federalism is long-term solution to Mindanao conflict

Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III said the declaration of martial law in Mindanao is “temporary,” and that the Duterte administration is eyeing federalism as the long-term solution to the conflict in the region.

Pimentel made the statement during his keynote speech at the sixth UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) International Conference on Tourism Statistics held Wednesday.

“I wish to assure our foreign delegates that the situation in Mindanao that led to the declaration of Martial Law in that region is a temporary situation,” Pimentel said.

“The President simply utilized the powers granted to him by the Constitution to protect the people of Mindanao from rebellion. I am confident that once the crisis is over, we will have peace and security in that region which will result in more tourists visiting Southern Philippines,” he added.

Duterte declared a 60-day martial law in Mindanao on May 23, following the attack of the Maute group in Marawi City. Petitions questioning the validity of the declaration are pending before the Supreme Court.

Pimentel said their party, the Partido ng Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), is strongly pushing for the shift to a federal form of government.

“Our party is also proposing the adoption of the federal system of government as the long-term solution to the Mindanao situation,” he said.

Pimentel earlier said that Congress will prioritize the shift to federalism once the second regular session opens in July.

Under the proposed shift of government, the country will be divided into states that will be formed from the existing regions. Each state will be granted autonomy.

Meanwhile, Pimentel was confident that the Philippines’ tourism industry remains vibrant despite the “negative news.”

“The Philippines is experiencing a renaissance of sorts in our tourism industry. Notwithstanding the negative news of late about my country, more and more tourists are coming to experience for themselves our country’s beauty and culture,” Pimentel said. — Kathrina Charmaine Alvarez/RSJ, GMA News