Nene Pimentel's appeal to the public, speak out now

Former senator Aquilino "Nene" Pimentel Jr. has asked the public to voice out their opinion as the government seems to fast-track the implementation of a federal form of government.

"Mga kababayan ko, ang direct appeal ko sa inyo, huwag kayong maghintay na hindi na kayo makapagsalita," he said in an interview on "Bawal ang Pasaway kay Mareng Winnie" on Monday evening.

"Magsalita kayo ngayon," he added.

Pimentel, known as the father of federalism and the father of the Local Government Code, said the Local Government Code has not been implemented properly and it has not undergone a formal review.

"Nung naipasa natin yung Local Government Code, for the first time ang mga ka-barangayan, munisipyo, syudad, probinsya nagkaroon ng more or less na parang bagang concrete na kapangyarihan to address the concerns of the people. But only on three major departments, agriculture, health and social welfare," he said.

However, Pimentel pointed out that when Supertyphoon Yolanda struck Samar and Leyte the relief operations were still handled by Dinky Soliman, then secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

"A department whose personnel functions and funds had already been devolved to local government," he said.

Pimentel explained that the Local Government Code was a "logical successor towards the process of federalism."

In the process, the Code should have been reviewed every five years, so the needs of the local government can be addressed.

When asked if the Code was reviewed, Pimentel said, "as a Code i don't think that it ever was (reviewed). The Local Government Code was not implemented properly."

He said he did not ask for a review of the Code because he was still working on the implementation of the Code.

On the proposed transitory period to a federal form of government that would last up to 10 years, Pimentel said, "Totally unacceptable, I would like to say."

"Kayo pong, lahat kayo na nasa poder ngayon who are elected officials nandidiyan kayo kasi gusto ng taumbayan  nandun kayo. Huwag ninyong isa tabi yung proceso where the people would exercise their sovereignty to place you in power, just so you can stay in power forever," he said.

He underscored that the government should conduct public hearings nationwide as part of efforts to educate the public about federalism. — BAP, GMA News