Alvarez: Don't vote for senators who are against federalism

Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez on Thursday told the public not to vote for senators who do not support federalism, as it shows that they are also against benefits that can be gained from the new form of government.

In a press conference in Pototan, Iloilo, Alvarez said federalism will be one of the issues candidates for a senatorial post will be faced with in the coming elections.

The Duterte administration has been pushing for a shift to a federal form of government as a means to address various issues, particularly achieving peace in strife-torn Mindanao.

"Kaya tandaan niyo, yung mga senador na ayaw ng federalism, ibig sabihin, ayaw nilang umasenso yung mga probinsya at saka mga regions," Alvarez said.

"Huwag niyong iboto yan," he added.

The House of Representatives on Tuesday adopted a resolution seeking to convene Congress in a constituent assembly or Con-Ass, aimed at tackling amendments to the Constitution as part of the shift to federalism.

The senators, however, agreed they will pursue Charter Change through separate voting.

Despite this, Alvarez said they can achieve the required three-fourths vote in Congress even without the senators.

"Basta kami [sa House] tuloy-tuloy lang kami sa trabaho namin dito. We will satisfy the three-fourths of all the members na requirement ng ating Saligang Batas," he said in a radio interview on Wednesday.

"Tuloy-tuloy lang po kami dito tutal meron namang Supreme Court para magdesisyon kung tama kami o mali," he added. — BAP, GMA News