Senate leaders downplay Alvarez’s call not to elect senators against federalism

Senate leaders on Friday shrugged off House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez’s call for the public not to vote for senators who are against federalism.

For Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, the suggestion of Alvarez would even “help make our upcoming election for senator at least issue-based.”

Pimentel, who intends to seek re-election in 2019, is the president of ruling party PDP-Laban, which is strongly pushing for the shift to a federal form of government.

Asked whether his colleagues are supportive of federalism, Pimentel, in a text message, said: “For the concept of federalism, a lot of my colleagues are maintaining ‘an open mind’ but the ‘devil is in the details’.”

Aside from Pimentel, the only incumbent senator who is also a member of PDP-Laban is Senator Manny Pacquiao.

Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III said the Speaker’s statement will likely have “no effect” on the chances of those running for senator in the 2019 elections.

“Okay lang. Negative campaigning is not disallowed. I’m not worried of issues like that…I will surely campaign for my Senate line-up,” Sotto said.

“[That has] no effect. I’ve been involved in 10 senatorial elections since 1987 and in my experience, negative campaigning on issues barely make a dent,” he said, adding that he is still studying federalism.

Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, for his part, said the “senators are willing to face the people on their stand on federalism.”

“The issue at this point is the brazen move of the House to impose and railroad Cha-cha (Charter change) without public debate and participation,” Drilon said.

At a press conference in Iloilo City Thursday, Alvarez said federalism will be one of the key issues that will be faced by senatorial candidates in the 2019 midterm elections.

“Kaya tandaan niyo, yung mga senador na ayaw ng federalism, ibig sabihin, ayaw nilang umasenso yung mga probinsya at saka mga regions. Huwag niyong iboto yan," he added.

For Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, however, it is unfair for Speaker Alvarez to pressure the Senate on Cha-cha and federalism.

“It is unfortunate that the Speaker resorted to threats and even name calling to pressure the Senate to relinquish it’s check and balance role as specified by our constitution,” Gatchalian said.

He said the move to amend the Constitution for the purpose of shifting to a federal form of government so far shows that “the only clear benefactors of this endeavor are the politicians who will perpetuate themselves to power.” — RSJ, GMA News