Federalism to promote development, says Pimentel; Davide disagrees

Former Senate President Aquilino "Nene" Pimentel Jr. on Saturday said federalism can promote development due to increased tax collection by local government units, but former Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. disagreed, according to a report on GMA News' Unang Balita on Monday.

Davide said federalism can affect Charter change and pose a challenge to the poor, to democracy, and to development.

Pimentel and Davide were among the speakers who took part in the Akademyang Filipino Forum on Federalism moderated by former Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales and Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio.

The former Senate President also said he is in favor of bringing back the four-year term with one reelection for elected officials.

Professor Winnie Monsod, also one of the speakers, said the change of government system to federalism will cost P479 billion annually.

Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya of the Department of the Interior and Local Government on the other hand said the present form of government has its weaknesses thus needs to be improved.

Malaya said under federalism, regions will be treated equally. —KG, GMA News