Task force’s discussion on federalism ongoing, DILG spox says

An official from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Thursday admitted that the government is not yet ready to fully campaign the proposed federal constitution.

Speaking at a forum about prospects for reforms in the 1987 Constitution, DILG spokesperson Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya explained that the Inter-Agency Task Force on Federalism and Constitutional Reform (IATF) continues to discuss the proposed draft constitution.

“Hindi pa puwedeng ikampanya... We are not yet ready because there are ongoing discussions in the task force created by the President,” Malaya said in his welcoming remarks.

“‘Yun po ang katotohanan, hindi pa po nagkakasundo ng buong-buo ‘yung  task force sa mga probisyon ng tinatawag na Puno Commission draft,” he added.

According to Malaya, the IATF plans to submit the proposed federal constitution to President Rodrigo Duterte by the end of the year.

The IATF is chaired by the Interior and Local Government Secretary with the Justice Secretary as vice chairperson.

In an ambush interview with reporters, Malaya was asked what are the hindrances being encountered by the IATF. He mentioned that the economic cluster has reservations in the shift to a federal form of government.

"Meron sila, the DBM (Department of Budget and Management), NEDA (National Economic and Development Authority) and DOF (Department of Finance) all have reservations about this," Malaya said.

"Nandoon kami ngayon, di kami makacome out ng common position. Ang gusto sana namin is wala ng dissenting voices kasi nagugulo ang taong-bayan ano ang posisyon ng gobyerno," he added.

"Ang ano nila is the cost... magasto daw 'yung shift to a federal system..." Malaya said.

The Duterte administration envisioned a federal form of government in which the country would be divided into at least 17 regions.

Each region would be financed by its respective collection of taxes and fees; share in top revenue sources; an equalization fund; the national budget, and share from income sourced in natural resources. — RSJ, GMA News