Nograles: Duterte not talking Chacha with Cabinet

President Rodrigo Duterte is not discussing Charter change with his Cabinet members amid the country’s fight against COVID-19 pandemic, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said Thursday.

Nograles made the comments as Interior Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya claimed that Charter change, which seeks to give more autonomy and resources to LGU’s control, has the support of over 1,000 local government unit leaders.

“Walang binabanggit ang Pangulo sa Charter change. That is something that he has not spoken to us about,” Nograles said in an ANC interview.

Nograles said Charter change is also not being discussed within the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases, the policy making body for the government’s COVID-19 response.

“Hindi namin pinag-uusapan ‘yan sa IATF. Alam  naman po namin that it is in the realm of Congress,” Nograles said.

Nograles said that as stakeholders, the DILG is mandated to consider and understand the recommendations of the LGUs.

Still, Nograles said that such efforts is not getting a backing from the Executive department so far.

“At the end of the day, it is within the realm of Congress,” Nograles added.

Earlier, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said Charter change in not a priority at this time amid the prevailing pandemic. — Llanesca T. Panti/RSJ, GMA News