Pimentel to support Padilla’s Cha-cha panel chairmanship, push for federalism

Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III on Monday expressed support for Senator-elect Robin Padilla’s run for the chairmanship of the Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes, saying he will help the neophyte lawmaker on bills pushing for a federal type of government.

Pimentel, whose name is being floated as a possible Senate minority leader, made the statement of support after a “working dinner” with Padilla last week.

“Ang sabi ko sa kanya, ‘Sana makuha mo ‘yung committee na yan. I’m speaking not as a minority leader or minority but as a believer of federalism, kasi at least for the first time ang magiging chairman ng committee na ‘yan is an advocate for federalism ‘di ba?” Pimentel told reporters in an interview.

(I told him that I hope he gets the committee. I’m not speaking as a minority leader or a member of the minority but as a believer of federalism because at least for the first time the chairman of the Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendments is an advocate of federalism, right?)

The lawmaker said that having a federalism advocate chairing the Senate panel on charter change will ensure that the proposed bill will move forward in the upper house.

“Actually, siya ang makakatulong sa akin kung siya talaga ang magiging chairman kasi malaking bagay po ‘yon that the chairman is a believer of federalism. Ibig sabihin aandar, gagalaw ang proposal,” he said.

Pimentel also said that although they are "brothers in federalism," he would still debate Padilla on the measure, but that this would be a “supportive interpellation.”

“So, I’m excited for him and I’m excited for federalism also,” he added.

Even though Padilla got the support of one minority member in the 19th Congress, Pimentel said it is not an assurance that the bill for federalism will pass the Senate because the measure needs majority of the 24 senators’ votes.

Pimentel also expressed confidence that Padilla is capable of leading the Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendments, citing the latter’s preparations.

“Kaya niya kasi number one, naghahanda na siya and number two, nagre-ready na siya ng support staff. So kaya niya,” he said.

(He can do it because he is already preparing for it and he is already forming his support staff for it.)

The lawmaker also noted that the chairperson of the Senate’s major committee does not need to be a lawyer, arguing that even some members of the Constitutional Convention are not legal luminaries.

Last week, Padilla expressed confidence that he could lead the Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes. He also said the first bill that he would file in the Senate would push for a shift to a federal form of government.

Federalism was one of the campaign promises of outgoing President Rodrigo Duterte when he ran under PDP-Laban in 2016. However, he failed to push for it, saying Filipinos are not yet ready.

Several senators have advised Padilla to study more as he seeks the chairmanship of one of the major committees in the Senate.

Outgoing Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said the neophyte senator "needs a lot of schooling," noting that the chairperson of the Senate Constitutional Amendments and Revisions of Codes should have a wide legal knowledge.

Padilla was also seeking the chairmanship of the Senate Committee on Social Justice, Welfare, and Rural Development in the next Congress, according to Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri. — BM, GMA News