Palace eyes two-pronged tack on ‘federalism’ Cha-cha

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang is eyeing a two-pronged approach to amending the 1987 Constitution for federalism: one for a peace deal with secessionists, and another for a shift of form of government. Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesman Jesus Dureza said Tuesday that the first can be done before 2010 and through a Constituent Assembly while the second may go beyond 2010. "During her term what is possible is (the) Constituent Assembly of Congress at dalawa yan, Senado at House, magde-determine anong provision ng Constitution ang ma-amend natin to bring about the Bangsamoro Juridical Entity. Yung federalism for the whole country will take place (in a) Constitutional Convention. Yan mahabang proseso yan, maisabatas ng Kongreso to call for (a) Constitutional Convention," Dureza said in a radio interview on dzXL radio. (During President Arroyo's term, what is possible is a Constituent Assembly of both houses of Congress to bring about the Bangsamoro Juridical Entity. But federalism for the whole country will need a constitutional convention, and that may go beyond her term in 2010.)" But he admitted the Palace wants to start the ball rolling for both types of federalism during President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's term. President Arroyo is to step down in June 2010. Dureza also admitted that the Palace is aware of criticisms from various sectors that Charter change is being pushed to extend President Arroyo's term beyond 2010. "These are reform agendas we would like to see start. They can conclude even beyond the term of the president," he said. Supreme Court TRO Dureza said the BJE's federalism will depend on the pace of negotiations with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, but at present the talks are stalled. The talks stalled last week after the Supreme Court issued a temporary restraining order against the signing of a memorandum of agreement on ancestral domain (MOA-AD). Dureza said such a move for federalism for the BJE can be done through a constituent assembly, which he said "can be done by Congress only and expeditiously." But as for a nationwide shift to federalism, he said it will not be as "surgical" as federalism for BJE. "In the bigger picture, federalism for the whole country, it may require a Constitutional Convention," he said. Dureza said that while some may also agree a constituent assembly can do the trick for the nationwide shift to federalism, his "personal take" is that it may require a constitutional convention. "It can happen after the term of the president or before the term expire, personal assessment ko (my personal assessment is that) we can start electing constitutional convention delegates sabay sa (at the same time as) 2010," he said. "All this will take place after the term of the president expired," he added. - GMANews.TV