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Senate to block term extension attempts


MANILA, Philippines - The Senate will block attempts to insert term extensions for incumbent officials in pursuing the shift to the federal form of government. Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Q. Pimentel, Jr., principal author of Joint Resolution 10 that seeks to convene Congress into a Constituent Assembly to effect the constitutional change, said there are "safeguards" in his proposal against introducing other issues beyond federalism. He said the Senate can block moves by over 140 congressional allies to extend the term of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. "I won’t let anyone ride on the issue and use my resolution for anybody’s hidden agenda. [The proposal] is not for the term extension of [the President]," he said, citing provisions in his resolution requiring separate deliberations and voting by the Senate and the House. Contrary to proposals from his colleagues, Mr. Pimentel said in a radio interview Congress should adopt a federal form of government before the 2010 national and local elections "so that I can monitor the discussions." Malacañang last week backed the Senate resolution, but opposition lawmakers doubted the motive as a ploy to extend the term of Mrs. Arroyo. Even administration Senator Richard J. Gordon, chairman of the committee on constitutional amendments, revision of codes and laws, said it will be unlikely that the federalism bid will get bipartisan Senate support. He added the scheduled public hearings on the proposal in two to three weeks will be held "out of respect so that I can see what [Mr. Pimentel] means with the resolution." "My position is clear that Charter change should be after 2010. Federalism is important but I don’t think it will be passed in the Senate before 2010," said Mr. Gordon in a separate radio interview. Under Resolution 10, the country will have 11 federal states, namely, Northern Luzon, Central Luzon, Southern Tagalog, Bicol, Minparom (Mindoro, Palawan and Romblon), Eastern Visayas, Central Visayas, Western Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Southern Mindanao and Bangsamoro that will share 80% of the national income. The remaining 20% will be given to the central federal state of Metro Manila. Opposition Senator Rodolfo G. Biazon was the only signatory in the resolution who has so far withdrawn his support, and opposition Senators Panfilo M. Lacson and Jose "Jinggoy" E. Estrada have threatened to withdraw their signatures if Malacañang will use the proposal to extend Mrs. Arroyo’s stay in power beyond 2010. The other signatories are Senate President Manuel B. Villar, Jr., Majority Leader Francis N. Pangilinan, Edgardo J. Angara, Pilar Juliana "Pia" S. Cayetano, Juan Ponce Enrile, Francis Joseph G. Escudero, Gregorio B. Honasan II, Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid, Loren B. Legarda, Ramon "Bong" B. Revilla, Jr. and Juan Miguel F. Zubiri, although some have expressed reservations. A counterpart measure has been filed by Cebu Rep. Antonio V. Cuenco (2nd district). Business support Meanwhile, the Visayan business community backed the federal government proposal to allow for better responses to regions outlined in last week’s business conference. The improvement of power supplies and transportation infrastructure in the Visayas were among the concerns raised in the 17th Visayas Area Business Conference called on Friday. "We support federalism as a form of government because regions will be given autonomous power to implement and fast-track development programs," Jose T. Ng, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry area vice-president for the Visayas, told BusinessWorld Sunday. "But there is need for consultations with the public before the change is implemented." Mr. Ng said the resolutions during the business conference will be best met under federalism, including rising cost of electricity and the need to fast-track the National Biofuel Program. Delegates also called for the need to support infrastructure development. While citing Mrs. Arroyo for the road projects in Cebu, the business group pointed out other unfilled needs particularly the rehabilitation of the San Juanico strip and the Daniel Z. Romualdez airport in Tacloban City, Leyte province. The group also requested increased support for small and medium enterprises, proposing that a percentage of state revenue be given to the sector. The resolutions will form part of the larger recommendation of the Philippine Business Conference that will be submitted to the President. - BusinessWorld
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