President Rodrigo Duterte (Rey Baniquet/Presidential Photo)
Whether or not the federal form of government is adopted, President Rodrigo Duterte wants to change the 1987 Constitution, and fast.
“We have to change the Constitution…whether federal or not,” Duterte was quoted as saying during the oath-taking of newly appointed officials in Malacañan Palace recently.
On June 26, the President said: “If you do not want federalism, fine… but change the Constitution, that would really change this nation.”
Indicating continued interest on federalism in Malacañang, Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo expressed optimism for a shift to the federal form of government, with three years left in the President’s term.
“There is always the light at the end of the tunnel,” Panelo told reporters.
Charter change was stalled in Congress amid opposition from senators. The House of Representatives passed its version of a federal constitution in December 2018, ignoring a draft prepared by a constitutional review body appointed by Malacañang. (Jojo Mangahis)