‘No need to postpone 2019 polls amid federalism drive’

The prooposed shift to a federal form of government can still be pursued without postponing the 2019 midterm elections, according to a Palace official.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said a draft Charter could be presented to the people in a plebiscite to be simultaneously held with the elections in May 2019.

“Bagama’t ang Presidente po ay talagang para sa federal form of government ay pupuwede naman pong gawin iyan sa tamang panahon [Although the President supports a federal form of government, it can be implemented at the proper time],” Roque said in a television interview.

“Unang-una po, kung gusto talaga nilang iparating sa taumbayan iyong pagbabago ng gobyerno ay pupuwede naman pong isabay sa eleksyon ng 2019 iyong plebisito para sa bagong Saligang Batas [First, if they really want to present to the public the changes in government, this can be done simultaneously with the 2019 elections – the plebiscite for a new Constitution],” he added.

Roque maintained that President Duterte prefers the 2019 elections to proceed as scheduled, junking the “no-election” scenario floated by a pro- administration lawmaker.

“Tutol nga po ang Presidente sa no-el. Mas gusto niyang mageleksyon [The President is opposed to no-el. He would rather like to push through with the elections],” he said.

“Pinapangako po niya, ang eleksyon sa 2019 po ay isang magiging malinis at isang credible na eleksyon [He has promised to ensure a clean and credible elections in 2019],” he added.

Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez earlier said the 2019 elections could be postponed to pave the way for the transition to the federal form of government.

Alvarez wants Congress to convene as a constituent assembly and submit the new Charter to the people in a plebiscite this May.

Roque, however, said it was difficult to speculate on the postponement of the elections next year.

“The President’s assumption is we will have elections],” he said.