LMP convention on federalism opens at Manila Hotel

The League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) opened its general assembly at the Manila Hotel yesterday, March 19, focusing on the theme “Federalism Now.”

The assembly, which will be held until March 21, is expected to gather the organization’s 1,400 mem-

bers, LMP national president Ma. Fe Brondial, mayor of Socorro, Oriental Mindoro, said.

President Duterte will be the guest of honor and keynote speaker on the last day of the convention on March 21.

The assembly will urge the national government, especially the House of Representatives and the Senate, to prioritize the amendments to the 1987 Constitution in order to realize the shift to a federal form of government.

Brondial emphasized that now is the perfect time to amend the Constitution, with President Duterte at the helm of the national government. "The President and the leaders of Congress are destined to make federalism happen. The mayors support the move to federalism and will rally the people behind the shift to a new system of government.”

LMP Spokesman Mayor Don Abalon said that the mayors are looking forward to the prospects of genuine autonomy and decentralization under federalism.

The LMP’s general assembly will be the venue for mayors all over the country to advance their support for the programs of the Duterte administration, particularly its fight against criminality, drugs, corruption, and the push for federalism.

“Both houses of Congress have now started to conduct consultations in different parts of the country. He said that the mayors, who are in direct contact with the people, would like their voices to be heard in discussions on federalism,” Abalon said.

The LMP general assembly is an annual event participated in by municipal mayors of the country.

With the theme "Federalism Now," the LMP underscores the urgency of instituting change in the country through federalism.