Federalism movement starts in Cebu’s 1st district
Mayors from the Visayas and Mindanao showed their support for federalism before some 5,000 municipal and barangay leaders during the launching of the Cebuano Movement for Federalism (CemFed) in the City of Naga last Saturday.
Rep. Gerard Anthony “Samsam” Gullas and Tuburan Mayor Democrito Diamante, who is president of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines Cebu Chapter, led the activity, which was held two days before President Rodrigo Duterte’s visit to Cebu today.
CemFed and the National Movement for Federalism (NamFed) will be launched in all districts of Cebu.
CemFed is chaired by Cordova Mayor Mary Therese Sitory Cho while NamFed is headed by Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Danilo Lim.
Aside from Diamante and Cho, other Cebu mayors who attend- ed the launching include Sibonga Mayor Caroline Bacaltos, San Fernando Mayor Nanette Reluya, Naga City Mayor Kristine Chiong, Minglanilla Mayor Peña and Talisay City Mayor Eduardo Gullas.
Also present were the other local chief executives in the Visayas and Mindanao who head the NamFed in their areas. These include Mayor Dan Villa (Siquijor chapter), Mayor Allen Piezas (Bohol chapter), Mayor Edsel Enardecido (Negros Oriental chapter), Mayor Allan Contado (Eastern Samar chapter), Mayor Oliver Ranque (Southern Leyte chapter) and Mayor Rey Tamayo (North Cotabato chapter).
Diamante said the next district launch of CemFed will be in the fifth district. It will be held in Danao City.
Diamante believes that the movement to shift to a federal form of government will snowball next month, considering that it is being supported by mayors who have their own followers. /