Vis-Min solons drafting the federal charter

Independent of the Commission created by Malacañang, the House of Representatives is drating its own version of the Constitution of the proposed Federal Government of the Philippines. To our mind, this is a proactive initiative of the Congress leadership under the guidance of the Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, who comes from Davao del Norte. The team members entrusted to do the drafting divided themselves into four Technical Working Groups (TWG). The first TWG is headed by Congresswoman Corazon Nunez-Malanyaon of the first district of Davao Oriental. The second is headed by Representative Fredenil Castro of Capiz. The third is led by Representative Alfredo Benitez of Negros Occidental, and the fourth is being chaired by freshman congressman, and retired Court of Appeals Justice, my good friend, Vicente "Ching" Veloso of the third district of Leyte.My immediate question is why is there no one from Cebu? And also, why is there no one from Luzon? Is this an intentionally reversed discrimination?

The first technical working group led by Congresswoman Malanyaon is tasked to review all present provisions concerning the legislative and executive branches of government, the sharing of political powers between the federal and the local governments, as well as the systems of taxation and allocation and sharing of financial resources. This is a very important group because it concerns the very essence of federalism. The output of this group will also influence the ultimate question of creating the Bangsa Moro and the issues on local autonomy.

The second group headed by Representative Castro will deal with provisions on the Judiciary, the Bill of Rights, citizenship, suffrage and the modes of amending the Constitution. This is also very crucial because it shall determine the checks and balances and the role of the judiciary in a parliamentary systems of government.

The third working group under the baton of Congressman Benitez shall rewrite the preamble, the declaration of principles and state policies, the general provisions, the transitory provisions and the national territory. This group is also very important because the definition of our national territory should reflect our exclusive economic zones and our victory in the International Arbitration Tribunal which upheld our position as explained by Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio of the Supreme Court and reinforced by former Congressman Roilo Golez, also from the Visayas, by the way, but who represented our district in BF Homes Parañaque. Congressman Benitez, being a representative of sugarlandia may change the flavor of the social justice provisions of our present Constitution.

The fourth group being led by Congressman Ching Veloso of Leyte is, to my mind, my favorite because it encompasses labor laws and social justice. This group will also handle education, science, national economy and patrimony, bill of duties, accountability of public officers and family. These are the provisions which used to be handled by our very own Hilario G. Davide Jr in 1973 and in 1986. I am happy that southern solons have taken initiative to influence the future generations by having some direct and meaningful roles in reshaping the government structures.The Luzon group reportedly already submitted their version through the House deputy majority floor leader, Pampanga Congressman Aurelio Gonzales and a Party-list Representative Michael de Vera. I hope the House group shall conduct public hearings so that we the silent masses shall have a forum to participate and help. It is our Constitution and this is our country.

We need to get involved.