Duterte forms task force for P90-M federalism blit z

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has created a task force mandated to go on a “massive information drive” at a cost of P90 million on the shift to federalism, according to Malacañang.

On Thursday, former Chief Justice Reynato Puno, chairman of the government’s Consultative Committee (Con-Com) tasked to craft the draft the federal charter, said the President would be forming an inter-governmental group for the purpose.

In a news briefing in Zamboanga Sibugay, Palace spokesman Harry Roque Jr. confirmed this, saying the task force already met with him and Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea on Tuesday.

Roque cited a recent Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey that showed only one out of four Filipinos is aware of a federal system of government.

Another survey by Pulse Asia bared that majority of Filipinos oppose the moves of the government to shift to federalism.

The poll conducted from June 15 to 21 showed that 62 percent of Filipinos do not want Charter change, which would effect federalism.

It also showed that 69 percent of Filipinos know little or nothing about the proposed shift to federalism.

- get for dissemination for the work of the Consultative Committee and that we have initially agreed on a strategy. We will bring down the dissemination level to the barangay [ village], we will focus on training the trainers and we will utilize mass media for this dissemination,” Roque said.

that there’s a need for dissemination insofar as it shows that an overwhelming majority don’t know anything about federalism, we have accepted the challenge and we will embark on this massive information drive,” he added.

Roque said the initial budget for the task force is P90 million, with P10 million allocated to the Presidential Communications Operations Office for production purposes.

During his third State of the Nation Address, Duterte ex will support the government’s move to shift the current form of government to federalism.

“I am confident the Filipino people will stand behind us as we introduce this new fundamental law that will not only strengthen our democratic institutions but also create an environment for every Filipino regardless of his status, religion or ideology we will have an equal opportunity to grow and create a future,” he said.

Duterte thanked the 22-man ConCom that crafted the draft of the new Charter, particularly Puno and former Senate President Aquilino Pimentel 3rd.

The committee is also composed of Susan Ubalde- Ordinario, Arthur Aguilar, Eddie Alih, Fr. Ranhilio Aquino, Antonio Arellano, Ali Pangalian Balindong, Virgilio Bautista, Ferdinand Bocobo, Reuben Canoy, Roan Libarios, Jose Martin Loon, Antonio Nachura, Randolph Parcasio, Bienvenido Reyes, Rex Robles, Rodolfo Robles, Victor de la Serna, Edmund Tayao, Julio Teehankee and Laurence Wacnang.