House panel to submit draft federal constitution before yearned

SOUTHERN Leyte Representative Roger Mercado said his committee will submit to the House committee on rules a draft federal constitution this month.

Mercado chairs the House committee on constitutional admendments.

He expressed confidence Monday, December 4, that the House of Representatives will adopt the resolution seeking to create a constituent assembly that will discuss the government's shift to federalism in January 2018.

`I am confident House Concurrent Resolution No. 9 can be expedited and be ready by or before January 2018,” Mercado said in a statement.

House Resolution No. 9 seeks to compel the House of Representatives and the Senate to convene and draft the constitution being pushed by President Rodrigo Duterte.

Mercado explained that the draft resolution builds upon the proposal of the PDPLaban Federalism Institute.

“It is consistent with the ideas of President Rodrigo Duterte on what the new charter ought to have and contains solutions to the country's economic problems, especially poverty, the peace and order situation, and the fight against illegal drugs,” said Mercado.

“We have support from our colleagues in the House to get their approval on HCR No. 9 in the near-term and on the proposed amendments when Congress is convened as a constituent assembly,” he added. Duterted has vowed to push for a federal government since the 2016 campaign period to address issues hounding the Visayas and Mindanao.

He repeatedly vowed to stepped down from his post once a federal form of government is established.