EdPam speaks at the Senate

After his successful delivery of the short but brief State of the City Address at the new legislative building of Angeles City, League of Cities of the Philippines President Edgardo D. Pamintuan attended a hearing at the Philippine Senate on constitutional reforms and electoral code revisions before the committee of Senator Franklin Drilon. Mayor EdPam was one of the resource speakers together with former Senate President Nene Pimentel, Executive Secretary to the President Atty. Salvador “Bingbong” Medialdea and former Justice of the Supreme Court, Vicente Mendoza (EdPam’s former boss at the Office of Solicitor General). Good old memories rekindled when Pamintuan worked with then ASG Vicente Mendoza at the OSG when the office was still located at Padre Faura, at the Department of Justice building.

Just last week, President Rodrigo Duterte signed the executive order to revisit the old constitution to pave the way for a federal form of government. At the Senate committee on constitutional amendments and revision of codes hearing, together with the committee on electoral reforms, the executive secretary said the names of 25 individuals (to form the executive committee) should already be given to the Office of the President so there will be nominations from different sectors of society.

Also discussed at the Senate hearing was the learning the best way for amending the charter whether through a Con-Con or a Con-Ass.

For his part, LCP President Ed Pamintuan said: “Let go and change the constitution in its entirety… Revision not Amendments… the 1987 Constitution is a product of the martial law years. The fear of reimposition of martial rule and the fear that graft and corruption will not be abated anymore were the main causes for the revolutionary government and the formulation of the 1987 constitution. That was 30 years ago. Thus the present constitution is incongruous or anachronistic in the contemporary setting in the Philippines.”

And after seeing the Top 8 World Mayor in the Senate rubbing elbows with other great minds and top officials of the nation, words began to circulate that EdPam might consider running for the Senate in the future especially if the federalism type of government would pursue.

With all his extensive experience, his passion to govern, the style of leadership, with his high quality of integrity, the idea is not far-fetched at all.

About a week ago, Angeleños from here and even as far as United States were calling me to verify some info they received that Mayor EdPam will be appointed for DILG. There were talks about it from top officials in the Palace but right now, the LCP president is keen on accepting the Regional Development Council as the chairman rather than engaging in the interior local government department. That way, he can serve his constituents in Angeles City more efficiently especially on the upcoming infrastructure projects including the Abacan Development Corridor that will connect east and west Angeles to SCTEx/ NLEx; the East Circumferential Road; the interchange/ flyover from NLEx Angeles City tollgate to MacArthur Highway; and the Cuayan Bridge connecting to SCTEx.