Palace open to feedback on federalism

MANILA — Malacañang said the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte is open to receiving feedback from the public on the draft federal charter.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. said the government and the consultative committee tasked to review the 1987 Constitution are considering the comments of all stakeholders to improve the draft federal charter before it will be transmitted to the Congress.

“Even if the president was fully satisfied and has fully endorsed the product of the consultative committee, of course as part of the public discourse, we’re open to remarks and feedback from the general public,” Roque said in a press briefing Thursday.

The public can send their feedback to the Office of the President, Office of the Presidential Spokesperson or the Presidential Communications Operations Office.

“We will consider the feedback and if need be, we’ll incorporate to the proposal to the Congress,” Roque said.

He added: “We want it to be a reasoned and intelligent procedure.”

The concerns raised by economic managers prompted Duterte to ask for the public’s comments on the proposed federal constitution, Roque revealed.

“It started when members of the Cabinet expressed apprehensions over the economic aspect of the proposed draft,” he said.

Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia earlier stressed that while federalism could unlock economic benefits, it could also spell disaster for some reasons not prepared for such shift.

He added that it could “wreak havoc” on the country’s balance sheet.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez agreed with Pernia on the possible fiscal risks of the proposed change in the form of government.

“If we don’t manage this correctly, this can end up to be a fiscal nightmare. So I think the legislature, in its wisdom, can sort those issues out,” Dominguez said.