Part 1 of 3

There are no clearer marching orders given to Congress than the pronouncement of President Rodrigo Duterte in his recent SONA that the Philippines should adopt a federal-parliamentary government modeled after France, with a “strong” President. Federalism was a major rallying cry for then presidential candidate Digong (the other was peace and order). We are looking at a leader who is keeping his word.

MANILA, Philippines – In his proposal for a federal Republic of the Philippines, former Senate President Aquilino Pimentel Jr is eyeing the creation of 11 federal states, while keeping a presidential form of government and increasing the number of elected senators.

Rappler - Former members of the 2005 consultative commission from CDPI on Vimeo.

MANILA, Philippines – Eleven years after a consultative commission (ConCom) was formed to study amendments to the 1987 Constitution, its former members are backing the proposal of President-elect Rodrigo Duterte to shift to a federal form of government.

Academicians and former members of the 2005 ConCom discussed the features of the proposed charter change during a conference organized by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) and the Centrist Democracy Political Institute (CDPI) on Friday, June 10.