Tuesday, 09 August 2016 16:07

Congress may vote separately in con-ass

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Congressional leaders on Tuesday met to talk about how the two chambers would vote in amending the Constitution.

Congress, sitting as a constituent assembly (con-ass), may propose amendments by a three-fourths vote of all its members.

Published in News

MANILA, Philippines – President Duterte can do away with the multibillion-peso cost of holding a constitutional convention (con-con) if the number of delegates is reduced to 80 or even 18, according to Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman.

Published in News

ILOILO CITY — An official of the Catholic Church in Iloilo is opposing a move led by President Duterte to amend the Constitution through a Constituent Assembly (Con-ass).

“A Con-ass is dangerous because this could be exploited by politicians for their personal and political agenda,” said Monsignor Meliton Oso, executive director of the Jaro Archdiocese Social Action Center.

Published in News
As the Philippines transits to a Federal State (hopefully by a Constitutional Convention) it will become important to start thinking of government assets and facilities in terms of their being Federal or Regional in character. While some government assets and facilities are clearly National like the NAIA airport or military camps, others, like the Clark Development Corporation (CDC) OR SBMA are clearly only Regional in character, meaning the impact of operations hardly goes beyond the region.
Published in Commentaries
Wednesday, 03 August 2016 12:22

Commentary to French Model of Federalism

While President Digong Duterte gave a really great State of the Nation Address yesterday (making his predecessor look totally petty and incompetent), one little bit of his talk caught the attention of specialists, experts and other people deeply involved in the practice of Comparative Government...
Published in Commentaries
Friday, 29 July 2016 18:34

Pursuing Federalism: Cebu and Pampanga

A Conference on Federal-Parliamentary system has been successfully held for the fourth and fifth time in the city of Cebu and San Fernando, Pampanga.

With its consistent banner, “Pursuing Federalism: A Shift from Unitary - Presidential to Federal - Parliamentary Government”, the two recently held FedCons were able to converge various individuals in the locality in its goal to provide feasible recommendations to President Duterte’s administration in his Federal advocacy.
Published in Recent Activities
Friday, 29 July 2016 12:06

Con-Ass replacing Con-Con

There will be no constitutional convention (ConCon), as leaders of Congress have decided to transform the legislative body into a constituent assembly (ConAss) for the purpose of amending the 1987 Constitution.

“It was agreed that Congress will simply form a constitutional assembly to revise the Constitution. There is nothing to worry about because consultations with the people will be ensured,” Speaker Pantaleon “Bebot” Alvarez disclosed before the Management Association of the Philippines yesterday in Makati City.
Published in News
Wednesday, 27 July 2016 18:18

Federalism promotes better governance

I had to fly to Manila to play in the Aboitiz Media Golf on Tuesday, hence I had to do an advance column, which means, I cannot talk about the first State of the Nation Address of President Rodrigo "Digong" Duterte. Anyway, I'm sure that you can read that report in the front page of this newspaper or in the national newspapers.
Published in Commentaries
Wednesday, 27 July 2016 17:49

A forum on pursuing federalism

Change has really come even for me. Usually, my Saturdays are sacred as it used to be my golfing day, which is considered “my day off.” Well, last Saturday, after my medical check up, instead of heading towards the golf course, I joined the forum entitled, “Pursuing Federalism: A Shift from Unitary-Presidential to Federal-Parliamentary Government held at the Elizabeth Hotel sponsored by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce & Industry Inc. (PCCI), Centrist Democracy Political Institute, Cebu Chamber of Commerce & Industry Inc. (CCCI) and the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung.
Published in Commentaries
The long wait is over.

The public can finally gain greater access to government documents, including Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) of government officials, after President Rodrigo Duterte signed into law the historic on Freedom of Information (FOI) as promised.
Published in News
Page 4 of 8