President Rodrigo Duterte will not hesitate to campaign against the shift to federalism if Congress will introduce amendments which he believes are against the interest of the Filipino people. Malacañang made this statement after consultative committee chair, ex-Chief Justice Reynato Puno, criticized the House of Representatives’ version of the proposed federal Charter. ADVERTISEMENTPuno previously called the House version of the proposed federal Constitution a disaster and a “falsified federalism” as it lacked certain provisions from the draft submitted by the constitutional commission. At a press briefing, Panelo urged lawmakers to listen to Puno and what he had to say on the proposed federal charter passed by the House. Malacañang was hopeful that the Senate will come up with a good version of the proposed federal Constitution.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer December 14, 2018 23:15 UTC