Speaking before the remains of Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, President Rodrigo Duterte reiterated his vow to step down as president once a federal form of government is installed in the country. If we can perfect the Constitution, I’ll personally see that it is really implemented and placed well,” the President said. Mr. Duterte explained that he was pushing for a federal form of government because the current unitary system had only resulted in the concentration of power and resources in Manila. The President said resources should be distributed fairly to the country’s different regions “to avoid bad blood. That’s what I have to see, the transition.”If the federal system is not established, Mr. Duterte doubted that the people of Mindanao, particularly the Moros, would accept it.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer October 23, 2017 23:03 UTC