Congress urged to present timetable for federalism

Gatchalian stressed that he is against the proposal to postpone or cancel the scheduled May 2019 national and local elections.
(Photo: Senator Win Gatchalian/Facebook)

MANILA — Both chambers of the Congress should present a “realistic and workable” timetable to get the push for a shift to a federal form of government, a senator urged Monday.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian made this call noting that he would personally want to look into details noting that the idea of federalism being floated over the news is “broad.”

“We need to be clear with the details and not rush the process,” Gatchalian, an ally of President Rodrigo Duterte, said.

Gatchalian, meanwhile, stressed that he is against the proposal to postpone or cancel the scheduled May 2019 national and local elections.

House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez earlier floated the idea of a no-election scenario should federalism pushes through.

“The democratic functions of our government should not be put on hold for any reason, not even for a charter change. The May 2019 elections must go ahead as scheduled,” Gatchalian said.

“We should observe checks and balances as co-equal chambers of Congress, and therefore separate voting on the draft Constitution should no longer be put into question,” Gatchalian said.

He also urged both chambers of the Congress to respect each other’s independence and separately start with their own deliberations on the proposed amendments.

“We should observe checks and balances as co-equal chambers of Congress, and therefore separate voting on the draft Constitution should no longer be put into question,” he added.