PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte’s proposal for a federal system of government finally started moving as the House of Representatives’ committee on constitutional amendments created four technical working groups, composed of its members, which will draft the Philippine Federal Constitution.
Each of the four groups will handle specific areas to be covered in the drafting of the new Federal Constitution, according to Southern Leyte Rep. Roger Mercado, the panel chairperson.
TWG 1, chaired by Rep. Corazon Nuñez-Malanyaon of Negros Oriental, will handle the provisions on the Executive-Legislative (Articles VI and VII); New article on Federal and Regional Powers, Numbers of States; and Local Government and Taxation/Allocation of Resources (Article X).
TWG 2, chaired by Deputy Speaker Fredenil Castro of Capiz, will draft the provisions on the Judiciary (Article VIII); Amendments or Revisions (Article XVII); Suffrage (Article V), Citizenship (Article IV); and Bill of Rights (Article III).
TWG 3, chaired by Rep. Alfredo Benitez of Negros Occidental, will prepare the Preamble; National Territory (Article I); Declaration of Principles and State Policies (Article II); General Provisions (Article XVI); and Transitory Provisions (Article XVIII).
Lastly, TWG 4, chaired by Rep. Vicente Veloso of Leyte, will handle Social Justice, Labor and Others (Article XIII); Education, Science and Others (Article XIV); National Economy and Patrimony (Article XII); New article on the Bill of Duties; Accountability of Public Officials (Article XI); and Family (Article XV).
Mercado said the committee found it prudent to come up with a draft Philippine Federal Constitution to guide the House members when they deliberate on proposals to shift from unitary to federal system.
Mercado said discussions on federalism should focus on providing solutions to the country’s economic problems, especially poverty, the peace and order situation, and the fight against illegal drugs.
Several lawmakers came up with their respective suggestions on how the TWG could function effectively in drafting the President’s proposal for a shift to federal form of government.
Rep. Lord Allan Velasco of Marinduque proposed that the committee should ask the House members to provide their inputs in the drafting of the new Federal Constitution so that the various TWGs could incorporate them in their deliberations.
Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. of Negros Oriental suggested that a member of a particular TWG might also submit proposals to the other TWGs, even if he is not a member of such groups.
Rep. Tricia Nicole Velasco-Catera of MATA party-list recommended that the various TWGs consult the various government agencies during their deliberations to come up with a more comprehensive draft Charter.
Veloso suggested the committee should increase the membership of TWG 1, as the areas it would handle formed the essence of the federal system.
Castro said the TWGs should work closely with the Constitutional Commission that President Rodrigo Duterte plans to establish in order to avoid duplication of efforts.
Jonathan Malaya, Executive Director of the PDP Federalism Institute, turned over to Mercado the draft “Constitution of the Federal Republic of the Philippines,” for consideration by the various TWGs created by the House panel.
Malaya said the draft Federal Charter was prepared by PDP Federalism Committee Group, composed of individuals from various sectors, among which are the academe, civil society, and the legal profession.
