Updated @ 12:45 a.m., Aug. 13, 2018

CATBALOGAN CITY—Take it from President Rodrigo Duterte’s most trusted aide and confidant: Federalism is a “long shot.”

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Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go, the President’s most trusted aide, admitted that the move to change the form of government to federalism appeared to have little or no chance of winning since most Filipinos were not aware about it and its benefits.

Sen. Cynthia Villar, administration ally, seemed to agree with Go, saying fellow senators were not too keen on the issue of charter change that would

allow a shift to a federal form of government.

Both Villar and Go were here on Saturday to grace the 177th Samar Day.

Other concerns

Go said in an interview that the people were more concerned about peace and order and issues concerning the President’s statements than federalism.

Go said there was a need to intensify the campaign on federalism since Filipinos were not in favor of it since they were not knowledgeable about it.

Villar, on the other hand, said she noticed that most senators were lukewarm on the moves to amend the Constitution.

She, however, stressed that while a majority of the senators appeared to oppose charter change, they have yet to discuss and tackle the issue.

Citing a “divergence of opinion” between Malacañang and the government’s economic managers, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said his committee would take an “in-depth look into the potential impact that the proposed shift to federalism would have on the Philippine economy.”

Senate inquiry

The inquiry is on the strength of Senate Resolution No. 823, filed by Gatchalian, seeking to look into the economic risks and opportunities of the move to revise the 1987 Constitution and federalize the bureaucracy.

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The panel will also look into the proposal’s impact on “regional economic growth, additional fiscal costs of the shift to federalism, effects on investments due to emerging issues on the imposition of additional taxes, administration of incentives, and repercussions on ease of doing business in the country.”

In filing the resolution, Gatchalian noted the difference of opinion between government economic managers – who said the country was not yet ready for a change in the system of government – and Malacañang, which argued that the federal shift would have no adverse effect on the economy.

“In view of these conflicting claims, the Senate must be given an opportunity to evaluate the economic implications of the proposed shift to a federal system of government,” Gatchalian said.

4-way test

Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto on Sunday said the officials raising revenues and managing the economy were in a good position to comment on the plan to federalize the bureaucracy, as they “can provide a reality check if a proposal is financially feasible and fundable.”

“Before we communicate what federalism is, can we not first calculate what its cost will be?” he added.

Recto said every proposal, including federalism, should undergo a fiscal responsibility check.

“It’s like a four-way test. What is the cost to implement it? Do we have the money for it? Do we have to raise tax or impose fees or create savings or borrow money? What is the per capita burden it will impose?” he said. /ee /pdi /atm

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