Watch also in iWant or TFC.tv

MANILA - The National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) is "willing to support" President Rodrigo Duterte's call for federalism, but warned that it will not succeed if warlords and members of political dynasties are elected into office.

NDFP senior legal consultant Atty. Rachel Pastores noted that under a federal system, government units will have their own budget which they will not be required to submit to the national government as they implement projects on their own.

"If those elected are the warlords or those involved in political dynasties, then it might not succeed as what the president envisioned it to be," she said.

She maintained, if a leader is committed to improving his own area, federalism might work because he can focus on his own province and will not have rely on the Congress for his budget allotment.

"You can make your own programs, industrialize your own areas, but that would entail a really committed leader to be able to do that. The danger is if the leader is like most of what we have now, that is only interested on his own survival and interest," she said.