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MANILA - The federal constitution drafted by the House of Representative is nothing but fake federalism with self-serving provisions, a professor on public policy said Tuesday.

Eduardo Araral, a professor at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy in Singapore, believes lawmakers who drafted the charter failed to do enough study before approving it on 2nd reading.

"It's not grand, and it's not a bargain. It's all pansarili. 'Amin-amin' lang. Anyone who has read that draft would think that makasarili itong version na 'to. Walang big reforms," he told ANC.

Araral pointed out that the draft charter does not create federal states at all, as opposed to original federalism idea, as it leaves the choice of becoming one to the regions or provinces.

The professor, who was part of the PDP-Laban federalism study group, said lawmakers should have read the Consultative Committee or PDP-Laban studies before coming up with their own draft.

"It's also fake federalism because it's not really federalism in the true sense of the word. It's an evolving form of federalism. 'Yung formula nila is 'yung let regions decide for themselves," he said.

"This model of federalism, this evolutionary model, will not work. The simple reason is this: why would this province agree in a merger with a poorer province?" he added.

Araral also pointed out the "self-serving" portion in the House draft charter, like the lifting of term limits, and the removal of the political dynasty ban.

He hopes President Rodrigo Duterte will speak on his preference soon just to be clear if he is pushing for the version of the House or his Consultative Committee.

Federalism is a key campaign promise of Duterte in a bid to spur development in the regions, decentralizing power from what he calls "Imperial Manila."