MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang remains optimistic that Congress will pass a measure amending the Constitution and adopting a federal system of government even if it is not a priority of the Senate.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III previously said the chamber has no time to tackle bills on federalism, saying they want to focus on the proposed 2019 national budget.

Sotto added that a controversial issue like Charter change (Cha-cha) should not be rushed.

But presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo remained optimistic, saying: “Everything is possible if there is political will.”

Panelo said while President Duterte has been advocating for the shift to federalism, Congress has the final say on the matter.

“It’s the call of Congress. If they believe in the President, they will perform their duty and continue what they started,” Panelo said.

Panelo said shifting to a federal system of government remains a priority of the Duterte administration.

“The disposition of the Senate with respect to this proposal should be understood along with its current and tight situation of addressing the 2019 budget with not too ample time to spare,” Panelo said in a statement.

“We thus expect the Senate to support the President’s desire for a federal form of government thereafter and see the wisdom of changing the system of government as part of society’s transformation for the betterment of all the Filipinos,” he added.

Panelo also expressed optimism that the 2019 national budget would be passed before Congress goes on Christmas recess.

He noted that senators who support the administration’s efforts have vowed to work 12 hours a day starting this week to tackle the expenditure program.

“It is the Filipino people who will ultimately benefit from the passage of the budget; hence, we are positive that the rest will follow suit,” the presidential spokesman said.

With regard to the alleged “insertions” in the budget, Panelo said the issue is a matter that Congress has to discuss, review and deliberate upon.

“The Palace acknowledges the independence of Congress on these matters and we manifest our respect as regards its competence in enacting the budget,” Panelo added.

Panelo, however, said it was not surprising that the Senate would prioritize the passage of the proposed P3.757-trillion national budget.

“They said (Cha-cha) is not a priority. That is not unusual because the approval of the national budget has a deadline; otherwise, we will operate under a reenacted budget,” Duterte’s spokesman said.

Officials have expressed concern that a reenacted budget could delay the implementation of key government projects.

Duterte has warned that failure to adopt federalism could worsen the conflict in Mindanao and strengthen the recruitment of extremists who exploit the issues raised by Muslims in the south.

The President has argued that the unitary form of government, introduced by Philippines colonizers, has resulted in the concentration of power in Manila and caused underdevelopment of parts of Mindanao.