President Rodrigo Duterte’s proposed plan to shift to a federal form of government would be set aside for now as the government veers its full attention on taming the soaring prices of commodities, Malacañang said on Thursday.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said the administration opted to prioritize addressing inflation right now, noting that a lot of work is still needed for the government’s federalism push.

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“Right now the foremost priority of the administration is fighting inflation. So everything is sidelined now… Even the administration acknowledges na mas importanteng harapin ‘yung issue na malapit sa sikmura ng taumbayan [It is much important to address the issues that are closer to the stomach of the people],” Roque said in a Palace briefing.

“Bagama’t hindi po natin inaabandona ang pederalismo, darating tayo d’yan. Pero alam po natin na kinakailangan pa ng mas maraming diskusyon, mas marami pang pag-aaral at mas marami pang dissemination na dapat gawin para sa pederalismo,” he added.

(Although we are not abandoning federalism, we will arrive there. But we all know that it needs a lot of discussion, more study and dissemination needed for federalism.)

Roque made the statement after Charter change landed at the bottom of Filipinos’ concerns, according to a survey from Pulse Asia. Inflation, meanwhile, was ranked as the most pressing issue the government should address immediately.

READ: Survey: 63% of Filipinos want gov’t to address rising costs of commodities

The Palace official noted that the Duterte administration is determined in addressing inflation citing the four orders recently signed by the President, which seek to ease the importation and release of agricultural products in the market.

“Kinikilala po namin ang problema sa pagtaas ng presyo, pero ang aming assurance po ay hindi po natutulog sa pansitan ang ating Presidente… last Tuesday sinabi ko po ‘yung apat na issuance ng Presidente para labanan po itong pagtaas ng presyo ng mga bilihin,” Roque said.

(We are acknowledging the problem in the rising cost of commodities, but what we assure you is that the President is not sleeping on the job… last Tuesday I mentioned the four issuances of the President to address the rising of prices.)

Roque said the government is optimistic that the effects of this efforts will be felt.

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READ: Duterte paves way for importing agri goods

However, Roque noted that once Congress finished its budget deliberations next month, it can discuss the proposed Charter change.

“Matapos ang budget [hearing] pwedeng mapag-usapan muli ang pederalismo… [After the budget hearing we can again talk about federalism]. Right now ang Kongreso po ay talagang nagmamadali para maipasa ‘yung budget by October 8 which is ‘yung self-imposed deadline,” he said. /jpv

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