Incoming head of state of the Republic of the Philippines, Pres. Duterte to push Federalism over the controversial Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) which will be taking a backseat according to the statement released by the former Davao City Mayor’s candidate for House Speaker on Thursday.
Watch the Interview of Karen Davila with Rep. Alvarez:
The incoming Davao del Norte Representative Pantaleon Alvarez who eyes for speakership in the Lower House revealed that the concept of the BBL will be part of the shift to a Federal Form of Government. He was quoted as saying “The BBL will be absorbed by the federal form of government, kasi pareho ‘yun e. Yung concept ng BBL is the same dun sa federal form of government,” said Alvarez Thursday.
In an interview with ANC’s Headstart hosted by Karen Davila, Congressman Alvarez said that the current administration took the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) for a ride with the unrealistic promise of passing the BBL as part of the peace process without charter change.
“How can you implement the provisions of the BBL without amending the constitution? You cannot do it because there are provisions in the BBL that [run] contrary to the provisions of the constitution,” he said, adding it would have been struck down by the Supreme Court for unconstitutionality.
To rectify this, Alvarez said they will amend the constitution in the 17th Congress “to provide what is inside the agreement of the BBL.” A constituent assembly, he said, seems to be the cheapest way to enact these amendments.
President Rody Duterte, the first Philippine President from Mindanao campaign for Federalism as the unifying peace framework for the country. The presumptive president seems to favor a federal-parliamentary model of government, but hasn’t specifically assigned the regions to be named as states.
According to Rep. Alvarez in a Federal Form of Government, most of the state’s income is retained, with only a quarter being remitted to the national government for its upkeep of national defense and foreign affairs.
