President Rodrigo Duterte’s brother Emmanuel “Don” Duterte spearheads the People’s Initiative for Federalism at the USP-F gym. (CDN PHOTO/LITO TECSON).
THE People’s Initiative for Federalism (PIF) was officially launched yesterday at University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) campus in Salinas Drive, Lahug, Cebu City.
Spearheaded by President Rodrigo Duterte’s younger brother, Emmanuel “Don” Duterte, PIF aims to spread the advocacy of changing the system of government in the country.
Don said they were gathering other groups in Cebu that are also pushing for a federal system of government.
He was joined by former Cebu Vice Governor Enrique Rama, who discussed federalism with 1,000 youth and senior citizens in Metro Cebu who attended the launching and forum.
Senators Manny Pacquiao and Peter Alan Cayetano, who were supposed to join the forum, were not able to attend.
Rama said federalism is the only solution of the country’s corruption problem and would generate an equal spread of taxes.
“Federalism is the only solution of the problem of our country for the past 50 years. We will be at par with Singapore even for the next 20 years,” Rama said.
He said that it is a fact that all money and income from Apari to Jolo always end up in Manila, the center of the Philippines.
“Laktod pagkastorya, sila moluto unsa atong kan-on. Sila mosulti unsa ra atong kan-on (In other words, Manila will cook what we eat and will dictate what we eat),” Rama said.
Meanwhile, Don admitted that his brother wants the fastest way to change the Constitution.
He said creating PIF will unite groups pushing for a federal form of government and help realize the president’s wish.
After the launching, Don said that they will now be focusing on information dissemination about federalism nationwide.
“This is the hardest work. We are going to spread out and educate the Filipinos about the federal system of government,” Don said.
Don earlier said that they are amenable to whichever way a constitutional change can be achieved, whether through a constituent assembly or whether the congress will convene itself into a constitutional convention.