Pimentel: Gov’t officials opposing federalism just need more info

SEN. Aquilino Pimentel III yesterday said government officials against federalism would “need more information” on the proposed shift of government.

He made this comment after Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III and other economic managers earlier told the Senate finance committee that federalism might damage the momentum of the country’s economy.

“What I’m getting from their remarks is they need more information. They just need more information,” Pimentel, president of the ruling party pushing for federalism, told DWIZ in Filipino.

Pimentel refuted Dominguez’s argument, saying that, even though federalism could at first incur costs, it would financially benefit the regions in the long run.

“Each federal region will have to find on its own how it will develop itself, how they will save money. The assumption is that local leaders know the situation of their regions better,” Pimentel said.

He also advised the consultative committee who drafted the proposed federal constitution to still campaign for charter change following these adverse remarks.

But even though he would support federalism, Pimentel said he would not vote in its favor if Filipinos would remain uninformed about the issue.