There is an apparent lack of calibration and coordination when it comes to the administration’s campaign to lobby for public support to federalism based on two recent missteps that had proponents calling for the heads of those responsible for it.
The more weighty and substantial comes in the statements of both Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III and Socio-Economic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia who said the immediate shift to federalism would seriously affect the country’s international credit rating.
During a Senate finance committee hearing, Dominguez told the senators that the government will incur a huge budget deficit should the new federal constitution that requires 50 percent share of the budget with federal states and regions take into effect.
Also compromised under that budget setup is the government’s ambitious “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure project which is supposed to be funded largely from revenues generated under the Train law.
These are legitimate concerns that shouldn’t be taken lightly yet instead of the more sober approach of orienting Dominguez and other finance officials on how the federalism campaign would work itself out amid the admittedly initial heavy cost of a change in government, some overzealous types like San Beda law dean and Consultative Committee member Fr. Ranhilio Aquino called for their sacking.
Compare this to the very vocal public outrage over that cheap, idiotic federalism pitch made by Asst. Secretary Mocha Uson and his sidekick Drew Olivar that, according to Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III, had cheapened whatever efforts made by the government in lobbying for federalism.
Instead of censuring Uson the Consultative Committee through their spokesman Ding Generoso — who recommended Uson for the federalism campaign — said the recent video was “unfortunate” and that she should lie low.
As stated before, statements from Dominguez and Pernia carry a lot more weight hence the violent reaction and demand for their sacking. But the committee is also understandably silent about Uson since President Rodrigo Duterte isn’t so keen about censuring the controversial official.
Then again, the committee can also recommend and demand the sacking of Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, who echoed Dominguez’s reservations by admitting that the government’s federalism campaign is “confusing to many Filipinos.”
Instead of making selective harangues and tirades, the Consultative Committee should redouble their efforts to promote federalism and let others speak their minds so long as it is constructive discourse and not downright gutter like.