Federalism campaign to jump-start in Cebu?

It’s only two weeks away to the start of the Rodrigo “Digong” Duterte administration but preparations to kick-start the campaign for a federal form of government may already be underway in Cebu.

I gathered this from former Deputy House Speaker and ex-Cebu governor Pablo “Pabling” Garcia in a recent interview over the advocacy show, “Co-op TV” over CCTN Channel 47. I sought out the former lawmaker last week to get his comments as regards Digong’s pronouncements that he will tap co-ops in reforming the mining industry in Mindanao.

Noy Pabling is an avid supporter of the sector as during his stint in Congress he authored two landmark laws that promote cooperativism in the country, RA 9520 otherwise known as the Cooperative Code of 2008 and its forerunner, RA 6938.

He is now retired from politics but is occupied with tending over two major co-op enterprises, as chairman of the board of Cebu CFI Community Cooperative and Climbs Insurance. He told the TV audience that he is very happy to hear that the new administration “will give co-ops a space for intervention” in the mining industry.

The mining business is said to be worth $1.4 trillion but corruption has plagued this sector for many years. According to Garcia, workers are being exploited, prices of mineral extracts are being manipulated and there is corruption in the issuance of permits. He is hopeful that President-elect Digong will bring “meaningful and real change” in the country.

Our off-camera conversation was even more interesting. He disclosed that sometime last month he received a call from Maria Victoria “Minnie” Osmeña asking him to join group discussions about plans to amend the Constitution to pave the way for a federal form of government. As we know, the shift to federalism is at the top of the agenda of the incoming Duterte administration.

Minnie, the sister of incoming Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña had earlier been touted as the next Secretary of the Department of Tourism.

Noy Pabling said that during their phone conversation Minnie also mentioned the name of Cordova Vice Mayor Adelino “Ade” Sitoy, a former congressman, as part of the discussion group that will anchor the campaign for federalism.

As a former chairman of the House Committee on the Revision of Laws and Constitutional amendments, Noy Pabling has the job cut out for him. At 90 years old, his steps are slower but he remains sharp, so that if Duterte’s invitation coursed through Minnie Osmeña is any indication, the new President considers Garcia’s legislative experience important to keep the federalism campaign on track.

The shift to a federal type of government has, almost overnight, become a popular concept because Digong is pushing it. But the process is “easier said than done” because the creation of a new political organization that is sovereign in certain aspects will necessarily upend the national and provincial governments, according to Garcia.

“It requires a serious and extensive study,” he said.

Because the contemplated amendments under a federal form would require the full cooperation of Congress, Noy Pabling posed the rhetorical question, “Will the Senate allow itself to be abolished?”

I think that is basically at the center of the power struggle for the Senate presidency between Senators Koko Pimentel and Allan Peter Cayetano.

Pimentel who is Digong’s lone party mate (PDP Laban) in the Upper Chamber is said to have secured the support of the majority including Liberal

Party members. The President-elect has earlier said he will leave the Senate to its own devices in choosing the next Senate leader.

If Duterte is committed to the shift to a federal form of government, I think he cannot just sit back and watch in the sidelines; and in the context of what Noy Pabling said, the new President will exert his influence to get the support of the Senate majority. The question is, will it be Pimentel or is it going to be Cayetano who can be relied upon to deliver on Digong’s demands?

Going back to my TV interview with Chairman Pablo Garcia, he laughed when asked if the word “retirement” ever exists in his vocabulary because he’s still at it after logging in like more than 4 decades of public service. “I cannot say no if called to serve,” was his simple reply.

Noy Pabling was in high spirits discussing the plans of the new President to give cooperatives a chance to run mining operations in Mindanao.

He stressed that co-ops have certain privileges which the sector can leverage in reforming the mining sector. Moreover, he assured the new President that co-ops can help his administration achieve inclusive growth because co-ops have a solid track record in sustainable development.

“The Filipino people can hope and even expect real and meaningful change in our country,” Pablo Garcia emphasized.

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