MANILA — The decision of the Consultative Committee (Con-com) to adopt a presidential form of federal government is aligned with President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s vision, Malacañang said Thursday.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque made this remark after the Con-com, which is tasked by the President to review the 1987 Constitution, voted on Tuesday to adopt a federal-presidential system of government after an eight-hour debate.
Duterte earlier urged Congress to adopt the French model of a parliamentary-federal form.
However, the Con-com decided to adopt a federal-presidential form.
In his first State of the Nation Address (SONA), Duterte warned against establishing a purely parliamentary system suggesting that the president’s power could be “limited to the ceremonial,” except in times of need.
He said he wanted a presidential election after the parliamentary system of government is approved, and dismissed allegations that he would seek a term extension.
Roque, however, said that it still aligned with Duterte’s vision to have a president elected.
“Ito ay sang-ayon din sa sinabi ni Pangulo doon sa isang SONA na ang sinabi niya, gusto niya French model (This is still aligned with what the President said during his SONA that he wanted a French model),” Roque said in a Palace briefing.
Roque said Duterte emphasized that he wanted Filipinos to still practice their right to suffrage.
“Ang ine-emphasize po niya, bagama’t gusto niya ng federal form of government, gusto niya na ang isang presidente na halal ng taumbayan (What he emphasized is although he wanted a federal form of government, he wanted a president that is elected by the people),” Roque said.
“Sa tingin ko po, nagkakatugma iyong rekomendasyon ng consultative committee sa kagustuhan ng Presidente na magkaroon ng federal, pero halal pa rin ng taumbayan ang Presidente (I think the recommendation of the Consultative Committee aligns with the vision of the President to have a federal form but still have a President elected by the people),” he added. (PNA)
