Marcos urged to clarify stand on federalism, Cha-cha
THE newly formed Pilipino Tayo Movement (PTM) has challenged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to make his stand clear on Charter change (Cha-cha) and federalism.
Former Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) chairman and PTM lead convenor Greco Belgica told The Manila Times via Viber that the State of the Nation Address (SONA) would be the best time for the President to clarify his position on vital issues, including the group's proposal to adopt a constitutional convention in changing the Charter.
«The President must tell the people about what really his position, especially on federalism, wherein he was silent about despite his being the head of PFP (Partido Federal ng Pilipinas), which was, for sure, established under the principle of this kind of government system,» Belgica said.
Former Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) chairman and PTM lead convenor Greco Belgica. File PhotoFederalism combines a central or federal government and regional governments into a single political system, dividing the powers between the two.
«Until now, we never heard the President talking about federalism and if he would be pushing or not his party's advocacies,» Belgica said.
He said Marcos must make clear his party's position, especially since it has formed alliances with other political groups.
Advertisement«The President had earlier said his advocacy was unity, and national unity could be best achieved through federalism,» Belgica said.
The PTM convenor stressed that through the SONA, the President needs to have his position known on the «very important issue under his administration, which is Charter change.»
He said the 1987 Constitution has become ineffective in going after corruption and abuse of power, among others.
«The Pilipino Tayo Movement is just wondering why many of our lawmakers would not want to prioritize Cha-cha, which must be resolved now and not next time, if we all want to fully address the poverty, unemployment and country's security, among others,» Belgica said.
AdvertisementAside from Belgica, the other PTM convenors are lawyer Eduardo Bringas, former senator Gringo Honasan, retired general and lawyer Fortunato Guerero, Bishop Butch
