Con Ass team rules first E. Visayas federalism debate

PALO, Leyte, March 15  -- The team supporting federal system of government through constituent assembly (Con Ass) has won in the first intercollegiate debate in Eastern Visayas sponsored by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

DILG Tacloban office head Darwin Bibar congratulated the participants for performing well in the debate held Wednesday afternoon at St. Paul’s School of Professional Studies in this town.

“It is impressive that young people are fully aware on what is the most practical way to revise the constitution. This is just one of our activities to help people understand the proposed federal system,” Bibar said.

The 15-match debate includes 16 collegiate teams from all over the region competing in single elimination matches, shedding survivors through quarter finals, semi-finals, until the grand finals to crown the regional champion.

Practicing lawyers serve as judges in the debate being aired live in radio stations and social media.
In the first preliminary match, the team from the Leyte Normal University (LNU), who is in favor of Constituent Assembly, argued that the government will be able to save huge funds through Con Ass.

“They were entrusted to that position because they were chosen by the people to represent them. The constitution mandated to congress to convene themselves. There’s also a technical working group that will assist lawmakers on drafting provisions and amendments. This is less costly. Let us be practical!” said LNU student Raymond Enriquez.

In contrast, Benjielyn Macawile from the Eastern Visayas State (EVSU) pointed out that Constitutional Convention is needed to hear the voice of ordinary people and not the standpoint of traditional politicians.

“The interest of ordinary people must be heard. Yes, it is more costly, but it is quality decision-making,” she said.

In a constitutional convention, the regions will elect representatives who will propose amendments to the Constitution.

In a Con Ass, Congress sits down to propose amendments to the Constitution.

President Rodrigo Duterte has been pushing for shift from unitary presidential to federal form of government to establish powerful economic regions, provide more funding support for regions, solve the conflict in Mindanao, decentralize powers to local governments, among others.

Federalism is a system of government under which significant government powers are shared between the federal and the regional governments.

Under the DILG’s timetable, constitutional revisions will be done within 2018, ratify federal regions by June 2020, transition from unitary to federal government by 2022, and establish the Philippine Federal Republic by June 2022. (SQM/PNA)