Federalism can help Mindanao achieve peace, order – Duterte

Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte yesterday emphasized that only a federal form of government can help Mindanao achieve peace.

Speaking before a packed JPL Hall of Freedom at the Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU) in Intramuros, Manila, Duterte noted a disadvantage of the current unitary system where Manila lords over all.

“All of the money must be forwarded to the national treasury, in the hands of the national treasurer.  Every centavo…all of the [funds] are there. Everything. It’s only the government that can handle the money for all of us,” he said.

He said the unitary form of government was introduced by the United States after the war but which system was not similar to theirs where all the 50 states are independent.

“The reason is because the US cannot easily use our resources if we have a federal form of government similar to them since they will have to deal separately with every head of state here. Under the present  set-up, all the US  has to do is to talk to our President and all their deals here are approved,” Duterte explained.

He is vouching for federalism believing that the country can do so much better.

“Once we have a totally Federal system, we can maximize our own budget  for the benefit of our constituents,” he assured.

Duterte was the guest speaker at the 63rd founding anniversary and 124th birth anniversary of Jose P. Laurel, the founder of Lyceum Tuesday where he was conferred the Most Outstanding Alumnus. Duterte   got his political science degree from Lyceum.

The straight-talking Duterte continues to dodge his plans for 2016 but gave broad hints yesterday.

“Nandito ang lahat ng magagandang lalaki at babae sa Manila, dito na lang muna kayo tumingin. Si (Sen. Grace) Poe, good; si (Interior and Local Government Secretary) Mar (Roxas), good; si (Sen. Alan Peter) Cayetano, good; si (Sen.) Chiz Escudero, good. Pero kapag wala kayong makita rito, lumingon lang kayo sa South kasi nandoon ang very good,” Duterte said, drawing applause from the crowd.

“Marami kami doon, so do not forget us,” Duterte said.