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Push for federalism not made for Duterte: Pimentel

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<figure class="op-interactive"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nqDQOmdTTlw?enablejsapi=1" width="560"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div>The planned shift to a federal form of government was not designed to prolong President Rodrigo Duterte&#x27;s stay in office, Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III said Friday.&quot;Hindi ito for Duterte. 1982 pa e federalism na ang advocacy ng PDP-Laban. Wala pa sa radar, sa national level si President Duterte. So, we’re doing this for Duterte? Malabo po yata ‘yun,&quot; Pimentel said in an interview on DZMM.Contrary to criticisms about the possible term extension of Duterte, a federal form of government will cut the chief executive&#x27;s power, Pimentel said.&quot;In a federal form of government, you are creating other centers of power. Kaya nga ako bilib sa presidente natin. He is willing to let go of some of his powers,&quot; Pimentel said.Under the draft created by PDP-Laban&#x27;s think-tank, a bicameral legislature will be retained where members of the House will be elected by district, while the Senate will be composed of one representative per region.There will be &quot;11 centers of power plus one center of power&quot; that will be headed by an elected president, Pimentel said.The Senate president belied reports that incumbent officials will enjoy term extensions due to a ten-year transition period under the proposed draft.&quot;Walang extension ng term. Kung nagbago ang mga na-elect, magbabago din &#x27;yung composition ng regional assembly. Hindi ibig sabihin na yung mga nakaupo ngayon ay sila na,&quot; Pimentel said.He added that anti-dynasty provisions will be included in the new political system.&quot;Wag sila mag-alala sa anti-dynasty provision dahil sa 1987 constitution, hindi nila nilagyan ng ngipin kasi sabi nila, let Congress do this [anti-dynasty]. E di ngayon ang chance natin,&quot; he said.Pimentel said the draft is not yet final and would be subjected to nationwide debates.&quot;Hindi pa final yun kasi talagang pinag-iisipang mabuti... Magdebate po tayo. Let&#x27;s bring the debate outside of Metro Manila. Tingnan natin kung valid yung mga critisismo,&quot; he said.Based on the Senate&#x27;s timeline, a plebiscite should be held on May 2019, alongside the mid-term polls, Pimentel said.

The planned shift to a federal form of government was not designed to prolong President Rodrigo Duterte's stay in office, Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III said Friday.

The planned shift to a federal form of government was not designed to prolong President Rodrigo Duterte's stay in office, Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III said Friday.