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Friday, March 29, 2024

Duterte pushes federalism at councilors’ confab

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President Rodrigo Duterte pushed once more one of his campaign platforms—the shift to a federal form of government —at the 10th National Congress of the Philippine Councilors League held recently at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.

The chief executive made the pitch before the 17,000-strong league, the largest association of local officials, who will be crucial in spreading information on federalism.

Duterte cited the advantages of the possible new form of government and the economic benefits it will bring down to the city and municipal levels.

He also encouraged the local legislators to be reliable partners in the government’s campaign against drugs and criminality.

Meanwhile, the league called for the resumption of the peace talks between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front in an official statement.

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The two-day confab featured talks from Philippine National Police Director General Ronald Dela Rosa, Party-list Rep. Harry Roque Jr., Mindanao Development Authority Chairman Datu Abdul Khayr Dangcal Alonto, Interior Secretary Ismael Sueno, National Youth Commission Assistant Secretary Paul Anthony Pangilinan, People’s National Movement for Federalism president Dante Liban, Tourism Promotions Board chief operating officer Cesar Montano, former Metro Manila Development Authority Chairman Francis Tolentino, and Senate President Aquilino Pimentel, also PDP-Laban party chief.

President Rodrigo Duterte poses with councilors from across the country as he lobbied for federalism at the Philippine Councilors League’s 10th National Congress at the World Trade Center in Pasig City.

Senators Cynthia Villar, Manny Pacquiao and Joseph Victor Ejercito also delivered keynote addresses on improving the quality of legislation for a more responsive local governance.

The group elected Danny Dayanghirang of Davao City and Luis “Chavit” Singson of Narvacan, Ilocos Sur as national chairman and national president, respectively. 

Founded in 1990, the League seeks to capacitate its membership for relevant local legislation and establish a strategic and accessible forum for strengthening public sector relations towards community development. 

Themed “Your PCL Advocating Genuine Peace, Inclusive Growth and Countryside Development through Federalism,” the triennial gathering was attended by some 10,000 city and municipal councilors led by its National Chairman Elmer Datuin of Baguio City and National President Maybelyn Dela Cruz-Fernandez of Dagupan City.

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