Duterte Visits Dumaguete to Promote Federalism

Dumaguete City (PNA) – Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte again shrugged off reports that he will seek the presidency in the 2016 elections as he visited Dumaguete City Wednesday to promote federalism in schools as well as meet with local officials.

But Duterte’s visit here was earlier reported as part of a tour to “listen to the people” and determine his chances if he “makes a go” for the presidential race next year.

Former North Cotabato Gov. Manny Piñol, a staunch supporter of Duterte, had said on air a day ahead of the mayor’s visit that it is up to him to decide on this despite perceived mounting public clamor for him to sit in Malacañang as the country’s chief executive.

But Piñol said Duterte’s visit to Dumaguete is part of a campaign across the country to promote his advocacy for a shift to a federal system of government.

Mayor Duterte called on Gov. Roel Degamo at the Capitol where he exchanged pleasantries briefly and spoke of his views on federalism without any confirmation at all of his plans in 2016.

Degamo, on the other hand, told reporters afterwards that Duterte is an “option” while not making any commitment as to who he will be supporting for the highest elective position in the land in next year’s polls.

The governor said it is still too early to make any pronouncements as anything could happen in the coming months, although it was mentioned during their conversation that both belong to the same political party, the PDP-Laban.

Governor Degamo also said that he is for a federal system of government and was already supporting the idea even before Duterte’s visit here.

Duterte later met with hundreds of students and faculty at the Negros Oriental State University (NORSU) in this capital city, where he spoke mostly on federalism as well as the history of Mindanao and why there is a need to move ahead with the peace process.

While he was more evasive in previous engagements to discuss the possibility of a presidential run in 2016, Duterte appeared more “conversant” during his visit to NORSU and at a press conference afterwards about such possibility.

In fact, the Davao City mayor, while interjecting humor in his speech in an almost packed gymnasium at the NORSU, openly announced he would seek reforms in government, such as the abolition of Congress, if he becomes the next president of the Philippines.

Duterte also did not mince words in saying the corrupt officials would be the first to go if he becomes president, even though there is no hint at all of any commitment yet.

According to him, a federal system would give regions and provinces, especially those that have been “neglected” more autonomy as he explained a different taxation system in a federal government.

“I am here to appeal to you to support federalism because it is our only chance for peace,” Duterte said.

Mindanao is going to be a battleground if violence erupts and in previous years, that had been proven, as he cited bombings in ports, airports and churches, to name a few.

Duterte disclosed that during a talk with Misuari, apparently referring to the revolutionary leader Nur Misuari, “is still open to it (federal system of government” and therefore “we should grab the chance.”

“It is to your advantage to do away with unitary government,” Duterte addressed the young people in the gymnasium.

He described the unitary government as actually an “authoritarian form,” where all the money goes to the national treasury.

Duterte also stressed that if he becomes president, he would use the PhP72-billion Malampaya funds to bring stability to the country.

He once more intimated that the possibility of him going for the presidency would depend on God, as having served 22 years as mayor of Davao City is already God’s gift that has brought him so much satisfaction.

Mayor Duterte also spoke in another forum at Silliman University and was also scheduled to meet with Dumaguete Mayor Manuel Sagarbarria and other officials and civilians here. (PNA) SCS/JFP