PHILIPPINES: PIMENTEL PROPOSES ADOPTION OF FEDERAL-PRESIDENTIAL SYSTEM

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Presidential Form of Gov’t to be Retained Under Federalism Proposal

Federalism the Only Way to Break Deadlock in Peace Talks — Pimentel

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PUBLISHED ON January 13, 2008 AT 9:54 AM

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Nene” Q. Pimentel,
Jr. (PDP-Laban) is set to file a joint congressional
resolution calling for the adoption of a federal
system of government but retaining the presidential
structure.

Pimentel said his proposal is to federalize whole
country that will include a BangsaMoro federal state.

The creation of a BangsaMoro federal state will
fulfill the aspiration of Muslims in Mindanao for
genuine autonomy. Malacañang believes this is the only
way to break the deadlock in the 10-year old peace
negotiation between the government and Moro Islamic
Liberation Front.

Under a federal system, Pimentel said the over
concentration of powers in the central government will
be eliminated and substantial powers will be
transferred to and exercised by the component federal
states.

He said the perennial grievances of far-flung regions
that they are being neglected because of the monopoly
of power by “imperial Manila” will be a thing of the
past.

Pimentel said he has opted for the retention of the
presidential system because most Filipinos would not
give up their right to directly elect the head of
government (president).

If a parliamentary system is adopted, the head of
government (prime minister) will be elected by the
members of parliament from among themselves.

Since the presidential system will stay, Pimentel said
there should be no apprehensions among the
presidential aspirants that the 2010 election may be
scrapped.

“We are not abolishing the presidency. I think it is
important to state that right now, so that those who
are aspiring for the position are not unduly alarmed
that they may lose the chance to become president,” he
said.

Pimentel said the presidential set-up he is proposing
is similar to that of the United States which has a
presidential-federal structure. The structure and
powers of the federal states will follow our own
version not those of the US.
-o0o-

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THE NEWS IN PICTURES

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Full Capacity. Normally, passenger vans are allowed to carry 14 people. But this one is apparently beyond its carrying limit as it negotiates the zigzag road in Sulop, Davao del Sur, a known accident- and landslide-prone area. (Photo by Keith Bacongco / AKP Images)

The Child as Vigilante. A 10-year-old boy carries a firearm and joins members of the Ilaga, an infamous anti-Moro militia, in its camp in Aleosan, North Cotabato. The child's father leads the dreaded vigilante group in the area. (Photo by Romy Elusfa/Philippine Human Rights Reporting Project)

Under Repair. A "Skylab," the most common mode of transportation in the Agusan provinces and elsewhere in Mindanao, undergoes a repair at a shop in Butuan City. The motorcycle is fitted with wooden "wings" on both sides -- hence the moniker -- and is capable of carrying up to eight passengers. (Photo by Keith Bacongco / AKP Images)

Free At Last. Pastor Berlin Guerrero of the National Council of Churches of the Philippines, shown above with wife Mylene, was released after 15 months in police detention. He had been abducted and went missing for days before the police came out to say that he was arrested on a murder charge, which his family and colleagues said had been fabricated. A court ordered him released on Sept. 11. (Photo by arkibongbayan.org)

Displaced. This family in Pikit, North Cotabato, is among those displaced in the ongoing military offensive in several areas in Mindanao. Human rights group Kawagib has denounced the ongoing campaign, saying it has victimized thousands of civilians. (Photo from Kawagib

End The War. Members of the youth group Anakbayan denounce the war being waged by the government in Mindanao against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. (Photo: arkibongbayan.org)

Where Are They? Relatives, friends and colleagues of victims of enforced disappearances commemorate the International Day of the Disappeared with lighted lanterns and photographs at the Plaza Miranda and in Mendiola on Aug. 30. (Photo: arkibongbayan.org)

Free at Last. The so-called Tagaytay 5 -- Aris Sarmiento, Axel Pinpin, Riel Custodio, Michael Masayes and Rico Ybañez -- shown here inside their prison cell during their incarceration, were freed yesterday. “The dismissal of trumped-up charges and release of Tagaytay 5 is a victory for human rights,” said Ruth Cervantes, Karapatan's public information officer. (Photo: freetagaytay5.net)

Displaced. Residents of North Cotabato have been the ones badly affected by the military offensives launched against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. "As the government continues to indiscriminately drop bombs on Moro and Christian villages in Aleosan and Pikit, more and more civilians are displaced," said Kawagib, a Moro human-rights group.(Photo: Suara Bangsamoro/arkibongbayan.org)

In One Roof. Villagers who fled their homes after the clashes last week between government troops and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in the south brought every human life with them, including their farm animals. They now live under one roof at an evacuation center in Pikit, North Cotabato. (Photo: Bong Sarmiento / Philippine Human Rights Reporting Project)

Emergency. A scene from "Ambulancia," a short film that tells of a painful twist in an ambulance driver's belief that a dying patient can be saved by running over stray animals on the streets. The award-winning film will be screened at the so-called "Woodstock of short films" in Germany. Richard Legaspi directed the film and it stars Alan Paule and Nor Domingo. (Contributed photo)

Sendoff. The Philippine Army dispatched today, Aug. 10, the 68th Infantry Battalion to Maguindanao. This battalion, together with the 46th Infantry Battalion from Samar, will augment the troops in Central Mindanao for the security operations that will be conducted to ensure peaceful elections in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao tomorrow. (Photo: Philippine Army)

Killings Denounced. Mindanao journalists gathered in General Santos City on Friday to denounce the recent attacks on their colleagues. On Monday, Dennis Cuesta, a Radio Mindanao Network commentator in General Santos, was shot and is fighting for his life. On Thursday, another RMN broadcaster, Martin Roxas of Capiz City, was shot dead. (Photo by Barry Ohaylan/davaotoday.com)