PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte says his party mates in the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan should lead the charge in promoting federalism in the country.
Duterte, who is also chairman of PDP Laban, made the comment during his speech at the PDP Laban Christmas Benefit Dinner for Marawi at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza in Pasay City on Wednesday night.
“It will be a disaster… it is a disaster kung hindi PDP Laban ang magdala. But kung ang PDP mag-dala [it is] because my duty and their duty to their country is to protect the Filipino and maintain and preserve the Republic of the Philippines,” Duterte said.
Touching on the topic of martial law, Duterte said the best way to stop the spread of Islamic extremism was to fulfill his campaign promise to shift to a federal system of government.
“The best way really for PDP… is to fulfill the campaign promise,” Duterte said.
He said the aim of the PDP Laban “is really to get a consensus” on what particular federal structure was best for the country.
Aside from federalism, Duterte also urged his party mates to lead his campaign against corrupt government officials and vowed he would not spare the corrupt.
“PDP is growing big. I welcome the members there… I’m just pointing out how our idealism should move forward [to stop corruption],” Duterte said.
That same night, the Senate under the leadership of Senate president and Party president Aquilino Pimentel III ratified the bicameral report on the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion or TRAIN bill, which is aimed at financing the Build, Build, Build program and the social service programs of the government.
Pimentel also presided over the Senate passage of the joint resolution increasing the base pay of military and uniformed personnel, another campaign promise of President Duterte, during the same session.