Several Visayas govs back shift to federal government
Several governors in the Visayas yesterday voiced their support to moves to amend the Constitution and to shift to a federal type of government.
The governors of Cebu, Iloilo, Negros Occidental, Antique and Biliran said the federal type of government would strengthen the provinces and help boost their economies.
Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia said she has always supported a federal type of government because running provinces would be more efficient and would hasten progress.
"We can stand alone as far as Cebu is concerned," said Garcia at the sidelines of a meeting of the Visayas Regional Development Committee here.
Antique Gov. Salvacion Zaldivar-Perez said a federal type of government would give more independence to the regions.
"A lot of our revenues go to Manila at present," she pointed out.
Perez dismissed criticisms that the moves to amend the Constitution is being done to extend the term of the President or to keep her in power.
"(The criticisms come from) people with malicious minds," said Perez.
Biliran Gov. Rogelio Espina said the federalism would also improve the economic situation of poor provinces and enhance collaboration on policies.
In separate phone interviews, Governors Niel Tupas Sr. of Iloilo and Isidro Zayco of Negros Occidental also backed the constitutional amendments and a federal type of government.
But Tupas said the amendments to the Constitution should be done through a Constitutional Convention (Con-con) and not through a Constitutional Assembly (Con-ass) to ensure that those amending the constitutional will not be influenced by "selfish interests."
But Capiz Gov. Victor Tanco said the timing of the Cha-cha being pushed by President Macapagal-Arroyo is suspicious.
"Why (is she supporting the move) only now? It might be serving another purpose," Tanco said in a telephone interview.
He said the move, which the President said will resolve the armed conflict in Mindanao, is being pushed because it is "convenient at this time," referring to the the recent eruption of hostilities between government troops and Moro rebels.
Tanco said anything is possible with the Cha-Cha including the changing or removal of term limits of the President and other officials.
"The move for a Cha-Cha is not really good for our country," he said.