Duterte-Cayetano tandem push for federalism

Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and Senator Alan Peter Cayetano continued to promote a federalism form of government during the forum titled #TheLeaderIWant held by Rappler at the De La Salle University (DLSU)’s Teresa Yuchengco auditorium on January 20.

Cayetano said federalism will lead to an equitable distribution of the government’s wealth across all regions, instead of being pooled in Metro Manila.

He added that only 2 to 4 percent of the P3 trillion worth of national budget was allotted for areas outside the National Capital Region, while almost P1 trillion of the said budget was allocated for Metro Manila.

 

Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and Senator Alan Cayetano tackle pressing issues during #TheLeaderIWant Forum at De La Salle University on January 20. • Photo by LeAnne Jazul/Rappler

“Many don’t know that, economically, China follows the federalism system. Each region and city in China is given authority, money, and confidence to decide [for] themselves on investments,” Cayetano said.

He furthered that if the local governments in Cebu and Mindanao had been allowed to build their own projects 10 years ago, the two provinces would already have their own railway transit systems.

“We can’t even make the right decisions for Metro Manila, how can we make the right decisions for the whole country? Ano ang sabi ni Senator Chiz Escudero? Ang Poe-Escudero daw ay naniniwala na federalism cannot work. So what are they offering? We are offering a different economic program but they cannot offer something better, just motherhood statements,” Cayetano argued.

Duterte also promised that if he wins the 2016 presidential elections, he willend criminality, drug problem, and corruption in the government within three to six months or he will resign from his post.

According to him, law and order should be prioritized to help boost the country’s economic growth.

Duterte and Cayetano were the only presidential and vice presidential candidates who attended the event. Meanwhile, senatorial candidates Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares, Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, and lawyer Lorna Kapunan also participated in the forum and discussed their platforms.