Tapos ang laban! Pangilinan warns federalism will be a go if Duterte’s bets win big in senate race

President Rodrigo Duterte and Sen. Kiko Pangilinan / composite photo from Google 

Opposition senator Kiko Pangilinan fears that Federalism might push through if President Rodrigo Duterte’s bets win the upcoming senatorial elections.

Pangilinan noted that the current Senate was the only reason why Duterte’s plan to shift to federal form of government failed.

“Ang pinaka-mahalaga palagay ko, ‘pag ang Senado ay naging sunod-sunuran ay itutulak ang charter change, no term limits, term extension etc., ay tapos na ang boxing, ikanga,” said Pangilinan in an interview with ANC.

The senator, who also serve as the campaign manager for the Otso Diretso slate feels hopeful that voters would not only back their candidates but also choose senatorial bets who would oppose charter change.

“Isama na siguro ‘yung hindi magiging sunod-sunuran at hindi magiging ano, we need an independent Senate. Alam mo kung sunod-sunuran ng senado baka chacha na tayo ngayon,” said Pangilinan.

The Otso Diretso slate -- composed of Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano, incumbent Senator Bam Aquino, De La Salle University College of Law founding dean Chel Diokno, Moro civic leader Samira Gutoc, former Solicitor General Florin Hilbay, election lawyer Romulo Macalintal, former Senator Mar Roxas, and former House Deputy Speaker Erin Tañada -- has been relying on house-to-house campaigning and volunteers as most local government officials refuse to host their sorties in towns and provinces, says reports.

Pangilinan also said that most of the candidates “lack funds” so; they put up an online funding campaign and appealed to their supporters to raise funds for the “volunteer campaign” of the coalition.

Source: Politics