Duterte says federal system to spawn peace in Mindanao

DAVAO CITY (PNA) – Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte is pushing for the establishment of a federal form of government as the structure that could give lasting peace in Mindanao.

“Nothing short of a federal structure will give Mindanao peace,” Duterte said during his proclamation as the official candidate of the Partido ng Demokratikong Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) for president in Sheraton Hotel at Quezon City Monday.

Duterte focused on the Mindanao situation in his message, saying: “The salvation of the Philippines is in Mindanao.”

Like in his previous speeches in several gatherings elsewhere, Duterte explained why federalism would be the best alternative if the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) would not be passed during the present administration.

According to him, the BBL has already been watered down from what had been originally signed by Secretary Teresita Deles and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

The mayor believed that the passage of BBL will face difficulty. “Mahihirapan talaga (It will have a hard time),” he said.

He ran through Mindanao’s history, the injustices on Moro people, unfair distribution of revenues and the wars in Mindanao.

“Mindanao’s destiny is determined by laws crafted in Manila,” he said. “Let us go federal. It will be beneficial for our country,” he added.

Under a federal system of government, Duterte will propose a 60–40 or 70–30 sharing of resources in favor of the states.

Duterte will also be pushing for the codification of economic laws to encourage more businessmen to invest in the country.

According to him, too many signatures are currently needed in putting up a business in the country that has discourage investors.

“It’s topsy-turvy,” he said, adding that the process of getting approvals already dampen the investors' interest to do business in the Philippines.

Duterte vowed to shorten the process, citing what he has done in Davao City where government offices now release the papers within 72 hours.