Hanoi (VNA) – The Philippine House ofRepresentatives on January 16 kicked off discussions on possible amendments to theConstitution that has existed in the country for three decades.
The Constitution change aims to pave the way for a shiftto a different form of government – unitary to federal, one of the key planksof President Rodrigo Duterte’s election campaign in 2016, seeking a remedy to whathe called “neglect” by the Manila-centric political establishment that has leftprovinces in perpetual poverty.
Lower house representatives will vote and approve aresolution this week that would enable both chambers of the Congress to discussthe Constitution revision.
Duterte’s allies, who dominate the nearly 300-memberhouse, are expecting a Constitution that allows expanding both legislativechambers, lengthening lawmakers’ terms, giving provinces more financial autonomyand having a prime minister as head of government and a separately electedpresident.-VNA