Tomorrow, August 27, Presidential Chief Legal Counsel Salvador “Sal” Panelo will address the Aklan Press Club Inc. (APCI) officers’ induction and fellowship dinner in Kalibo, Aklan where he is expected to spell out President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s constitutional reform agenda.The event will be attended by representatives from various sectors in the Visayas.
It was Panelo who originally urged then Davao City Mayor Duterte to run for president. APCI and Visayan leaders expect him to dwell on federal Philippines since the President, in his first SONA, and Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III and House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, in their inaugural speeches made strong reference to federalism as a vehicle to boost the country’s bid for inclusive economic growth.
In his speech last Tuesday, read for him by Rep. Alfredo B. Benitez during the well-attended “Federal Philippines Rising?” forum at Marriott Hotel, sponsored by Business Mirror, ECCP, etc. House Speaker Alvarez outlined how Federalism would allow autonomous regions to realize their full potentials as self-governing units that are directly answerable to their respective constituents.
The forum, which featured representative resource speakers from successful federal states including Germany, France and Canada clarified many issues concerning federalism. The forum should be replicated nationwide to help Filipinos better understand federalism before we eventually embrace it.
Happily, the Provincial Press Clubs of the Philippines headed by Allan Sison, plan to do so, preferably in cooperation with the Business Mirror. For certain, Panelo stands as one credible resource person to tap for it…
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Albay Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda has filed House Resolution # 220 calling for a probe of a scam involving WINSTON Q8 Certification Solutions, reportedly appointed by the Embassy of Kuwait as sole provider of certifications and medical forms requirements to aspiring OFWs in Kuwait and charging P8,400 per applicant compared to only P2,500 normally charged by other providers. This is exploitation at its worst.
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The Supreme Court has not finally ruled yet on whether to allow the burial of former President Marcos at the Libingan ng Mga Bayani or not. It has merely asked all contending parties to present their respective positions on the contentious issue.. Legally, Marcos qualifies for burial at the Libingan since he was former President and was not convicted of any crime before he died. (Johnny Dayang)