By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Abang Lingkod Party-list Rep. Stephen Paduano confirmed Negros Occidental Third District Rep. Alfredo Benitez will chair one of the four technical working groups to study proposed amendments to the 1987 Constitution, as part of the government transition to federalism.
In a recent interview, he indicated this particular group would be in charge of the preamble and transitory provisions.
Paduano noted, “We should be proud that a political leader from Negros is part of the select group of lawmakers.”
In terms of establishing federal states, he said that will depend on recommendations from the technical working groups and the constitutional committees organized by President Rodrigo Duterte.
Paduano said he will push for the two provinces of Negros to be included as one federal state.
Last month, during a forum on federalism in Bacolod City, Negros was named the 10th possible state under a federal form of government./WDJ