By Paulo Loreto Lim

While speaking at yesterday’s “Istorya Ng Pag-asa” launch at the Santuario De La Salle in Bacolod City, Vice President Maria Leonor ‘Leni’ Robredo said, while she would be “willing to listen” to the debate on a shift to a federal form of government, she said the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte has not provided an outline for how it will be executed.

“They have not yet presented what model to adopt in the country,” she implored.

Last month, Abang Lingkod party-list Rep. Stephen Paduano noted four technical working groups have been established, with one chaired by Negros Occidental third district Rep. Alfredo Benitez, to study proposed amendments to the 1987 Constitution, as part of the transition process.

Victorias City Mayor Francis Frederick Palanca affirmed his endorsement of federalism earlier this week, saying it would encourage more “countryside development” and take the power away from “Imperial Manila.”

Robredo also mentioned her support for the now-defunct Negros Island Region (NIR), saying, “It was already established but, because of the different stand of this administration, NIR was abolished.”

NIR was originally created following an executive order signed by former President Benigno S. Aquino III.

Yesterday’s event was coordinated by former Bacolod City Councilor and 2016 Liberal Party candidate for Bacolod Lone District representative Carl Lopez./PLL, WDJ