Manila, Philippines - As the SONA is fast approaching Political personalities has their own individual expectation as to what would be the highlights of the President’s State of the Nation address.
One of them is Sen. Coco Pimentel, the presumptive Senate president; He said in one of his interviews that he expects President Duterte touch the topic of Federalism.
His father, former Sen. Aquillino Pimentel Jr. has been an advocate of Federalism both in and out of Congress.
“I ‘m hoping to hear some priority legislative suggestions from the President and the shift to federalism” he said in a Senate media interview.
Pimentel said that he is also hoping for the President to make income tax reform a priority. He is not hoping to hear a reportorial unless he has an idea of a new law or policy that needs congressional cooperation,” basta federalism ang aking hinihintay”. Pimentel said.
He also expects to hear the President mentioning his ongoing all-out war against crimes, illegal drugs and corruption.
Meanwhile, Sen. Franklin Drillon, the outgoing Senate President has filed a resolution calling for a constitutional Convention (Con-Con) to review the 1987 Constitution. He said that the Resolution of both Houses No. 1 calls for a convention, whose members shall be elected by January next year, to propose amendments to, or revision of, the 29-year old Constitution.
Also he added, there is an Emerging consensus in the Senate to review and amend the Constitution either thru Con-Con (Constitutional Convention) or Con-Ass (Constitutional Assembly).
Sen. Pimentel However eyes a new form of Government in 2018, while Sen. Drillon expects the shift of the system of Government in 2020.