By Genalyn Kabiling
The proposed shift to federalism must be pursued in accordance with the country's Constitution and other laws, President Duterte said following Nur Misuari's threat to go to war if the initiative fails.
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte delivers his speech during the 122nd Founding Anniversary of the Philippine Army at Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City on March 21, 2019.
(VALERIE ESCALERA/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
The President said Misuari knows that they must follow the lawful process in crafting a federal system after they agreed to pursue talks on the initiative.
"Tapos na man ‘yung federalism na being crafted by Congress. Maybe somehow we can now craft a --- the set up within the federal structures. Pero it has to go into a process and I’m sure Chairman Misuari knows that --- that everything must be in accordance with the Constitution," he said in a press conference after attending the Philippine Army anniversary celebration in Taguig City.
"Kung ano ang labas nung federalism, we’ll just have to craft something there that would be allowed by the Constitution and by law," he added.