Malacañan Palace
December 12, 2016
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte administered the oath-taking of the officers, directors and advisers of the People’s National Movement for Federalism (PENAMFED) at the Reception Hall in Malacañan Palace, Manila.
Chairman Freddie Aguilar, Director and National President Dr. Dante Liban, and Senator Alan Peter Cayetano as the organization’s National Advisor, were among the PENAMFED officials who took their oath of office. PENAMFED is a private organization that supports and promotes the shift to a federal form of the Philippine government.
In his message, the President emphasized the need to change to federalism and that even Dr. Jose Rizal supported it because he was already born during the time when the Philippines was ruled by imperialism.
President Duterte said that the founders and original members of the political party where he belongs, the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), support the system because the elite and the oligarchs are controlling the country for a long time. He then explained that Mindanao has lost its historical hold since the Spaniards took over.
“It’s about time that we take a deep look at federalism… Look at Mindanao now. Before the Spaniards came, Mindanao was already Islam… Let me be very frank with you… Kung wala na ako at magulo pa rin ang Pilipinas, there can never be peace in this land especially Mindanao… Kanila ‘yung lupa at wala silang power because it is being controlled by the Christians. Also, karamihan niyan, kung hindi mayaman sa negosyo, mayaman sa shabu,” President Duterte explained, adding that the revolt in Mindanao is not about rebellion, but regarding MORO nationalism.
“Sila ang original diyan e. So, ‘yung revolt nila is actually about their land; disposition of the land or at the very least, marami ang nawala sa kanila. And they were divided into several provinces… Ibigay mo ‘yan sa kanila, including the natural resources… We will pass this on to the next generation. The last card that’s available is federalism,” he said.
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