By Arjay L. Balinbin

THE subcommittees of the Consultative Committee (ConCom) tasked with reviewing the 1987 Constitution are expected to submit their reports this week for the full committee’s deliberation.

“So far, what has been agreed upon for Monday (March 5) is an executive caucus as the subcommittees are still finalizing reports/matters to be submitted for en banc deliberation and decision. En banc may be held later in the week,” said the office of former chief justice Reynato S. Puno.

Mr. Puno heads the committee that President Rodrigo R. Duterte formed last December to review the Constitution, amid his administration’s plan to shift the presidential system toward federalism.

University of Santo Tomas political science professor Edmund S. Tayao, also a committee member, said the committee will hold an executive caucus on Monday.

Mr. Tayao likewise said regional consultations will then start on April 23. Mr. Puno’s office said a draft of the committee’s recommendations will have been completed by then.

In terms of timetable, “I think we are on track, we are doing everything to fast-track the process without compromising its substance,” Mr. Tayao added.

Last Tuesday, Feb. 27, the committee voted in favor of a presidential-federal system.

In a press briefing last Saturday, March 3, Presidential Spokesperson Herminio Harry L. Roque, Jr. said the Filipino people are ready for federalism. “During his campaigns, he [the President] said he would push for federalism. The people elected him, so I think Filipinos are ready for federalism,” he said.

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