Lower House federalism bill ‘dead on arrival’

EDITORIALS

The House of Representatives on Dec. 11 approved on third and final reading its draft constitution that seeks to shift to a federal form of government.

Voting 224-22 with three abstentions, the Lower House passed the ‘Resolution of Both Houses No. 15,’ penned by House Speaker Gloria Arroyo.

The proposal seeks to remove the term limits for members of the Congress and the 1987 Constitution’s anti-political dynasty provision.

The bill also wants the president and vice president to come from the same party, each serving a term of four years and will be eligible for one reelection.

The proposal also seeks to bring back the two-party system and to require elected officials to have a college degree

The Lower House was able to meet the requirement that three-fourths of the total number of lawmakers must vote in favor of the bill for it to be passed.

But its chances of getting signed into law remain bleak, with senators saying it would be ‘dead on arrival’ at the Senate.

Meanwhile, the Dept. of Interior and Local Government is setting for next year an information campaign on the benefits of coming up with a federalist government for this country.

Pundits are saying federalism would not be accomplished within the term of President Duterte.

That remains to be seen as this administration with an unpredictable President had been known to pull surprises.

Lowering government workers’ retirement age

Here is interesting news for government workers. The House of Representatives has passed on final reading the measure lowering the optional retirement age of government workers from 60 to 56 years old.

Two hundred and six lawmakers voted in favor of House Bill 8683 on Dec. 11.

If enacted, government workers will have the option to terminate their employment even before they reach 60 years old, without substantial loss to their monthly income.

The bill amends Section 13-A of Republic Act 8291, or the “Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) Act of 1997,” by providing that government workers who have reached the age of 56 years may file for retirement and be entitled to old-age pension for life from the GSIS.

Authors of the bill are Representatives Antonio Tinio, France Castro, Rodel Batocabe, Alfredo Garbin Jr., and Maria Carmen Zamora, among others. If enacted, this would be a boon for government workers.