THE leadership of the House of Representatives is ready to sit down with senators to discuss their proposal for a constitutional change to make way for a federal system of government, Speaker Prospero Nograles said on Thursday.

Nograles, at the same time, said he is inclined to support the move as long as the actual implementation of a Charter change (Cha-cha) would take place after the 2010 elections.

Nograles said he intends to meet with Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. next week to explore possible areas of cooperation.

“I’m sure next week, I’ll see him. I will meet with Senator Pimentel to discuss this matter because this federal system of government is close to my heart as a Mindanaoan leader and I’m sure most of the leaders in Mindanao will agree that we have long clamored for it,” said Nograles.

He welcomed the initiative from the Senate, which has played a major role in shooting down previous efforts to amend the Constitution, starting from former President Fidel Ramos’s People’s Initiative for Reform, Modernization and Action to former President Joseph Estrada’s Constitutional Correction for Development and the People’s Initiative by the Arroyo administration.

“It’s a pleasant surprise because the Senate has a long history of opposing any move to amend the Constitution,” he said.

He added the intention of the senators to push for Cha-cha would now erase the impression that Ch-change is a ploy by administration allies to extend the term of President Arroyo beyond 2010.

“I’m also glad that this came from the Senate and filed by Minority Leader Nene Pimentel, signed by almost all the senators, minority and opposition, so hindi na kami pagdududahan that we are doing this in order to extend the term of the President, at least ito, hindi nanggaling sa amin,” Nograles said.

In batting for federalism, Pimentel said “the highly centralized system of government has brought about spotty development of the nation where preferential treatment has been given to localities whose officials are friendly with, or have easy access to, the incumbent administration.”

Under Joint Resolution 10, the federal republic will be composed of 11 states (four in Luzon, four in the Visayas and three in Mindanao), plus Metro Manila, which is envisioned to be a federal administrative region.

While Congress will be retained as the legislative branch of government, the resolution calls for changes in the composition of the Senate. Thus, each federal state shall be represented by six senators elected by the qualified voters in state-wide elections. In addition, Filipino citizens overseas will be represented by nine senators elected by qualified voters working in foreign countries.

The House of Representatives shall be composed of not more than 350 members who shall be elected by legislative districts.

The resolution provides that the executive power is vested in the President. The President and Vice President shall perform such functions and duties as are lodged with their offices by the Constitution.

Rallies peaceful, but obstruct traffic

THE simultaneous and successive rallies staged by workers in key cities around the country were orderly and peaceful except for traffic snarls that have been created, especially in some parts of Metro Manila.

TO the rice, oil and other shortages lately, add the shortage of seats in all airlines flying to the Middle East that results in days of delays for at least a thousand Filipinos going to work for the first time or returning to their jobs in that region.

THERE will be changes in the nursing curriculum next school year.

This was announced by Chairman Romulo Neri of the Commission on Higher Education (Ched) on Wednesday to ensure that instruction is on a par with international standards and ensure a better passing rate for Filipino nursing graduates in licensure examinations here and abroad.

THE leadership of the House of Representatives is ready to sit down with senators to discuss their proposal for a constitutional change to make way for a federal system of government, Speaker Prospero Nograles said on Thursday.

SORSOGON CITY—A ranking communist rebel commander operating in Sorsogon province who was arrested by government forces three weeks ago was relased on Thursday after posting a P700,000 bail.

ZAMBOANGA CITY—One of the most wanted Abu Sayyaf leaders and his son were wounded in the “surgical strike” launched by the military on Wednesday in the hinterlands of Sulu.

MALAYSIA assured the Philippines on Thursday it will continue brokering the peace negotiations between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) despite its coming pullout as member of the International Monitoring Team (IMT).