Federal Party founder: “PDP-Laban is dead”

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines — “PDP-Laban is dead for all intents and purposes,” according to lawyer Joel Obar, the founder of the Peoples Solidarity Federal Party, and those who first started the movement for a change from unitary to a federal form of government in Dumaguete City.

Obar said PDP-Laban is “now having a requiem mass,” but he now expects that the old PDP people will shift to the camp of former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to again become LAKAS-NUCD members, which is the traditional way this country has been ruled.

With the unprecedented event that marred the third SONA of President Duterte, only proved that PDP-Laban is not anymore in control of the situation, and Obar said he is hoping this will not affect the president.

Obar emphasized that Duterte is serious about federalism and he has to act now, then declare a revolutionary government with this kind of Congress now.

He added that the leadership in Congress is shaking, “the House is on fire, and if you don’t have a House, it’s better to declare a revolutionary government.”

As things unfolded, Obar observed that it seems GMA is supporting Duterte, or she has no choice but to support the president otherwise she will be hated.

But knowing GMA, over time she will be able to come up with her own political capital and might work against the president, that makes a difference now, he said.

Obar opined that Duterte must act within the next 90 days so that GMA will not be able to have enough political capital on her own because “everybody knows GMA was once a president.”

Obar was hoping that all that happened will still settle for the benefit of the general welfare of the people. “However, experience will tell us these old politicians have the general welfare next to their own interest. Their interest is more paramount than the general welfare; they only masquerade for the general welfare but the truth is they are for their own interests.”

Meanwhile, Senator Cynthia Villar who was a special guest of Tanjay City Mayor Reynaldo Concepcion in the Sinulog de Tanjay street dancing and mock dance competition, opined that what happened in the House may have something to do with the budget for congressmen, some of whom don’t have.

Villar said being elected by the people, they need projects that will benefit their respective constituencies. “It’s not the congressmen that need the budget but it’s the people in their respective districts. “Kung hindi ka bibigyan, anung project ang maibigay ng congressman, tayo ay naniniwala na lahat ng bayan kailangan nga tulong.”

The other reason on why there was a change in the House leadership is the proposal for a no-el (no elections). “No matter how bad, we must have an election kasi parang nagkakaroon ng instability kapag walang election, iyun seguro ang isa sa mga reasons,” the senator added.