Media Representatives Discuss Federalism
PILG and HSF initiate discussion on Federalism amongst representatives from broadcast and print media

Senator Pimentel, Former Bohol OIC Governor Victor de la Serna and Former Commissioner of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Dr. Alex B. Brillantes Jr. is a Professor of Public Administration at the University of the Philippines, lead the discussion on federalism and the country’s possible adoption of the system

HSF

As part of the PILG-HSF partnership, the forum was the first one that was intended for media-participants and it aimed to provide them with information about federalism, to share the proposal of Former Senator Aquilino Q. Pimentel, Jr and to address queries they may have about the country’s possible adoption of this system of government.  This forum was seen as a means to help enable the media to contribute to the ongoing discourse on federalism through published media, thereby increasing the channels for discussion and widening participation of the public in the discussion.

Former Commissioner of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Dr. Alex B. Brillantes Jr., who is a Professor of Public Administration at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City, provided the historical overview.  Former Senator Aquilino Q. Pimentel, Jr., meanwhile, presented his proposal for the country’s adoption of a federal system of government. 

The forum served as a platform for the discussion of a topic which has increasingly been in the headlines in the past weeks as it concerns the citizens of the country.  Its conduct was also timely since the Consultative Commission had just been formed by the President on 25 January 2018.  The guest speaker of the activity, Former Bohol OIC Governor Victor de la Serna, who is a member of the Commission, also shared his views and joined the open forum.

Former Senator Aquilino Q. Pimentel, Jr. talks about the key points of his proposal for the Philippines’ adoption of the federal system of government

HSF

During the open forum, not only did the participants ask questions until the concerns they raised were addressed and clarified to them, but they were also asked to share their views.  Thusly, the open forum worked well in providing a channel for an exchange of ideas and information between the speakers and the participants.

Additionally, each participant received a handout which contained salient points of Sen. Pimentel’s proposal, which he reiterated is non-partisan and open to inputs and suggestions. 

Further information activities are planned to be organized for media representatives in the following months.