President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. vowed on Friday to study proposals calling for autonomy of the Cordillera region.
Local leaders had asked for the President’s support for the passage of a bill pushing for regional autonomy.
President Marcos made the commitment during a media interview in Apayao where he distributed assistance to farmers and fishermen affected by El Nino.
Residents in Cordillera are pushing for autonomy in the region. House Bill 3627, which calls for such autonomy, is currently pending in Congress.
Proponents of the bill said greater autonomy will spur development in Cordillera. They urged President Marcos to certify the bill as urgent.
However, President Marcos said the proposal may encourage legal challenges.
Nevertheless, he said the 1987 Constitution allows the creation of two autonomous regions.
“The Autonomous Region… Kaya nabuhay ang ARMM noon na naging BARMM — ‘yung Autonomous Region of [in] Muslim Mindanao. Tapos dapat dito rin. Ngunit, hindi nakuha ang sapat ng boto para sa plebesito,” Marcos said.
“Ngayon, ang legal question is kung puwede bang balikan o sinabi ba ng Constitution minsanan lang ‘yan? So, titingnan natin, pag-aaralan natin nang mabuti.” PND
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