Good Morning Judge: The Puno Report

THE consultative committee tasked by President Rodrigo R. Duterte to propose amendments to the 1987 Constitution has finally adopted unanimously a draft charter abandoning the current presidential form of government. Reportedly, under the proposed federal form of government, the Philippines will be composed of 18 federal regions including the present regional government set-up. Thus, the Bicol Region will be one regional government. It is unclear, however, as to which will be the regional center and thus the capital of the region. In all probability, it will be Legazpi City as most of the regional offices are now located in that city. It may be recalled that earlier, some local governments in Bicol are against Legazpi as the regional center even as they claim that Naga City here in Camarines Sur would be in a better position as Bicol’s regional center because it is equidistant from all the other Bicol provinces. Whatever it is, the proposed amendment/changes to the present Constitution would still be submitted to President Duterte who may either adopt the same in toto or submit them to both the House of Representatives and the Senate for approval or ask both Houses to approve the same with his own proposed changes. The recent killings of Mayor Antonio Halili of Tanauan City in Batangas and Mayor Ferdinand Bote of Nueva Ecija do not augur well for a peaceful conduct of the coming local and national elections next year. During that time, we will be choosing members of Senate and House of Representatives, governors, mayors and other local officials; hence, it is expected to be hotly contested. Hopefully, the COMELEC, the PNP and the AFP would be able to maintain a relatively peaceful election. TRIVIA: On Friday, July 6, the IBP Camarines Sur and Naga City Chapter will be holding a testimonial dinner for the new members of the Bar who recently hurdled the Bar Examinations. They will also be inducted as new members of the IBP Members of the USI High School batch ‘55 will meet this Friday for a luncheon-fellowship at the Yeba Resto-Bar to celebrate the Nth birthday of their batch mate Sonia Valenciano. This coming Saturday, July 7, the newly elected officers for Rizalian Year 2018-2020 of the Knights of Rizal, Naga City and Camarines Sur Chapter, will also be installed and Inducted into office at a ceremony to be held at the Rizal Center along Penafrancia Avenue. Regional Commander Roy Panotes will be the Guest of Honor and Inducting Officer. QUOTATION OF THE WEEK: “KIND WORDS CAN BE SHORT AND EASY TO SPEAK, BUT THEIR ECHOES ARE TRULY ENDLESS.” MOTHER TERESA FOR OUR WORD OF LIFE: “REJOICE, O YOUNG MAN, WHILE YOU ARE YOUNG AND LET YOUR HEART BE GLAD IN THE DAYS OF YOUR YOUTH.” ECC.12;9