Hugpong Federal intensifies info drive as ConCom starts work

At the Mindanao Campaign Training in Davao City Feb 1-2, HFMP Astig Volunteers agreed to intensify its information drive and education campaign for Federalism as President Rodrigo Duterte's Constitutional Consultative Committee commences with its work to draft a new Federal Constitution.

The country's largest grassroots movement advocating for Federalism will continue its campaign four ways, namely, (1) on its own initiative and independence (2) with its MOA with the Local Government Academy of the DILG (3) in tandem with other Federalist groups such as iConForm Federal Philippines headed by Sec Raul Lambino and Federalist Forum of PdP-Laban Vice Chairman and Energy Sec Al Cusi  (4) and in support of the ConCom.

President Duterte named last week the first 19 members of the ConCom led by former Supreme Court Chief Justice Reynato Puno with seven coming from Mindanao. They are mandated to finish their job in six months time and submit a draft Constitution to Congress.

More than 700 HFMP leaders from all over Mindanao and the Regional Coordinators from all over the country were present for the first leg of training as part of consolidating the grassroots movement. The next leg will be in Visayas and then Luzon.

At the welcome rites, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte was represented by Councilor Danilo Dayanghirang, Chairman of the Philippine Councilors League and one of the Coordinators of Tapang at Malasakit Alliance.

HFMP will also continue with its foray abroad to rally OFW support with Taiwan as the next stop.

Hugpong hails CJ Puno appointment to head ConCom

HFMP which is now undertaking preparations for the intensification of its information drive in partnership with DILG-Local Government Academy hails the formation of the Constitutional Consultative Committee appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte.

HFMP Chairman Celso Tizon said this is another step in achieving the goal of changing the highly- centralized government towards the federal system.

He said the President is correct in naming former Supreme Court Chief Justice Reynato Puno as chair of the ConCom for his proven integrity, ability and understanding of Federalism.

Tizon said HFMP will fully support the ConCom in its tasks to hold nationwide consultation, study and drafting of the proposed Federal Constitution as well as its submission to Congress and to the people through a plebiscite.

Trainings set to implement Hugpong Federal partnership with DILG-LGA

Mindanao Leaders of HFMP will convene in Davao City on Feb 1-2 for a special training summit to implement the partnership with the Local Government Academy of the Department of Interior & Local Government (DILG). The same training will be undertaken for  Leaders in Visayas and Luzon as HFMP intensifies its information drive at the grassroots level promoting the basic principles of Federalism, an advocacy of President Rodrigo Duterte.

DILG-LGA has accredited HFMP as one of three non-government organization partners in its role as lead agency of government to undertake an information campaign on Federalism. Even before its accreditation, HFMP has been at the forefront of the information drive at the grassroots level since its founding three years ago as one of the campaign teams helping then Mayor Duterte who was being pushed to run for President.

Present during the meeting of the National Federal Management Committee in Davao City yesterday were Davao City Deputy Mayor Mike Nakan, National Convenor Peter Lavina, Philippine Councilors League Chairman Danilo Dayanghirang, National Adviser Gapor Randy Usman, National Chairman Celso Tizon, Businessman Eliezer Dayanghirang, Muslim Affairs Coordinator Engr. Sam Pangandaman and National Secretary-General Vergelio dela Cruz.

HFMP jam-packs Dujali, Davao del Norte Federalism Forum

Chairman Celso Tizon leads the federalism forum at Dujali Municipality, Davao del Norte January 23 organized by Region XI Head Conrado Pacifico Manigque in cooperation with local government officials

Massive crowd jam-packed the Municipal Gym of Dujali, Davao del Norte including local officials, civic leaders, farmers, women and youth

DILG Assistant Secretary Epimaco Densing III bats for support for the President Duterte's advocacy to shift to the federal system of government

PNP attends HFMP Forum in Batangas

What a contrast! While the Barangay Captain, DILG and PNP attempted to stop a Federalism Forum in Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental last Friday, in Batangas it was the exact opposite. Members of the PNP and auxiliary police of the LGU listen yesterday to the merits of Federalism - Power-sharing, Resources-sharing, Respect-for-all and Development-for-all (PRRD) during a HFMP Forum and Oath-taking.

Barangay Captain fails to stop Gingoog City Federalism Forum

Saludo to all Astig Volunteers in Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental. Their information drive in Purok Quirino Maguindara, San Luis was stopped by Barangay Captain Alexander Mandamiento, accompanied by a DILG staff who is his relative and four policemen in uniform and two in civilian clothes for allegedly no permit. The people persisted in exercising their rights to peaceful assembly and succeeded in helping educate local famers and residents on the merits of Federalism. Such challenges face our HFMP members on a daily basis from feeble-minded local officials who obstruct change and abuse their powers to deny people of their basic rights to peaceful assemblies.

Signed manifesto on RevGov sent to Malacañang

Copies of signed manifesto calling on President Duterte to declare a revolutionary government to thwart obstruction to genuine change was sent by HFMP Caraga Region to the Office of the President in Malacañang. Recent moves by some Senators to stall charter change has intensified anew calls for RevGov as the only means available for the people to effect change for the Common Good of Filipinos suffering from the rotten unitary system of government and dominance of elites and "trapos" (traditional politicians).