It is immaterial that the Congress has the final say on what the consultative committee will recommend because the two run parallel lines along the federalism agenda of President Rodrigo Duterte.

The consultative committee will recommend what the President wants on the shift to a federal system, while the Congress will propose amendments which the President requires in shifting to a federal form of government.

Neither the consultative committee nor the Congress will deviate from the President’s principal agenda on federalism. Only the details may differ. But any variance on crumbs does not matter.

The consultative committee will recommend what the President wants and what the Congress will support.

EDCEL C. LAGMAN