The definition is not clear to many, it does not trickle down to the grassroots.

Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Secretary Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go yesterday admitted to the need for a wider, more effective campaign for Federalism to make the people understand its features and benefits.

Go said the initial gains of President Rodrigo Duterte’s campaign for Federalism should not go to waste as he encouraged government stakeholders to lend their support to the information drive.

“One of the most important things we need to make people understand is how Federalism will benefit the regions or states,” Go said.

Before he became President, then-Davao City Mayor Duterte was the only candidate who campaigned for Federalism, launching a nationwide “listening tour” in 2015 to get the people’s sentiments on the proposed change in government structure.

Early this year, Duterte formed a Constitutional Commission chaired by former Chief Justice Reynato Puno to draft a Federal Constitution. The body submitted its draft to the President in July.

Go, however, acknowledged that Federalism is still not popular and that the public needs to become aware about it if it is to push through.

He also said that it is up to Congress to push the proposal.

“Right now, the ball is in Congress. It is up to the House of Representatives and the Senate if they will take it up,” he said.

He said Federalism might pass through “rough sailing” in the Senate where it needs at least 18 votes to roll.

He added, however, that it could stand a better chance in the next Senate in which the President could have more allies.

Still, he said there is time to make the people appreciate Federalism.

“We will help the people understand the benefits of Federalism,” Go said.

The Federalism campaign hit a stone wall following a recent controversy sparked by a viral video of Presidential Communications Operations Office Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson and a male friend.

But Fatima Rasul, daughter of the late Ambassador Abraham Rasul and former Sen. Santanina Rasul, said proponents of Federalism can use the incident to create more awareness about the Federalism issue.

She noted that prior to the video that went viral last week, practically no one in the grassroots level was talking about Federalism.

“I think Asec Uson is doing us a favor because after what she has done, everybody is talking about it,” Rasul told Daily Tribune.

“Even if they say that it was vulgar or whatever terms they used, it opened the mind of many about Federalism,” she added.

Rasul, a native of Sulu province, said most Filipinos do not understand Federalism–stressing the need for a massive, nationwide information campaign to bring its meaning to the common people.

“The definition of federalism is not clear to many, it does not trickle down to the grassroots. So, how can you push for something that it is not understood?” she asked.

In a radio over the weekend, Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III, a staunch advocate of Federalism admitted the need to inform the people about Federalism.

Pimentel was among the first to hit Uson for the “vulgar” video. He said the Consultative Committee (ConCom) that drafted a federal constitution should take the lead in the information drive.

“There is really lack of knowledge (about Federalism). That’s why I am saying that the ConCom should explain,” said Pimentel, who even asked Uson to go on leave.

Even Pimentel’s father, former Senate President Nene Pimentel, who is a member of the ConCom, cited the need for a massive information campaign to promote Federalism.

According to Rasul, even if the Federalism being pushed by the Duterte administration could benefit the entire country, particularly in Mindanao where poor provinces can be grouped with well-developed cities, it should be discussed down to the grassroots level.

“First things first, there should be massive information drive,” said Rasul, an Army reservist with the rank of lieutenant colonel.