With "federalism in uphill climb",
Koko urges Sara, "Run for the Senate"

Now that "federalism is an uphill climb", Senator Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III said Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte should seek a Senate seat in next year's midterm elections for Mindanao to gain greater representation in the Senate.

In asking Sara to run, Pimentel said the President's daughter in the Senate would give Mindanao a bigger voice and influence on certain key national issues, including the national budget.

"Her experience as mayor of one of the country's highly successful cities eminently qualifies her to speak for Mindanao, for peace and order, for the environment, and for the socio-economic upliftment of the marginalized sectors," Pimentel said.

A native of Cagayan de Oro city, Pimentel is one of three Mindanaoans in the Senate, the other two being Juan Miguel Zubiri from Bukidnon, and Manny Pacquiao from Sarangani.

Sara is widely known as the founding leader of Davao City-based Hugpong ng Pagbabago, which has become instantly popular in regions outside of Mindanao because of her charisma and strong-willed personality.

With a Federal system of government, the Senate would have been composed of Senators from the Regions. Without Federalism, the Senators will continue to be elected nationwide, Pimentel added.