Shifting to a federal system of government may just be what is needed to solve the lingering conflict in Mindanao, according to congressmen pushing for constitutional change. “A shift to the federal form of government is the answer to the issue of autonomy raised by our Muslim brothers and sisters in Mindanao. But we can only implement this through Charter change, which is the long-term solution to the peace problem in Mindanao,” said Loreto S. Ocampos, head of the house committee on constitutional amendments. Under a federal system, said another congressman, Rufus Rodriguez, each of the country's administrative regions will have political and economic autonomy and issues of right to self-determination will be addressed. Rufus B. Rodriguez said the ultimate solution to the Bangsamoro issue in Mindanao could be a shift from a unitary to a federal system. The congressmen held a public consultation meeting on constitutional change at the Mindanao University of Science and Technology on May 27. PM14350