Federalism: Will it address PH problems?
As shifting to a federal system of government was the proposed solution of President Rodrigo Duterte in addressing the country’s regional problems and terrorism in secessionist Mindanao, it has yet to address major arguments of possible worsening of corruption and political dynasties.
Since the election of Duterte, known to be an utmost supporter of the compound government system, clamors have risen among federalists and legislators to pass the bill for charter change.
“The people are looking for radical solutions. There is this yearning for change. Yung sistema natin ngayon is practically unacceptable,” Jonathan Malaya, director of Partido Demokratikong Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) Federalism Institute of the Philippines, said.
Malaya said a federal system is the solution to the rampant poverty, communist insurgency and secessionism issues of the country. He mentioned that most of the problems were rooted from the diversity of the country and underrepresentation of the regions especially the Muslim regions of Mindanao.
“Kung irereview mo yan mga problemang yan, karamihan niyan is a result of alienation. Ibig sabihin, yung system natin ngayon is not inclusive, because it is predisposed or biased towards the elites, because it’s Manila-centric and hindi responsive to the needs of the people.” Malaya said.
He said under the present unitary form, the government is imposing its “Manila-centric” policies and laws that do not properly address the problems of the regions outside Manila.
He also said all the fundamentals needed for a federal society is present in the Philippines and that the diversity of the nation should be celebrated.
Under the proposed model, Malaya explained that there will be fair representation with each region and a slow devolution of power to the local government units (LGUs), until the LGUs can maximize efficiency to exercise the powers promulgated in the revised constitution.
“Ang gagawin nating shift to federalism, may mga certain powers tayo na ibibgay na natin [sa] local [governments] para hindi ganun kahirap yung transition. Dahan-dahan, we want a good transition. kasi nga we do not know the political culture [in the regions,]” Malaya said.
He further explained that most of the powers will be shared by the national government and the constituent units or the LGUs.
Addressing concerns of worsening corruption, Malaya said turning federal is not the “antidote” to corruption but vigilant citizenry and a strong judiciary system.
However, Louie Montemar, political analyst and professor of De La Salle University, refuted arguments of federalists that a change to the government structure will address local and national problems.
“I think we only need to strengthen what exists, reform it a bit, and have the national will to push through with those local reforms and I think we will not see the need for a fundamental change in the way we have structured our government,” Montemar said.
Montemar argued that under the present constitution, specifically the Local Government Code of 1991, the powers of the LGUs to maintain a meaningful local autonomy were already defined.
Citing several local governments that delivered developments to their provinces like Naga and Davao City, Montemar said that an effective local leader and government can be achieved even under the present unitary form.
“The strong argument of some is that in a federal form you will be giving more budgets to the local governments. Do you have to change our whole government to give budgets to local governors? No, you just have to make the Department of Budget better,” Montemar explained.
He also said the strengthening of political dynasties that federalism poses is dangerous.
“In the federal arrangement given our context is that if you strengthen the local governments to the extent of making them federal states, you may actually open up a local power structures for the monopoly of local oligarchs who is responsible,” Montemar said.
Dennis Coronacion, chair of the Political Science department of the University of Santo Tomas, also raised concerns on corruption under a federal government.
“If they’re going to run this LGU’s tapos dadagdagan mo pa ng more power because of federalism, then we might suffer more problems. Specifically ‘yung tinatawag na fiscal autonomy. Yung mga pera, budget, how to spend money, how to gain funds, how to collect funds, iiwan na natin sa knila yan, sila na bahala. Kapag nangyari iyon mas malala corruption,” Coronacion said.
Addressing arguments that shifting will be the solution to issues of secessionism and will promote unity, Coronacion said that federalizing may or may not be the solution.
“If you give a certain group of people more power, then, that might make them closer to you. Of course there’s this risk na baka nga mag-demand ng independence kasi autonomy is and can be likened to independence but in a different way kasi ito limited,” Coronacion said.
On the solution of Duterte on ending the decades-long conflict with Muslims in Mindanao, Coronacion said the new “philosophy” in dealing with the Muslim might be effective.
“Let’s give them more power. Mas mai-inlove sila sa Pilipinas kasi in the past, parati natin silang pinipilit at pinipigilan,” he said.
“Ang philosophy na ngayon, in dealing with them, sa mga Muslims, is to give them more power, give them what they want. Eventually, mas lalo silang mapapadikit sa atin,” he added.
Shifting to a federal type of government was one of the major changes Duterte aims to deliver until the end of his term. In Duterte’s first State of the Nation Address, the incumbent president even expressed his willingness to step down from power if a federal and parliamentary form of government will be adopted.
Under federalism, sovereignty was shared between the central government and constituent units also known as the local government units. Functions and powers of the national and local government units were defined by the constitution and citizens of federal countries are also citizens of their home, state or province.
Even after failed attempts, several proposals were also presented on the breakdown of states of the country if ever federalism does push through. Former Senate President Aquilino ‘Nene’ Pimentel Jr. and Citizens’ Movement for a Federal Philippines both proposed 11 federal states.
Countries such as the United States, Australia, Austria, Germany, Ethiopia, Brazil, Canada, Malaysia, India, and Mexico employ different types of federalism which gives a local state sufficient power to establish their own autonomy.###
