National Issues: Talk on the proposed shift to Philippine Federalism
(@ASKI Singapore)
UFPCS 1st Secretary General Dexter Evangelio conducted a knowledge sharing seminar on the proposed shift to Philippine Federalism attended exclusively by members the organization.
Background: The concept of a federal government for the Philippines was proposed as early as the Philippine Revolution with Filipino revolutionaries Emilio Aguinaldo and Apolinario Mabini suggesting dividing the islands into three federal states.
One of the first proponents of federalism in the Philippines in the 21st century is University of the Philippines professor Jose Abueva who argued that a federal form of government is necessary to more efficiently cater to the needs of the country despite its diversity.
The primary goals of a constitutional amendment is to increase decentralization, greater local power and access to resources most especially among regions outside Metro Manila which has long been dubbed as rather imperial
Aside from Abueva, senator Aquilino Pimentel, Jr. is a prominent supporter of federalism who, since 2001, has advocated for federalism. He sees the proposed system as a key component in alleviating the Mindanao crisis and appeasing Moro insurgents. Even though the purpose of Federalism was never intended to appease any followers of any specific ideology of religion. Federalism will also hasten economic development since resource and financial mobilization is upon each states' or provinces' discretion without significant constraint from the central government
Due to the Senate and Congress resolutions supporting charter change, an estimated 13,000 to 15,000 people gathered in Makati in 2009 to protest against administration proposals for constitutional reform. This was in line with speculations that Philippine president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo would use such amendment to extend her hold in office. In addition, Pulse Asia published in the same year their survey regarding public support towards the proposed charter change. Their report stated that four out of ten Filipino adults or 42% of all respondents opposed the amendment. Meanwhile, 25% were still undecided and 33% were in favor. Pulse Asia furthered that from 2006 to 2009, there was no significant change of sentiment against charter change, but indecision increased by 6%.
Beginning in late 2014, Davao City mayor Rodrigo Duterte launched a nationwide campaign promoting a charter change for federalism. During his visit to Cebu City in October of the same year, Duterte stated that federalism will facilitate better delivery of services to the people.
He also saw the current system as "antiquated" where distribution of public funds is disproportionately biased towards Manila. Aside from the economic aspect, federalism is also seen as the best means to address problems in Mindanao which suffers the most from ethnoreligious conflicts. He added that the current unitary form of government has not worked well given the ethnic diversity in the country. In spite of rejecting several calls for candidacy for the 2016 presidential elections, he also cited his reforms if he were to be president. Parallel to his campaign for federalism, Duterte plans to privatize tax collection and abolish the Congress to make way for a unicameral legislature, contrary to the originally proposed Joint Resolution No. 10.
Movements for federalism were further intensified since the draft of the Bangsamoro Basic Law was submitted by Philippine president Benigno Aquino III to the Congress in September 10, 2014.
If approved, this law establishes the Bangsamoro as an autonomous region with its own parliamentary government and police force.
Approval of the Bangsamoro structure provides federalism proponents and supporters added confidence to clamor for the national government to enact reforms towards a more decentralized system for the rest of the country.
President-elect Rodrigo Duterte stated in May 2016 that a plebiscite on the proposed replacement of the unitary state with a federal one will be held in two years.
On December 7, 2016, Duterte signed Executive Order No. 10 creating a consultative committee to review the 1987 Constitution.
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Established on 5 July 2010, ASKI Global Limited is a non-stock, non-profit organisation that is focused on the betterment of foreign worker communities.
This is achieved through back-to-back training and coaching of migrant workers as well as their families on entrepreneurship and financial literacy.
To date, the organisation has trained migrant workers coming from countries such as the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh, and Myanmar.
