Is the Philippines ready for Federalism? Senator Pimentel has introduced Senate Resolution No. 10 which envisioned the creation of 11 federal states. I am personally for federalism but I think all Filipinos should also be consulted as to whether they are in favor of it. It is not a perfect form of government so I think there should be consultations and information dissemination in the community level so that the people can make their choice.
The 11 federal states to be created would be: Northern Luzon, Central Luzon, Southern Tagalog, Bicol, Minparom(Mindoro, Palawan, Romblon), Eastern Visayas, Central Visayas, Western Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Southern Mindanao, and the State of Bangsamoro.
The decentralization of power will hopefully bring the much-needed development to the Philippine countryside. Local leaders will now have more access to local resources whereas in the current system, those who are close to the administration are favored with the use of the country’s resources. The proponents also hoped that this system of government will be the solution to the insurgency problem especially in Mindanao. I personally doubt this last sentence but let’s not close our doors to federalism.
It’s not the answer to all our woes but I think the federal system will be less prone to abuse. Although, it is still the kind of people in position who will determines the fate of a province or region. No matter what kind of system we have if the politicians who will be in position are corrupt, you will still get a corrupt government. If the move for Charter Change is just a ploy to make something unconstitutional like the Bangsamoro Juridical Entity legal then we should be greatly concerned. Let’s all be vigilant since a Charter Change may be used by those in power for their own selfish advantage.
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I am with Federalism, with this, it will be obvious who’s the corrupt and who’s not…sana maipatupad ito…thanx for the post, i understood Federalism more
dors last blog post..Heroes & Villains
Thanks for visiting Don. I do hope there should be public consultations so that if everybody will understand the pros and cons.
Under the resolution, the President and the Vice President will be elected and will serve a term of six years with one re-election.
The resolution also calls for the election of six senators in each of the 11 component federal states.
Nine other senators will be elected to represent the Filipinos overseas. This will expand the membership of the Senate from the current 24 to 75 members, according to the resolution.
Meanwhile, members of the House of Representatives will be elected by district but limited to a maximum of 350.
Nyahahaha. Sin-o gusto ma Presidente? Mas lawig pa gid ila term kaysa kay GMA hu. Or basi may plano pa gid si GMA mag tinir. Gwapo ah. Kabay pa by that time mayo na mag pili Presidente ang mga ga boto. Ga damo pa gid corrupt ah. Haha.
Its hard to be optimistic when you know that this Charter Change is really just another way for those already in nopower to stay in power. Who’s to say that the senators and congressmen do not plan to run for congress and senate seats in their respective strongholds in the provinces? Was there ever a clamor for federalism before the MOA backfired? Seriously.
Gladits,
This article caught my eyes the first moment I saw it. You see, my take on this matter is positive. I go for Federalism all the way. There is growing culture among us Filipinos that we are sometimes better separated from one another than being together. Maybe, just maybe, Federalism will solve some of our greatest national problems like lack of confidence in each other as a people, corruption and alck of nationalism. Well, this is just me talking. I still have to study the pros and cons of this proposal on a massive scale but it really looks promising at this stage. I hope this contributes to the discussion.
jessies last blog post..Nursing Education in the Philippines: Nursing Curriculum Now 5 Years
@Tikalon – yeah, it’s kinda obvious . . . so, naisahan tayo ni gma?
Jess,
Very well said my friend. Our culture is so diverse that what’s good for the other region may not be good for one. Who can better determine what’s best for us? If local executives were given more power, at least they’ll be able to address what’s best for this part of the country. And if we need to overthrow somebody from power, there’s no need for us to go to Manila anymore.
But as Tikalon has pointed out, medyo marami yatang senators ngayon. Baka naman overkill na yan. That’s why dapat may consultations and debate muna. Dapat may transparency din. Put all cards on the table ika nga. Di tulad ng MOA na yan.
YES! but it should be presidential style federalism just like the one in the US where an ordinary citizen has the right to choose his/her President. With the way things are going, it seems that a parliament style federalism is not suitable for the Philippines. Why? Hmmnnn, how do you want to have a lifetime Prime Minister?
Federalism if implemented today is like putting the cart before the horse. We can’t have the Constitution become a hostage of the MOA-AD, the MOA-AD should follow the Constitution.
The Philippines is ready for Federalism, BUT NOT NOW!
So when do we move to Federalism?
I think it should be the major agenda of the next occupant of Malacanang and ONLY if the Filipinos want it through a REFERENDUM!
- LiNTEK
LiNTEKs last blog post..Nortel acquires Pingtel
Federalism worked for Switzerland which is a country whose people speak different languages (French, German and the occasional Italian; depending on which country a particular city borders on) just like we Filipinos are divided by multiple dialects.
But I don’t really think its fair to compare our situation to that of the Swiss, no? Suddenly I don’t feel like I’m being a good Filipino. Nyahaha.
Gladits,
I also agree witht he overkill possibility but for me, I think Federalism is worth a try. It’s really saddening that our present form of government is not (obviously) doing us any good. But let’s see what happens in the next few months after the debates in the proper forums are over.
I’ll share more in this post what I can come up with when I have done my resarch on this subject. Take care amiga!
jessies last blog post..Philippine Olympic Team in the Beijing 2008 Olympics: Update and Results
@LiNTEK- Sana nga ganun ang mangyari. There’s no need to rush naman. We’ve endured this government system for several years so what’s a couple years more? If that can be included in the next election then medyo makakatipid tayo.
That MOA-AD is unconstitutional from the start. We cannot change the constitution in order to make it legal. Hell, that MOA-AD is unfair for those who will be affected but were not even consulted. They should come up with something else that’s amenable to all parties.
@Tikalon – That’s why they should come up with the appropriate federal system for us. Does being loyal to one’s ethnic group means being less Filipino? First and foremost we are humans, so I think that should count first.
Hey guys, thank you so much for your comments. This is probably the best post I have if I will base it on the quality of the comments.
I think that is more better if we go on federal form of government wherein we can develop our country side.And we can see who is really the corrupt state if that will happen and the designated state will have its own way how to develop its own place.The problem for as filipinos is that we always afraid for changes thats why we cant move on.If mr. senator is bill is right and there is no extension for the current administration thats the good thing, what we should afraid for.If you can see our country side is developing so fast and we are behind on them now what will happen to our country we stay like this? Hoping for good that`s all we can do just hope and hope until when this hope will last? Why we don`t try things that is more good for the country, There is one pres. that i admire most his name Mahathir Mohamad he transform Malaysia into one develop country on asia. If we have a pres. like him i see our country more ahead on them, malaysia is one of federal form of government look how they manage to develop Sabah look Kuta Kinabalo which is part of sabah if anyone of you have been on KK.The BJE thing of our gov. they should look on it closely they give to much power on that MOA that suppose to be sign and why Palawan, and its almost half of Mindanao is given to them.AFP need more modernization they need more fire power phil. need more firepower how long we are going to use the OV10 broncos
the MG520 
and the UH-1H need to be updated. If this bill will change for good of the country that is more better to do. If we always faltered nothing will happen we always stuck to the words H O P E that our country will be like that and like this.
teka lang… anu ba yang federalism na yan? anong mangyayari sa pilipinas kapag ipapatupad yan???
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@don_ser – Ayan kasi puro ka na lang SEO. hehehe.. bale every region will be considered a state just like in the united states. pero dapat i-amend muna ang constitution bago yan ipatupad.
I don’t know about the Philippines if it is ready but I am not… Ang liit na nga ung mga lalawigan eh subdivide pa eh… Kawawa ung malilit na province they cannot sustain its existence..
julers last blog post..Buchenwald liberator, American hero dies at 83
@joler yes maliit nga it is not mean that when you are small you cant stand at your own then how come KK or Kota Kinabalu and Labuan survive as a state of malaysia where is Labuan is smaller than Panay in whereis KK or Kota Kinabalo is bit smaller to the combine land area of Negros and Panay if im not mistaken.Its shows prosperity is in the hand of good governance as a state if we believe that we can make it, then we gonna make it.But we stay. If we always faltered with out trying for what is the good for our country. nothing will happen to us but to stay on the words H O P E S
@gladita, ahh.. so ibig sabihin magiging USP na taYO??? United Sates of the Philippines??? ganun bah?? edi maganda. hehe. anung mangyayari sa mga tao kapag ipapatupad yan?? anu maganda maidulot satin nyan?? cenxa marami akong tanong. hekhek
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I really like the concept and idea of federalism govt. gusto ko maipatupad. kaya lang im worried dun sa ibang places na mahihirapan kasi d naman lahat ng lugar have sufficient funds.
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