FEDERALISM FOR FILIPINOS?










Map of the Phillipines courtesy of Rappler.com showing the proposed 11 states to be created based from Sen. Aquilino Pimentel Jr resolution in 2008. 


LOOKING BACK
During the 2016 national and local elections in the Philippines, then Presidential candidate Rodrigo Duterte openly campaigned that he will push for the shift of federalism in the country as he believes that economic development should not only be in Metro Manila but should reach the most far flung areas in the country. He also added that peace and order can be easily obtained if governance itself starts at the local – especially in the south. He won in that election, but it’s not clear if his campaign for federalism help him to earn the trust of millions of Filipinos. 

FEDERALISM 
Generally, federalism is defined as a system of government in which the same territory is controlled by two levels of government. An overarching national government governs issues that affect the entire country, and smaller subdivisions govern issues of local concern. Both the national government and the smaller political subdivisions have the power to make laws and both have a certain level of autonomy from each other. The United States has a federal system of governance consisting of the national or federal government, and the government of the individual states. 
Currently, the Philippines employ a unitary form of government with much of the power, decisions, policies, and programs — emerging from the central government. So if the Philippines will shift to a federal form of government the country would probably divided into a number of states. But this proposal or shift in the form of government is no longer new in the Philippines. Even heroes such as Emilio Aguinaldo and Apolinario Mabini proposed to divide the country into three states. Sometime in 2008, Joint Resolution No. 10 proposed the revision of 14 of the 18 articles of the 1987 Philippine Constitution and the addition of two new articles. This proposal sought to adopt a federal presidential bicameral form of government which during that time was backed by 12 Senators. In 2008, Senator Aqulino Pimentel proposed the revision of the constitution and also proposed the creation of eleven autonomous regions in the country serving as the centers of finance and development. These are Northern Luzon with Tuguegarao as the capital; Central Luzon with Tarlac City as the capital; Southern Tagalog and Tagaytay as its capital; Minparom with Mamburao as capital; Bicol with Legazpi as the capital; Eastern Visayas with Catbalogan; Central Visayas with Cebu City as the capital; Western Visayas with Iloilo City as the capital, Northern Mindanao with Cagayan de Oro as the capital, Southern Mindanao with Davao City as the capital, BangsaMoro with Marawi as its capital and the Federal Administrative Region of Metro Manila.  

Within the joint resolution are proposals such as elections of senators based on states and those representing the overseas voters and the stat governor and vice-governor as one team. The Judicial and Bar Council which screens nominees to the judiciary would be abolished. Geographic locations of the three branches of the government would also be reconsidered. In the proposal, the legislative department would be transferred to what would become the State of Central Visayas while the judicial department would be moved somewhere within the State of Northern Luzon. The executice department would remain within the federal administrative region of Metro Manila. 
 
After his victory in May, President Duterte announced that a plebiscite will be held in the next two years to get a clearer picture on the proposed replacement of the unitary state with a federal one.
As we waits for two years, let us examine the pros and cons or the advantage and disadvantages of having a federal form of government. 

ADVANTAGES:
1.      PROMOTE LOCALS
In federal form of government, a state will have the power to make independent decisions even with little or most of the times no interference from the national government. Local decide for themselves base on a unique situation to a certain state. It would allow the promotion of development in a more specific condition. For instance, Northern Luzon can campaign for a no mining zone to promote sustainable development and environmental protection while Central Luzon can allow it for economic development. One thing more it could highlight the colourful traditions, culture and the people of a certain state through their unique policies. 
2.      MORE INVOLVED
In a democratic form of government, the people have a large say in what happens within the government. In federalism through the improved role of the local governments it allows people to feel even more involved in the decisions and every day workings of their government. This makes people much more proud and excited about their country. 
3.      EFFICIENCY
When some of the power of the government is dispersed among the states, giving states the right to solve some of their own problems, you allow for more efficiency within the system. To try to have a national solution to all problems, you may end up with solutions that are more effective in some states, and less effective in others. To allow states to create solutions to their own problems, using policies and laws that work best in their state, means that each state can come up with its own solution, making government more efficient. 
4.      IMMEDIATE RESPONSE
The closer a government entity to its citizen, the more likely it is the respond to the needs of citizens. For instance, during calamities a local government can easily pull all necessary resources for preparation, rescue and response to help those who are affected, rather than wait for a number of days to the respond of the national government. With the powers into the local, it could easily use its own fund to address certain problems that needs funding. 

DISADVANTAGES:
1.      PROMOTES REGIONALISM
It can make state governments selfish and concerned only about their own region’s development. They can formulate policies which might be detrimental to other regions. For example, pollution from a province which is promoting industrialization in a big way can affect another region which depends on agriculture. It could also create rivalries that might challenge the sense of unity in the country. 
2.      CAN LEAD TO CORRUPTION
A federal form of government is very expensive as more people are elected to office, both at the state and the center of the government. With more politicians being involved in a certain state it might lead to corruption. 
3.      ENHANCE DYNASTIES
Giving more power to the local level could also let the political families serving in a certain region to work harder to gain the power and control. It would actually enhance their presence by adding more family members to the government just to assure that they will remain intact. But the problem now is who lead a certain state that is composed of provinces controlled by different political families. For example in Northern Luzon, how century-old political families could reach a decision on who to lead their state - even election is given. 
4.      UNEVEN DISTRIBUTION OF WEALTH
It promotes regional inequalities. Natural resources, industries, employment opportunities and labor force differ from region to region. Therefore, earnings and wealth are unevenly distributed. More progressive states offer more opportunities and benefits to its people those poor states.

The points discussed are just some of the things we need to learn about federalism. Do you think the Philippines – the Filipino people are ready to shift to this form of government? 
 
^REFERENCES:
http://www.mb.com.ph/understanding-the-impact-of-federalism/
http://www.rappler.com/nation/politics/elections/2016/120166-federalism-pros-cons-explainer
http://www.philstar.com/opinion/2016/07/21/1605061/federalism-no-one-perfect-model
http://thenextgalaxy.com/the-advantages-and-disadvantages-of-federalism/
http://www.bloomp.net/articles/benefits_federalism.htm
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-federalism.html
http://www.sparknotes.com/us-government-and-politics/american-government/federalism/section4.rhtml
https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/federalism
 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federalism_in_the_Philippines

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