Will the Philippines make another attempt at federalism and move away from its unitary presidential government?
It was a topic of discussion among my Filipino journalist friends 10 years ago. They were all for it. Their argument was that the governing style had failed to uplift the nation and, more importantly, the livelihoods of the Filipinos.
The unitary presidential system sees administrative powers and resources concentrated on a central or national government, and in the Philippines, it revolves around the capital, Manila, and its corridors of power.
Despite the major portion of the national income coming from various parts of the country, not much is rechannelled to its source.
The Malaysian federation was cited by these Filipino journalists. Their argument was that such a governing system had not only benefited Malaysians but also seen the nation being propelled as an “Asian Tiger” economy.
They were of the belief that federalism would enable the Philippines to emerge from being the sick man of Asia to be the next economic miracle.
Federalism had been a hot topic in the Philippines many years ago. It was first brought up in 1899, when the Malolos Constitution, the basic law of the First Philippine Republic, was drafted.
Filipino revolutionary leaders Apolinario Mabini and Emilio Aguinaldo had proposed during the framing of the then new republic’s constitution that it should follow a three federal state formula representing the country’s three island groups — Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
Another proposal was not to have three, but 10 federal states distributed according to the island groups. Luzon would have four federal states, Visayas three and Mindanao three, one of which was to be a Bangsamoro state.
The proposals were, however, dismissed, to give way for the more critical issue of unifying the diverse nation.
Fast forward more than a century later, the federal system idea was given a new lease of life, with the prime mover being former Filipino senator Aquilino Pimentel Jr who, since 2001, had been advocating the move.
In 2008, together with 11 other lawmakers, Pimentel proposed the Joint Resolution No. 10 in the Philippines Senate. Their proposal would have led to the creation of 11 states and one federal administrative region in the republic.
In tabling the joint resolution, the lawmakers believed that the federalisation of the republic would speed up the development of the nation. It would also dissipate the causes of insurgency across the land, particularly the centuries-old Moro rebellion.
However, the joint resolution did not proceed after the tabling as some lawmakers were worried that it might be used to extend the term of then president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, who was deeply unpopular due to corruption and vote-rigging allegations, beyond the end of her term in 2010.
The just-concluded Philippine presidential election has again put the spotlight on the federal system of governance.
Apart from President-elect Rodrigo Duterte making it a campaign issue, it was taken up by several other presidential candidates.
Duterte, the first to be elected from Mindanao, has been a proponent of the federal government system for quite some time.
Known as “Dirty Harry” for his no-nonsense law enforcement measures, he believes federalism will be key to addressing problems peculiar to his native Mindanao, such as underdevelopment and armed conflict.
Duterte is looking at granting regions autonomy through federalism, and designate House of Representative Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez believes this could be the key to resolving the stalled Bangsamoro Basic Law Bill (BBL).
BBL, a key component of the peace deal signed by the Aquino administration with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) separatist group, is aimed at creating a new Muslim autonomous region in Mindanao.
It stalled in February this year after the Philippine Congress failed to vote on it and the house was adjourned for the presidential campaign.
With renewed interest on the federalism system, the pros and cons of the move continue to be debated and discussed.
Supporters of the federal government system say:
IT allows regions to create solutions to their own problems instead of the central government, in this case Manila deciding for them;
IT allows regions to retain more of their income and will be required to turn over only a portion to the state government they fall under;
IT allows the national and state governments to specialise in different policy domains. With most of the administrative powers resting with the regional governments, the national government can focus on foreign policy, defence and other national concerns such healthcare, taxation and employment;
THE creation of the state of Bangsamoro within a federal system may address concerns of more autonomy over the administration of Muslim Mindanao; and,
THROUGH fiscal autonomy for state governments, federalism will more evenly distribute the country’s wealth. Last year, 35 per cent of the national budget went to Manila even if it represented only 14 per cent of the population.
Those who are against the federal government system say:
HEALTHY competition among states can become alienating, creating rivalries and promoting regionalism that some say already challenge the sense of unity in the country;
SOME states may not be as abundant in natural resources or have skilled labour as others. States with capable leaders will progress faster while those with ineffective ones will degrade because the national government will not be present to balance them out;
THERE is the question of authority — where does the responsibility of state government end and the responsibility of the national government begin? Unless these are clearly stated in the amended constitution, ambiguities may arise, leading to conflict and confusion; and,
FEDERALISM may not be enough for the state of Bangsamoro. Conflict continues despite the creation of the autonomous region in Muslim Mindanao.
No doubt the move for federalism may see billions of pesos used, which could have been used for more urgent needs.
However, it will enable the 102 million Filipinos to reap the benefits of a strong local government and a national government concentrating on international relations, defence, health, employment, finances and the economy.
The writer, B. Suresh Ram is a curious cat who believes that his curiosity is going to get the better of him one day.