As the House of Representatives approve the amendment of the 1987 constitution and the institution of a federal form of government on its second reading through Resolution of Both Houses 15 (RBH15), the Philippines now takes a step towards a change in governance which is expected by the government to benefit the country.
RBH 15 argues that “many provisions of the 1987 Constitution have already served, if not outlived, their purpose,hence the sustained clamor over the years for amendments to or revision of the constitution finds justification in the need to provide, among other much needed socio-economic and political reforms, a long-term solution to the decades-old conflict in Mindanao and regional economic development in the countryside.”
Readmore at: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2018/12/04/1874171/house-oks-draft-federalism-charter-second-reading#cdvxcOvP7Ei6P1Wh.99
Federalism is the division of a government into a central governing authority and constituent political units called states or regions. According to the SWS survey conducted on March 23-27, 2018,75% of Filipinos are not aware about the federal system and only 25% are knowledgeable about the notion or simply 1 out of 4 Filipino adults.Nevertheless, 37 percent of respondents still agree with the revision of the Philippine constitution into a federal government.
Read more at: https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1004954/breaking-federal-system-what-75-of-filipinos-not-aware-sws-survey#ixzz5YnJjBJtJ
By dividing the country into 4 states, each government unit can focus on the development of its own industries, public safety, education, healthcare, transportation, recreation, and culture. The centralized governance in each state, with the acquisition of greater resource capacity for a lesser number of population can integrate development more effectively. Through fiscal autonomy for state governments, federalism will more evenly distribute the country’s wealth. In 2015, 35% of the national budget went to Metro Manila even if it represents only 14% of the Philippine population. Federalism is also said to lessen the corruption and other illegal activities in the government with the 4 states being under the national government who approves the funds and budget usage. “The shift to federalism, were iterate, would have no adverse effect on the Philippine economy,”presidential spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. said in an interview at the Malacanang Palace
Read more at: https://www.rappler.com/nation/politics/elections/2016/120166-federalism-pros-cons-explainer
“The most outstanding feature of a federal set-up is that our resources are ours to benefit from. If it is P100, you get P30, ipadala mo doon sa federal government (give it to the federal government), you retain P70,” said President Rodrigo Duterte in a speech on federalism.
A recent survey by Pulse Asia found that 67% of Filipinos oppose the change, while only 18 percent were in favour and the other 14 percent were undecided. According to this survey, most of the Filipinos are not in favor of revising the Philippine constitution because they see no necessary grounds in doing so. Some think that it is only a plot to extend the term of Pres. Rodrigo Duterte as others are also aware of the consequential cons of federalism. The effects of political dynasty, unequal development of regions, and issues on governance are possible threats of federalism.
The greater task on this idea to implement federalism is to orient and educate the citizens, to keep them aware and to acquire their cooperation if transition follows. The opposition of must Filipinos may be the result of the,75% of Filipinos who are not aware about the federal system and the only 25%who are aware about the notion. “We will therefore exert even more effort to inform and educate our citizens about federalism since the approval of the proposed changes in our current Charter ultimately lies in the hands of the Filipino people,” Roque said.
Read more at: https://www.philstar.com/opinion/2018/07/19/1834823/federalism-better-our-unitary-form#P1bkh2kXYQmRK6KH.99
The Writer 