Federalism in the Philippines

Emilio Aguinaldo and Apolinario Mabini intended the Philippines to be divided into three federal states, Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao.

Federalism in the Philippines (Filipino: Pederalismo sa Pilipinas) is a proposed form of government in the country.

History

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One of the first proponents of federalism in the Philippines 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.[1] 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.[2] 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. 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.[3]

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.[4] 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%.[5]

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.[6] He also saw the current system as "antiquated"[7] 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.[8] He added that the current unitary form of government has not worked well given the ethnic diversity in the country.[9] 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, whereby the latter is contrary to the originally proposed Joint Resolution No. 10.[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.[11] If approved, this law establishes the Bangsamoro as an autonomous region with its own parliamentary government and police force.[12] 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.[7]

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.[13] On December 7, 2016, Duterte signed Executive Order No. 10 creating a consultative committee to review the 1987 Constitution.[14]

Failed attempts

Joint Resolution No. 10

The resolution might have required the revision of 14 of the 18 Articles of the 1987 Philippine Constitution and the addition of two new articles. It sought to adopt a federal presidential bicameral form of government. This proposed resolution was backed by 12 senators of the Philippines: (Aquilino Q. Pimentel, Jr., Edgardo Angara, Rodolfo Biazon, Pia "Companera" Cayetano, Juan Ponce Enrile, Francis "Chiz" Escudero, Jinggoy Estrada, Gregorio Honasan, Panfilo Lacson, Francis Pangilinan, Ramon "Bong" Revilla, Manuel "Manny" Villar)[15]

In 2008, senator Aquilino Pimentel, Jr. proposed Joint Resolution No. 10, which would revise the current 1987 constitution and have created eleven autonomous regions out of the Philippine Republic, establishing eleven centers of finance and development in the archipelago.[16]

The proposal would result in the creation of eleven "states" and one federal administrative region.[17][18]

    Within the joint resolution are certain proposals such as election of senators based on states, senators representing overseas voters and the state 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 executive department would remain within the federal administrative region of Metro Manila.[19]

    House Concurrent Resolution No. 15

    Rep. Monico O. Puentevella on May 7, 2008, filed House Concurrent Resolution No. 15 which supported Senate Resolution No. 10 backed by 16 senators. Unlike the Nene Pimentel Senate Resolution, Puentevella included the option of holding a constitutional convention, but excluded the People's Initiative mode.[20] Prospero Nograles, a self-proclaimed advocate of federalism, on May 1, 2008, announced: "This federal system of government is close to my heart as a Mindanaoan leader and I'm sure most of the leaders in Mindanao will agree that we have long clamored for it. Senate Resolution 10 is a pleasant surprise because the Senate has a long history of opposing any move to amend the Constitution."[21] The joint Senate resolution called for the creation of 11 federal states in the country, by convening of Congress “into a constituent assembly for the purpose of revising the Constitution to establish a federal system of government.”

    2016 Revision on Federalism

    During the North Luzon Federalism Summit, former Senate President Aquilino Pimentel Jr. expressed that the Cordilleras should have a separate federal state from North Luzon since the people of the Cordillera have been fighting for it for many years and it is also within the current Constitution to give autonomy to the Cordilleras. He also made the same pronouncements during a live interview with journalist Karen Davila. With those declarations, the official federal states rose to 12, plus the capital state of Metro Manila.[22]

    Proposed designations and capitals
    Code State (Existing Region) Capital
    NC National Capital (NCR) Manila
    NL Northern Luzon (R1, R2) Tuguegarao
    CM Cordillera Mountains (CAR) Baguio
    CL Central Luzon (R3) Angeles
    SL Southern Luzon (R4A & R5) Batangas City
    WV Western Visayas (R4B & R6) Puerto Princesa
    CV Central Visayas (R7 & NIR) Cebu City
    EV Eastern Visayas (R8) Tacloban
    NM Northern Mindanao (R10 & R13) Cagayan de Oro
    WM Western Mindanao (R9) Zamboanga City
    SM Southern Mindanao (R11 & R12) Davao City
    MM Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Marawi

    References

    1. ↑ Brillantes, A. B.; Moscare, D. (2002). "Decentralization and federalism in the Philippines: Lessons from the global community" (PDF).
    2. ↑ Abueva, J. V. "Towards a Federal Republic of the Philippines: Liberating the country from the stifling, centralized, colonial control of "Imperial Manila"" (PDF).
    3. ↑ Abueva, J V. (2005). "Some advantages of federalism and parliamentary government for the Philippines" (PDF).
    4. ↑ "Thousands march in Makati vs. charter change". Retrieved 17 April 2015.
    5. ↑ "42% of Pinoys oppose charter change". Retrieved 17 April 2015.
    6. ↑ "Duterte wants cha-cha for federalism". Retrieved 17 April 2015.
    7. 1 2 "Duterte says gov't system antiquated, opens federalism summit today". Retrieved 17 April 2015.
    8. ↑ "Argument for federalism: Manila steals funds". Retrieved 17 April 2015.
    9. ↑ "Duterte visits Dumaguete City to promote federalism". Retrieved 17 April 2015.
    10. ↑ "Duterte eyes abolition of Congress if elected president in 2016". Retrieved 17 April 2015.
    11. ↑ "PNoy personally submits draft Bangsamoro law to Congress leaders". Retrieved 17 April 2015.
    12. ↑ "FAQs about the Bangsamoro Basic Law". Retrieved 17 April 2015.
    13. ↑ Inquirer, Philippine Daily. "Duterte: Polls on federalism in 2 yrs".
    14. ↑ Macas, T. (9 December 2016). "Duterte signs EO creating committee to review 1987 Constitution". GMA News. Retrieved 17 May 2017.
    15. ↑ "Federalism gets majority backing in Senate". Retrieved 17 April 2015.
    16. 1 2 Joint Resolution to Convene the Congress into a Constituent Assembly for the Purpose of Revising the Constitution to Establish a Federal System of Government (PDF), Senate of the Republic of the Philippines, April 23, 2008, retrieved 2008-06-27
    17. ↑ Eleven senators endorse federal system of govt.
    18. ↑ "Federalism in the Philippines?". Pilipino Express. December 16, 2014. Retrieved April 5, 2016.
    19. ↑ In a surprise move, senators give qualified yes to charter debate.
    20. ↑ "House resolution supports change in form of government".
    21. ↑ News, ABS-CBN. "House, Senate begin cha-cha talks next week".
    22. ↑ Guieb, Danica (August 21, 2016). "'Autonomy can co-exist with federalism'". Sun.Star Baguio.
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