As a Filipino I have my own
opinion with regards to a shift in the form of government as proposed by the
incoming Duterte Administration.
Federalism – definitions:
As I watched an interview by Ms.
Luchi Cruz Valdez to the Founding Chairman of the PDP Laban(if I get it right) former senator
Aquilino ‘Nene’ Pimentel in Reaksyon on TV5 5/29/2016 – it gave me additional information
about it.
I would definitely choose to
agree with having the Federal form of Government. It is the type that delegates
the responsibility of every state to its own Governor. I thought before that implementing it would
mean that every province or region would be independently governing itself.
But, the constitution CAN define the division (consisting of several provinces
to be considered as one state) like the example of Pimentel, he would suggest
eleven federal territories to consist the country - with the Bangsamoro Region, Bicol Region (I will update this list as soon as I got the copy of the interview , not able to jot it down).
This would somehow abolish the
need for a separate Bangsamoro Basic Law Policy. It gives freedom to each federal territory
the capability of running its own affairs without the long process of
centralized governance. The National government
can concentrate on other matters like the empowerment of government forces
(police, AFP, Marine and Air Force) foreign relations and policies as well as
the national matters as a whole.
Given the authority of
self-governance – infrastructures and other local government matters can be
easily addressed. The constituents
especially the elected officials within the territories have the ability to
figure out what they need.
Decision-making is vital in the implementation of helpful undertakings
LGUs can provide their state.
Compared to the existing
government where the budget provided for LGUs from their own income is just about
twenty percent (20%)of it, eighty (80%)goes to the National Coffers – whereas in
Federal form, it would be the reverse, the larger
share goes to the local government unit (LGU) for their budget. That is for
the funding of local infrastructures and other projects to alleviate the living
condition of their constituents not just by giving direct aids but providing
lifetime earning-opportunities to their constituents. It will also give rise to strive for the
establishment of more business opportunities, empowerment of micro, small,
medium enterprises for ordinary people – more business means more taxes, more
income for the LGU. The LGUs can opt to encourage/boost cooperatives, extend
loans to farmers, small-scale miners etc. – those are just examples I can
visualize but it would really be on the discretion of the elected frontrunner
officials.
Federalism does not mean that the
LGUs are not under the National Constitution – the Country’s Law and Policies
apply to them too according to Pimentel. But they can implement policies unique
to their particular LGU like in curfew policy, fines on plastic, stray dog
policy, etc.
The fear of the public lies in
the bigger possibilities of corruption.
Whatever form of government there is, but it does not hurt to try. And
we could easily see a corrupt LGU if the residents will not feel any difference
from before, lacking improvement in reaching-out for the masses – improvement
on health benefits and hospital buildings or health centers, provision of more
job opportunities, improved information and communication premises a well as
educational programs/aides for the citizens. The bigger funds LGU can have, the
bigger chance of providing better public service. And seeing the SERIOURS conviction of the elected
President Duterte on fighting corruption – I do not think the National
Government will not have time to check on the situation of each state having
lesser load to work-on – just supervision.
I do believe that the essence of
having elected officials for each municipality, province or congressional
district means that WE ARE WELL-AWARE that someone who is close can definitely
visualize the needed change, assistance and funding for each locality WHAT MORE
giving them MORE OPPORTUNITY and FUND to exercise their power to bring that
needed transformation?! I would be leaving that point to ponder o…what do you
think fellow Filipinos?
Update on the Interview I have quoted shall be posted as soon as it becomes available from Youtube.
Feel free to give your comments,
suggestions or even CORRECTION (for readers who are authority in this field of
topic) on this article to give us, your fellow-countrymen (especially the
youth-the students) helpful and reliable information about Federal form of
Government. It would really be deeply appreciated.
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