You are on page 1of 5

Federalism in the Philippines

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 nancial mobilization is upon each states or provinces discretion without signicant constraint from the central government.[4]
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 oce.[5] 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 signicant
change of sentiment against charter change, but indecision increased by 6%.[6]
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.[7] He also saw the current system as
antiquated[8] 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 suers the most
from ethnoreligious conicts.[9] He added that the current
unitary form of government has not worked well given
the ethnic diversity in the country.[10] 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.[11]

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

Federalism is a proposed form of government in


the Philippines. Philippine national heroes Emilio
Aguinaldo and Apolinario Mabini were the rst to suggest dividing the islands into three federal states.[1]

History

One of the rst 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 eciently cater to the needs of
the country despite its diversity.[2] 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.[3] Aside from
Abueva, senator Aquilino Pimentel, Jr. is a prominent
supporter of federalism who, since 2001, has advocated

Movements for federalism were further intensied since


the draft of the Bangsamoro Basic Law was submitted by
Philippine president Benigno Aquino III to the Congress
in September 10, 2014.[12] If approved, this law establishes the Bangsamoro as an autonomous region with its
own parliamentary government and police force.[13] Approval of the Bangsamoro structure provides federalism
proponents and supporters added condence to clamor
1

REFERENCES

for the national government to enact reforms towards a is close to my heart as a Mindanaoan leader and I'm sure
more decentralized system for the rest of the country.[8] most of the leaders in Mindanao will agree that we have
President-elect Rodrigo Duterte stated in May 2016 that long clamored for it. Senate Resolution 10 is a pleasant
of opposing
a plebiscite on the proposed replacement of the unitary surprise because the Senate has a long history
[21]
any
move
to
amend
the
Constitution.
The
joint Sen[14]
state with a federal one will be held in two years.
ate 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
2 Failed attempts
establish a federal system of government.

2.1

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 the
following 12 senators of the Philippines: (SENATORS
AQUlLlNO Q. PIMENTEL, JR., EDGARDO ANGARA, RODOLFO BIAZON, PIA COMPANERA
CAYETANO, JUAN PONCE ENRILE, FRANCIS
CHIZ ESCUDERO, JINGGOY ESTRADA, GREGORlO 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 nance and development in the archipelago.[16]
Eleven states plus one federal administrative region was
proposed.[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]

2.2

House Concurrent Resolution No. 15

3 References
[1] The debate on federalism. New Straits Times. 28 May
2016. Retrieved 17 April 2015.
[2] Brillantes, A. B.; Moscare, D. (2002). Decentralization
and federalism in the Philippines: Lessons from the global
community (PDF).
[3] Abueva, J. V. Towards a Federal Republic of the Philippines: Liberating the country from the stiing, centralized, colonial control of Imperial Manila"" (PDF).
[4] Abueva, J V. (2005). Some advantages of federalism and
parliamentary government for the Philippines (PDF).
[5] Thousands march in Makati vs. charter change. Retrieved 17 April 2015.
[6] 42% of Pinoys oppose charter change. Retrieved 17
April 2015.
[7] Duterte wants cha-cha for federalism. Retrieved 17
April 2015.
[8] Duterte says gov't system antiquated, opens federalism
summit today. Retrieved 17 April 2015.
[9] Argument for federalism: Manila steals funds. Retrieved 17 April 2015.
[10] Duterte visits Dumaguete City to promote federalism.
Retrieved 17 April 2015.
[11] Duterte eyes abolition of Congress if elected president in
2016. Retrieved 17 April 2015.
[12] PNoy personally submits draft Bangsamoro law to
Congress leaders. Retrieved 17 April 2015.
[13] FAQs about the Bangsamoro Basic Law. Retrieved 17
April 2015.
[14] http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/786631/
duterte-polls-on-federalism-in-2-yrs

Rep. Monico O. Puentevella on May 7, 2008, led House [15] Federalism gets majority backing in Senate. Retrieved
17 April 2015.
Concurrent Resolution No. 15 which supported Senate
Resolution No. 10 backed by 16 senators. Unlike the
[16] JOINT RESOLUTION TO CONVENE THE CONGRESS
Nene Pimentel Senate Resolution, Puentevella included
INTO A CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY FOR THE PURPOSE
the option of holding a constitutional convention, but
OF REVISING THE CONSTITUTION TO ESTABLISH A
excluded the Peoples Initiative mode.[20] Prospero NoFEDERAL SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT (PDF), Senate of
grales, a self-proclaimed advocate of federalism, on May
the Republic of the Philippines, April 23, 2008, retrieved
1, 2008, announced: This federal system of government
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 qualied yes to charter
debate.
[20] gmanews.tv/story, House resolution supports change in
form of government
[21] abs-cbnnews.com, House, Senate begin cha-cha talks next
week

External links
Press release: Pimentel les resolution on federal system, Senate of the Philippines, 14th Congress, April
23, 2008, retrieved 2008-04-25
Aquilino Q. Pimentel, Jr., Egardo Angara, Rdudolfo
Biazon, Pia Compaera Cayetano, Juan Ponce
Enrile, Francis Chiz Escudero, Jinggoy Estrada,
Gregario Honasan, Panlo lacson, Francis Pangilinan, Ramon Bong Revilla, Manuel Manny Vilar (23 April 2008), Joint Resolution No. 10: A Joint
Resolution to convene Congress into a Constituent Assembly for the purpose of revising the constitution to
establish a federal system of government (PDF), Senate of the Philippines, retrieved 2008-05-13

5 TEXT AND IMAGE SOURCES, CONTRIBUTORS, AND LICENSES

Text and image sources, contributors, and licenses

5.1

Text

Federalism in the Philippines Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federalism_in_the_Philippines?oldid=732569146 Contributors:


The Anome, Seav, Conti, Davidcannon, Icairns, Bluemask, Wtmitchell, Woohookitty, Toussaint, BD2412, Ground Zero, RussBot,
Dmaestoso, SmackBot, Yamaguchi , Hmains, WayKurat, JHunterJ, Joseph Solis in Australia, Phildm, Biruitorul, Marek69, The Anomebot2, VolkovBot, Oshwah, Rizalninoynapoleon, Pare Mo, Mk32, Niceguyedc, Vivalipinas, Acer Cyle, Satoshi32, Addbot, AnomieBOT,
LilHelpa, TechBot, P3t3rpryd3, Kuhitkuhit, SuperJew, Hariboneagle927, Dcirovic, Janbryan, Akuindo, FamilyGuy1998, Technical
13, BG19bot, RioHondo, Pansitkanton, RenRen070193, Shhhhwwww!!, Mclovin'tosh, Gobautista, Iloilo Wanderer, Helanzovinicius,
TagaSanPedroAko, Punong Patnugot, The Quixotic Potato, Rotex69, Jumark27 and Anonymous: 35

5.2

Images

File:Civil_Service_Commission.svg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/dd/Civil_Service_Commission.svg


License: Public domain Contributors: Civil Service Commission Original artist: Civil Service Commission
File:Coat_of_Arms_of_the_Philippines.svg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/84/Coat_of_arms_of_the_
Philippines.svg License: Public domain Contributors: http://www.op.gov.ph/museum/symbols_coa.asp Original artist: Vectorized by
Zachary Harden (User:Zscout370).
File:Commission_on_Audit.svg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0a/Commission_on_Audit.svg License:
Public domain Contributors: National Historical Commission Original artist: Commission on Audit, Philippines
File:Federal_philippines_(letter_coded)_map.svg
Source:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7a/Federal_
philippines_%28letter_coded%29_map.svg License: CC BY-SA 3.0 Contributors: Philippines location map (square).svg and states
dened on the Senate Resolution 10 Original artist: Hellerick
File:Federal_states_of_the_Philippines.png Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/54/Island_regions_of_the_
Philippines.png License: CC-BY-SA-3.0 Contributors: ? Original artist: ?
File:Flag_of_the_Philippines.svg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/99/Flag_of_the_Philippines.svg License: Public domain Contributors: The design was taken from [1] and the colors were also taken from a Government website Original
artist: User:Achim1999
File:Rodrigo_Duterte_2013.jpg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d5/Rodrigo_Duterte_2013.jpg License:
Public domain Contributors: Malacaang Photo Bureau Original artist: Ryan Lim
File:Seal_of_the_Philippine_House_of_Representatives.svg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5f/Seal_
of_the_Philippine_House_of_Representatives.svg License: Public domain Contributors:
Seal of the Philippine House of Representatives.png: <a href='//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Seal_of_the_Philippine_
House_of_Representatives.png' class='image'><img alt='Seal of the Philippine House of Representatives.png' src='https:
//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8e/Seal_of_the_Philippine_House_of_Representatives.png/50px-Seal_of_
the_Philippine_House_of_Representatives.png' width='50' height='50' srcset='https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/
8/8e/Seal_of_the_Philippine_House_of_Representatives.png/75px-Seal_of_the_Philippine_House_of_Representatives.png
1.5x,
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8e/Seal_of_the_Philippine_House_of_Representatives.png/100px-Seal_of_
the_Philippine_House_of_Representatives.png 2x' data-le-width='1000' data-le-height='1000' /></a>
Original artist: Coat of Arms of the Philippines.svg: Vectorized by Zachary Harden (Zscout370).
File:Seal_of_the_Philippine_Senate.svg Source:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b5/Seal_of_the_Philippine_
Senate.svg License: Public domain Contributors: File:Seal of the Philippine Senate.png Original artist: Fred the Oyster
File:Seal_of_the_President_of_the_Philippines.svg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/59/Seal_of_the_
President_of_the_Philippines.svg License: Public domain Contributors: Manuel Quezon IIIs compilation of previous Philippine Presidential Inaugurals Original artist: Philippine Government
File:Seal_of_the_Supreme_Court_of_the_Republic_of_the_Philippines.svg Source:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/
commons/6/61/Seal_of_the_Supreme_Court_of_the_Republic_of_the_Philippines.svg License:
Public domain Contributors:
This vector image includes elements that have been taken or adapted from this: <a href='//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:
Coat_of_arms_of_the_Philippines.svg' class='image'><img alt='Coat of arms of the Philippines.svg' src='https://upload.wikimedia.org/
wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/84/Coat_of_arms_of_the_Philippines.svg/18px-Coat_of_arms_of_the_Philippines.svg.png'
width='18'
height='20' srcset='https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/84/Coat_of_arms_of_the_Philippines.svg/27px-Coat_
of_arms_of_the_Philippines.svg.png 1.5x,
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/84/Coat_of_arms_of_the_
Philippines.svg/36px-Coat_of_arms_of_the_Philippines.svg.png 2x' data-le-width='822' data-le-height='912' /></a> Coat of arms of
the Philippines.svg. Original artist: J-Ronn
File:Seal_of_the_Vice_President_of_the_Republic_of_the_Philippines.svg Source:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/
commons/5/5e/Seal_of_the_Vice_President_of_the_Republic_of_the_Philippines.svg License: Public domain Contributors: This vector
image includes elements that have been taken or adapted from this: <a href='//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Seal_of_the_President_
of_the_Philippines.svg' class='image'><img alt='Seal of the President of the Philippines.svg' src='https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/
commons/thumb/5/59/Seal_of_the_President_of_the_Philippines.svg/20px-Seal_of_the_President_of_the_Philippines.svg.png'
width='20' height='20' srcset='https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/59/Seal_of_the_President_of_the_Philippines.
svg/30px-Seal_of_the_President_of_the_Philippines.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/59/Seal_
of_the_President_of_the_Philippines.svg/40px-Seal_of_the_President_of_the_Philippines.svg.png 2x' data-le-width='395' data-leheight='393' /></a> Seal of the President of the Philippines.svg. Original artist: J-Ronn

5.3

5.3

Content license

Content license

Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0

You might also like