Republic of the Philippines

University of Northern Philippines

Tamag, Vigan City

COLLEGE OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

Introduction to Public Administration - PA 201

JOEL C. BAGOYO CRESCENCIO B. VELASCO, MBA, MPA

MPA-GA PROFESSOR

FEDERALISM

Federalism is a system of government in which constitution divides power between a

central government and regional or sub-divisional governments. Both types of government act
directly upon the people through their officials and laws. The principle defines the relationship
between central government at the national level and its constituent units at the regional, state, or
local levels. There are two or more levels of government and the citizens are governed by the
different levels of government, but each level has its own jurisdiction in specific matters of
legislation, taxation, and administration.

According to Graham Smith, federalism can be considered as an ideology which holds

the the ideal organization of human affairs is best reflected in the collaboration of diversity
through unity. Federalism is a system of political organization uniting separate states or other
units in such a way as to allow each to remain a political entity. A federal system which differs
from other methods of organizing states in being based on a contractual agreement by separate
government to share power among themselves.(Daniel Elazar)

As a political system permitting large measure of regional self-rule , presumably gives

the rulers and the ruled a preserve r of their liberties, and a vehicle for flexible response to their
problems. These features, broadly construed, are said to reduce conflict between diverse
communities, even as a federated polity affords inter-jurisdictional competition that encourages
innovations and constrains the overall growth of government. (Martin Diamond).

According to Preston King there are four essential requirements for federalism, namely:
Its representation is preponderantly territorial, This territorial representation is characteristically
secured on at least two sub-national levels which he refers to as 'local' and 'regional' government,
The regional units are incorporated electorally or perhaps otherwise, into the decision procedure
of the national centre, The incorporation of the regions into the decision procedure of the centre
can be altered only by extraordinary constitutional measures, not, for example, by resort to a
simple majority vote of the national legislature or by the autonomous decision of the national
executive.

There are also principles such as Constitutionalism, Distribution and separation of power,
Checks and balances, Limited government, Legalism, Multi-culturalism, Political pluralism,
Non-centralization subsidiarity, Subsidiarity.

Federation is the most popular spicy of the genius called federalism, and although there may
be federalism without federation; there can be no federation without some marching varieties of
federalism (Ojo 2010). Some features have been outlined by Ojo (2010), that distinguish
federations from other political arrangements, federative systems or institutional expressions of
federalism. These features are;

The existence of two order of government and not levels

The national government deals directly with individual citizens, unlike in a confederation
where direct relationship is likely to lie between the confederal government and the
constituent units or states.
A written constitution that specifies inter-governmental division of power and assures
both orders of government that their allotted powers cannot be unilaterally or arbitrarily
withdrawn.
The constitution that is not unlikely amenable and that is based on the consent of all or a
majority of the constituent units.
The allocation of revenues and resources between the two orders of government.
Each order of government must have some autonomy; the ability to make some decisions
independently of the others.
Provision for the representation of regional views within national policy making
institutions
Bi-cameral legislature I which one house represents people at large and the other a
component unit of the federation
The over-representation of the smaller component units on a federal or upper house of the
legislature
A process that facilitates inter-governmental relation or interactions or operations within
the orders of government.
An umpire unusually in a judiciary with rules on disputes between the orders of
government.
Non-centralized government; powers shared to regional governments in federations are
relatively large and entrenched, compared to that of regional government in centralized
unitary states.

In every step there are reasons and to enumerate some reasons for federalism these are:
The ascendance of a strong man or irrational leader to the central or national politics; Gross
cultural and ethnic conflicts within the federations; The absence of a federally inclined political
culture, process and practice; The absence of federal elements in the federal parliamentary
process; The lack of sufficient sense of common interest or goal among the elements,
nationalities and citizens of a federal system; Disparity in size, wealth structural arrangement as
well as the related features of federations.
 Philippines has been a developing country for a long long time, many presidents have
tried and Filipinos have suffered and experienced every step the government have implemented
to make a better Philippines but in the long run problems arose, like for example corruption,
poverty, and a lot more. The task of governance is a means to an end, and not an end in itself,
thus its a process that is continuous, and that seeks to provide satisfaction to those that constitute
it. The search for a more convenient and efficient style of government is the focus of any nation
that has the interest of its citizens and environment at heart; any nation that aspires for
development.

President Rodrigo Dutertes platform, Federalism is now the hot topic of the country and
all Filipinos all over the world. The current administration has set its goals in
eradicating/addressing the problems that the Philippines has been facing and believes that
Federalism would solve all the root causes of our problems in this nation. There are reasons why
Federalism is needed to enumerate some, there are major conflicts, or at least differing interests
between parts of the country and to site an example the USA chose a federal system because its
original 13 colonies anted to retain a lot of sovereignty and only give up a little of it to the
national government and they were quite different from one another.

We presently have a unitary form of government. Most administrative powers and

resources are with the national government based in Metro Manila. It's Malacaang that decides
how much to give local government units. The process is prone to abuse, with governors and
mayors sometimes having to beg Malacaang for projects they believe their communities need.
How local government units spend their budget has to be approved by the national government.
In federalism, the states will have the power to make these decisions with little or no interference
from the national government.

The following are some Pros and Cons:

Locals decide for themselves. Regions have their own unique problems, situations,
geographic, cultural, social and economic contexts. Federalism allows them to create solutions to
their own problems instead of distant Metro Manila deciding for them.

More power over funds, resources. Right now, local government units can only collect
real estate tax and business permit fees. In federalism, they can retain more of their income and
are required to turn over only a portion to the state government they fall under.

Brings government closer to the people. If detractors say federalism will only make
local political dynasties more powerful, supporters give the argument that, in fact, it will make
all local leaders, including those part of political dynasties, more accountable to their
constituents. State governments will no longer have any excuse for delays in services or projects
that, in the present situation, are often blamed on choking bureaucracy in Manila.
 Encourages competition.With states now more self-reliant and in control of their
development, they will judge themselves relative to how their fellow states are progressing. The
competitive spirit will hopefully motivate state leaders and citizens to level up in terms of quality
of life, economic development, progressive policies, and governance.

Promotes specialization.The national and state governments can specialize in different

policy domains. With most administrative powers now with the regional governments, the
national government can focus on foreign policy, defense, and other nationwide concerns, like
healthcare and taxation.

Possible solution to the Mindanao conflict. The creation of the state of Bangsamoro
within a federalist system may address concerns of separatists who crave more autonomy over
the administration of Muslim Mindanao.

Decongestion of Metro Manila. 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.

Lessens dependence on Metro Manila. When there is political upheaval in Metro

Manila, other regions that have nothing to do with the chain of events are left waiting for the
resources that ony the national government can release. With federalism, regions work
independently of Metro Manila for most concerns.

Possibly divisive. Healthy competition among states can become alienating creating
rivalries and promoting the regionalism that some say already challenges the sense of unity in the
country. It could enflame hostilities between ethnic groups in the country like Tagalogs,
Cebuanos, Bicolanos, Ilocanos, Tausugs, and Zamboangueos.

Uneven development among states. Some states may not be as ready for autonomy as
others. Some states may not be as rich in natural resources or skilled labor as others. States with
good leaders will progress faster while states with ineffective ones will degrade more than ever
because national government will not be there to balance them out.

Confusing overlaps in jurisdiction. Where does the responsibility of state governments

end and where does the responsibility of the national government begin? Unless these are very
clearly stated in the amended Constitution, ambiguities may arise, leading to conflict and
confusion. For instance, in times of disaster, what is the division of responsibilities between state
and national governments?
 May not satisfy separatists in Mindanao. Separatists are calling for their own country,
not just a state that still belongs to a larger federal Philippines. Federalism may not be enough for
them. After all, the conflict continues despite the creation of the Autonomous Region in Muslim
Mindanao.

The Philippines needs to build relationships that benefits them and those needs and
relationships can change over time. Shifting to federalism won't come cheap. It would entail
billions of pesos to set up state governments and the delivery of state services. States will then
have to spend for the elections of their officials. It wont be easy to make people believe because
differing beliefs and ideas. For example, considering the fact that two person in the same place,
looking at the same incident, your respective observations will never be the same. This is
because the extent to which our critical mind can absorb and process reality is limited by the sum
total of our individual life experiences.

While we are on the process still there are no 100% sure answers to our questions like;
Will it really solve our nations problems? What will happen to the Philippines? Will we be able
to make the Philippines Brighter and better or will it make us poorer? Will we be really free from
corruption? Poverty? Inequality? Danger? and a lot more.

The fact that we will be shifting to a very big change on the style of our government, we
do not know what will come next, but what we can do is to open our minds because change is
inevitable however let us make it essential. No matter how good the structure, it will always
depend on the people governed by it.