2019

FEDERALISM

reporter: Raymond V. Membreve

 Part 1/ What is Federalism
in the Philippines?

Content Part 2/ How federalism works?

Part 3/ Pros and Cons of federalism

in the Philippines?
Federalism in the Philippines (Filipino: Federalismo sa Pilipinas)

ADD TITLE

1 According to your need to draw the text box

size.Please read the instructions and more work
at the end of the manual template.

ADD TITLE
According to your need to draw the text box
2 size.Please read the instructions and more work
at the end of the manual template.

ADD TITLE
According to your need to draw the text box
3 size.Please read the instructions and more work
at the end of the manual template.
What is the best definition of federalism?
Federalism is a system of government in which entities such as
states or provinces share power with a national government. It is a
proposed type of government.

Under a federal government, power is divided between the central

government and local state governments. Each state shall be
empowered to handle their own laws, finances, development plans,
health, education, and infrastructure, among others.

Currently, the Philippines is under a unitary form of government

with power and authority vested in the so-called "imperial" Manila.
What is Federalism in the Philippines?

Federalism divides the country into several autonomous states with a national government.

The Philippines is currently under a unitary form of government - this means that the central
government is the highest governing power. It receives a large part of every region's income
and redistributes it, often disproportionately so. Our autonomous regions, provinces,
municipalities and barangays can only exercise powers and enact policies that the central
government chooses to delegate to them.

President Rodrigo Duterte, who had a stunning electoral victory, championed federalism,
envisioning it as the key to bring "lasting peace, progress, and prosperity for all of our peoples.”

KEYS
 The 'five states'

Based on the proposals submitted by the House

constitutional amendments committee, the territory of
the future Federal Republic of the Philippines will be
divided into five states composed of Luzon, Visayas,
Mindanao, Bangsamoro, and Metro Manila.

Under the proposal, each state shall have its own State
Constitution, adopt its name, and choose a capital, flag,
How federalism
anthem, and seal.
works?
Each state shall have a unicameral state assembly with
legislative powers, and a premiere exercising executive
powers.
The proposed federal charter retains the position of the
President, who would act as head of state, and
introduces the position of a Prime Minister, who would
be the head of the government.
 The President shall be elected by direct vote of the
people for a term of four years with one re-election,
while the Prime Minister shall be elected by a majority
of all the members of the Parliament from among
themselves.

The proposed Parliament shall consist of the Federal

Assembly as the national legislative department, and
the Senate, as the legislative body representative of the How federalism
regions.
works?
The bicameral parliament shall be composed of a 300-
member Federal Assembly and a 15-member Senate,
with each state electing three senators.
The autonomous states are even further divided into
local government units.

They will have the main responsibility over developing

their local industries, public health and safety,
education, transportation, and culture. These states
have more power over their finances, policies,
development plans, and laws.
How federalism
works?
How federalism
works?
How federalism
works?
PROS and CONS
FEDERALISM
What are advantages of federal form of
government and why is it attractive to Filipinos?

Firstly, under a federal government, states are empowered to make their own decisions.
They no longer need to rely on the central government to decide for them. This is
important to note in the Philippine context because of the vast geographical and
cultural differences between regions - differences that the central government may
not always be able to cater to.

Furthermore, decentralization in the Philippines would allow states to keep more of their
income to themselves.

They do not have to rely on collecting real estate tax and business permit fees - 80%
of their total earned income stays, while only 20% goes back to the national
government. This means that states are able to channel their own income for their
own development, creating policies and programs suitable for them without having
to wait for the national government to approve.

Mayor Duterte presents federalism as a possible solution to the Mindanao conflict instead of
implementing the Bangsamoro Basic Law.
What are advantages of federal form of
government and why is it attractive to Filipinos?

Another good thing he noted with Federalism is the provision that no candidate for any
elective position can ran unless he is a college graduate or has achieved equivalent
points as may be accredited by CHED.
What are disadvantages of a federated Philippines?
The first problem the Philippines would have to iron out would be the overlaps in jurisdiction.

Unless responsibilities of state governments and national governments are very

clearly stated in the amended Constitution, there will be ambiguities that can lead to
conflict and confusion.

Next, there is always a chance that it will bring more division than unity in the Philippines.

It can arise from more than just increased hostility between ethnic groups -
competition between states can quickly become unhealthy, and can lead to the
regionalism that is currently already challenging the unity of the country.

Moreover, development of the states in a federal form of government might not even work at
all.
Some states may not be as gifted or as ready for autonomy as others. A major
concern is that while some states may progress faster, the converse is also true
because other states may devolve faster as well - even more so without a national
government to back them up.
What would the Philippines look like under transition to a federal form
of government?

While the idea of federalism in the Philippines

is attractive for most Filipinos, the possible benefits that are marketed by
the idea will inevitably come at a cost, and will require extensive time
and effort from both governments and citizens alike.

President Duterte has to make sure the people are satisfied with the division
of responsibilities that will be stated in the Amendment, and that the work
towards building a federalist country will not alienate other states or leave them
behind, the way they are being left behind right now.

Introducing a federal form of government in the Philippines is one of the goals of

President Rodrigo Duterte in his six-year term.
THANK you!
Raymond Membreve