MERGED: FEDERAL DEMOCRACY: A solution to the sick country, the Philippines.

[Wind Shear]

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Its the same thing. It is even hard for Cebu to embrace federalism how much more if it decides to go on its own.

Same thing ka diyan! Know what, gikarir lagi nimo ang Arroyo hatred! My goodness! You think it can't stand on its own? Why don't you come to Cebu to have a look, right now?

Pahabol: The opposition and the leftists are opposed in the federalization, IMO.

[BayouPinoy]

I think Federalism is a very viable option for the Philippines. It will not cure all current and future problems (and there are many, notably the Mindanao-related issues of autonomy, etc), but represents opportunities for progress and creativity. There are certain aspects of the white papers and proposals about Philippine Federalism that I disagree with. This primarily involves how the proposed "states" will be carved from the current centralized model. In a federal system, certain functions are performed by the federal government alone (e.g., national defense), while specific duties are performed by the states (e.g., education, health); political power is not concentrated in a unitary system, rather distributed between the federal and state government, creating checks and balances that prevents a central government from fostering action contrary to a minority group. Very likely we will still have the current political elite in place in a Federal setting, but certain powers will be clipped (central government politicos), and "state" politicians will face increased scrutiny by and accountability to its constituents.

One model I have examined proposes to carve "states" along existing regional lines, except for a few cases. I think think exceptions should be made for the Visayas, i.e., I think we should "create" states along existing "geographic islands" as this not only makes practical sense, this also addresses subtle issues of "cultural differences." For example, if we poll Negros Oriental citizens as to their choice of which "state" they would rather belong to, I would think there will be a stronger inclination to join a state of "Negros" rather than the state of CebuNegrosOrientalBohol (I could be dead wrong on this). This creates problems for islands that do not have a strong industrial base, e.g., Samar. However, another federalism principle of "economic redistribution" should come into play. It will also create problems and opportunities for others, like Leyte. Currently, there are several "state universities" in Leyte. If Leyte is becomes state, it will not be able to support its "state universities" simply because it does not have the necessary industrial base to raise revenue to support "state funded" education. This will create opportunities for consolidation and efficiency, because any sane person will recognize that the current "state university" system in Leyte is not sustainable. Part of the Philippines' fiscal problems arise from waste and inefficiency that has become part and parcel of a corrupted system of patronage in the current scheme where the fiscal and political power resides in a central location. Checks and balances inherent in a the Federalist model will help create opportunities for efficiency.

People will have to pay a federal and a state tax. It shouldn't be any higher or lower than what people are paying now. The tax rates can be altered such that so much will go to the federal government and the rest goes to the state government for it to keep and use for its own purpose. Revenue raised by subunits like cities and towns will stay in the cities and towns for their respective use. The transition from the current unitary form to a federal form will not be smooth, it will be rough and there will be no easy answers, but it need not be expensive.

[giver_bert]

the main problem with federalism has to do with its implimentation... apparently, it will not come into realization for as long as the people in power who are charged with the duty will not do it.. current central government is a collective dictatorship of people motivated by a common interest and that is power and corruption.. to think that an amendment to the constitution which passess congress and signed by a president then ratified by the people is all it takes.. moreover, we need to be assured of the strong central authority if we are to adopt this..

communist social group seems to be avoided/diminish in a federal setup.. subjectively, it's either good or bad hehe..

i prefer federalism over the wholesale Parliamentary System promoted by ramos and de vencia though..

[Zirv]

I think if naa gali usbon sa atong constitution its the way we are nurturing traditional politician and political dynasties...The system is not the problem...The problem is those public officials who are almost always elected generation after generation... Gi monopoly mani atong goverment for a few families and they treat the people mura ra ug katabang nila...


I agree there is a need to correct our present constitution...The first thing we should correct is to STOP political dynasty...STOP tradition politicians...

1. limit to (1) one 4-5 year term for congressman, mayor, governor and so on.....no family member can aslo ran up to the 4th degree including spouses...

2. abolish pork barrel...funds should be distributed among the barangays equally not only those favored by the elected mayor, governor or congressman...additional funds can be addressed after making a project proposal and presentation...

3. senators should be elected based on the province or region pareha sa US of A ba.... para maka serve sila ug particular area...

[FK]

i prefer federalism over the wholesale Parliamentary System promoted by ramos and de vencia though..

same here... just imagine a powerful prime minister feeding the hungry crocs in the house. Even if the prime minister is very bad and not doing his/her job well, magpabilin gihapon siya as long as iya lawgan ang mga hangol nga mga buaya.

[riko diko]

@ tempest:
i understand federalism will be of great expense, but I don't think it'll surpass the expenses were having now. we can customize this federalism thing to fit our situation. if you say, we need to add more congressmen, how about we do not. you say we're going to spend a lot, how about we do not.
just a thought.

[jerx d great]

federal form of government surely elimimanates the control of those politicians in the imperial manila..!!!!!

[K]

PCIJ Article on Federalism: http://www.pcij.org/blog/?p=283
Jose Abueva (respected academic) on Federalism: http://www.pcij.org/blog/wp-docs/Abueva-Federalism.pdf

They seem amenable to the idea. They do not mention the disadvantages that the thread starter has pointed out. The advantages however seem to outweigh the disadvantages.

It seems countries with the federal system are more successful than unitarian ones:
India vs. Pakistan
Malaysia vs. Indonesia
Mexico vs. the other Latin American countries

[mAlD|tO]

pLEASE present strong basis why you can handle it. Its not enough that you declare you can handle it. Show concrete, sound and academic proofs why you can handle it than you too often hollow declarations.

kung budget lang imo tan-awon part! pwede man nimo tan-awon pilay contribution namo (CEBU) sa panudlanan sa Pilipinas! hahaha hadlok man gud ang taga Manila na malabwan mao na!

[Wind Shear]

P 2.3 billion in assets, and zero debt, according to th State of Provincial Address by Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia.