A total of 16 out of 23 Senators of the Republic, led by Minority Leader Aquilino Pimintel, Jr., have supported the beginning of discussions related to changing the form of government last week.
This blog aims to feel the pulse of the Filipino on-line citizens from a fellow on-line citizen, devoid of any political, cultural, religious, intellectual, or other such biases, and aims to be a free forum to discuss the topic.
The main issue is whether or not we should proceed with such a move. I will be setting up a page for those who do not agree in changing the form of government.
But for those who do wish to consider this move to a federal form of government, more pages will be set up to address the following areas:
1. The States (Ang mga Bayan) – How many is too many?
2. Federal Legislature – Parliamentary or Presidential/Bicameral?
3. Symbols of the Federation – A Chance for Cultural Enrichment, Part 1
4. Federal Territory – Sabah, Kalayaan Islands, et al.
5. Economics and Federalism – Will the Shift have an Effect?
6. Federal Nomenclature – A Chance for Cultural Enrichment, Part 2
I will also set up links on useful on-line articles and views. It is expected that those who wish to participate in this blog will make informed comments by reading the resources available. Readers are also welcome to share their resources, so that we all will have a depository here in this blog.
These are but the first steps. For early visitors to the blog, please feel free to post a comment and share your views on how this could be set up.
Once in a while, I aim to share my views on history and politics, from the perspective of an educated citizen of the Philippines.
24 comments
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April 30, 2008 at 6:14 pm
batang buotan
I appreciate your noble intentions in starting up this blog. This is a good venue for an intelligent discussion on this matter. As noted by Sen. Biazon in Resolution No. 10, “it is about time that this issue is put to serious national debate.
This is a good start, indeed.
May 6, 2008 at 6:39 pm
batang buotan
Antonio C. Abaya wrote in Manila Standard his critique Pimentel’s resolution:
a) it is a Trojan horse to re-introduce a twice-defeated (in 2006-07) maneuver to shift to a parliamentary system, to enable President Arroyo to remain in power beyond 2010, as prime minister, similar to the maneuver of Vladimir Putin in Russia;
b) the resolution’s stated objective, “to spur economic growth,” is a no-brainer since, as I pointed out in my article, the Philippines’ failure to develop as fast as its neighbors in the past 50 years can be traced to poor, even stupid, economic policies and strategies, not to its being a unitary state;
c) most of the successful countries in our part of the world—Japan, China, South Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand—all achieved economic success as unitary states; only one—Malaysia—as a federal union; so there is nothing wrong with being a unitary state as long as the correct economic strategies and policies are pursued; on the other hand, a federal union with wrong economic strategies and policies would stagnate, e.g. Myanmar.
d) archipelagic countries—Japan, Indonesia, the Philippines—are unitary states also for pragmatic reasons: being made up of islands, they are vulnerable to centrifugal forces that would encourage secession and disunity.
e) Senator Pimentel is challenged to name even only one example of a country that shifted from unitary to federal—or from federal to unitary—and thus achieved prosperity as a result of that shift. He has not obliged.
I share this for us to discuss.
May 7, 2008 at 2:01 am
federalpinoy
Thanks for the inputs. I too have read the article by Mr. Abaya and, although I deem not myself as an esteemed writer as he is, offer the following response, on a per-item basis:
a) while it is true that the previous attempts have been dubious and a majority of Filipinos have viewed this as an attempt to remain in power by the present administration, the argument does not legitimately address the concern on whether a shift to federalism is a viable option, as such, the replies to the following items are related.
b) the economic growth objective of the resolution is not the ‘end-all-and-be-all’ of the resolution. It also aims to distribute power from the capital to the prospective states, fueling greater participation from the populace to govern themselves.
I have seen a lot of posts from different discussion boards that most of those from the Visayas think of Manila as ‘imperial manila’, meaning that they feel stifled by a government that seems too far away.
I do however have concerns on where we will get the budget to implement this shift. That may be for another discussion point.
c) This is related to the item above, and I would prefer to argue that economics can be supported by the political system, but the political system itself will not be the determinant of whether economic success can be gained. As pointed out, I agree that correct economic planning and policies are the main factors that will drive economic growth and prosperity.
d) This is true if we refer to East Timor and Aceh of Indonesia, where secessionists have either gained or are in the process of gaining independence. But Indonesia is a unitary state, what prevented this from happening?
In the case of the Philippines, we are capable of devolving from a unitary state to a federal state since there is no extreme sense of independence from its would-be member states. This is in exception to the Bangsamoro people who have felt left out of the government’s care in the past.
But one can also argue that this will eventually erupt into ‘nationalism’. This is where I concur with other opinion that there can be no clause in the constitution providing for secession of a member state, precisely because we have a unique opportunity to claim that we came from a unitary state, where everyone is a citizen of the Federation first, then a citizen of their State second. It hasn’t been done yet, but who’s to say that it can’t be done?
(to be continued; have to change venues)
May 7, 2008 at 4:54 am
federalpinoy
… to continue,
e) Even if there are no other state or nation has done it before, this does not mean it can not be a success. The Philippines have a lot of firsts – first republic in Asia, People Power. All these point to a vibrant populace ready, willing, and able to be pioneers in the political arena.
As I indicated in d), take for example the USA. They are first, Americans, and then from the State of… there are little centrifugal forces that would tear our country apart, partly because 300 years of colonization have largely homogenized us as a people. But this does not deny the ‘regionality’ permeating in our culture, which needs a decent and valid form of expression in – FEDERALISM.
Thanks, batang buotan, for the comments. Hope to hear from you again!
May 7, 2008 at 2:40 pm
MrGam
I am glad I found this site. I have volunteered to host a site for the Cebu Federal, Inc. that is still in the process of being registered with the SEC. We started off a listeners to a radio program over DYRF and decided that we must do something after talking.
We have just posted our primer and a resolution in support to the move to change the Constitution. With these, we are also starting a signature campaign and hope that people would become more aware of the reasons and issues about federalism.
Having some common interests, may we perhaps creat a link with this site?
Daghang salamat!
May 7, 2008 at 4:00 pm
federalpinoy
@MrGam
Thank you for the visit and comment! It is well appreciated.
Yes, please do link up our sites. I’ll also post a link to your site, as it is my purpose to have as much links to resources and to current movements so that everybody visiting will be well-informed.
I’m hoping for a groundswell of support for the shift to a Federal system from the average Pinoy.
I’ll regularly check on news from your site to post here, if that’s ok.
Daghang Salamat din!
May 8, 2008 at 12:20 pm
batang buotan
I am a regular listener to Alex Bolongaita’s radio program Lantugi. I learn many things about Federalism from the program and interaction of listeners. I think, its worthy to plug this site in Lantugi. There are many Cebuanos who are following the development of proposed shift to Federal system.
May 8, 2008 at 3:30 pm
federalpinoy
@ batang buotan,
Thanks! That would truly help my goal of creating awareness for this for many people.
Do they have a website I can also link from my blog?
Cheers!
May 9, 2008 at 10:50 pm
janus
I’m glad to have a blogger whom is open to change the system of government! Will do visit you here sometime.. I still need to catch things up… Been away for a week!!! Thanks for taking time visiting my blog!!!
May 22, 2008 at 8:23 pm
Amber
“) archipelagic countries—Japan, Indonesia, the Philippines—are unitary states also for pragmatic reasons: being made up of islands, they are vulnerable to centrifugal forces that would encourage secession and disunity.”
Japan is a different story. The country is one of the most homogenous in the world. As for the Philippines, it’s one of the most diverse.
Indonesia is unitary and they have ethnic problems. Aceh is similar to Mindanao. Acehnese hold grudge against the Javanese just as the non-Tagalogs hold gridge against the Tagalog.
I think federalism will encourage UNITY than SECESSION because unlike in our present system that is so Manila-south Tagalog centric, in a federal setm up, we will be equal people. ATM, non-Tagalogs are treated as second-class citizens. They even have the guts to call Ilocano, Bisaya as ‘dialects’ rather than languages.
“a) it is a Trojan horse to re-introduce a twice-defeated (in 2006-07) maneuver to shift to a parliamentary system, to enable President Arroyo to remain in power beyond 2010, as prime minister, similar to the maneuver of Vladimir Putin in Russia;”
Pimentel is endorsing PRESIDENTIAL-Federal setup.
“c) most of the successful countries in our part of the world—Japan, China, South Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand—all achieved economic success as unitary states; only one—Malaysia—as a federal union; so there is nothing wrong with being a unitary state as long as the correct economic strategies and policies are pursued; on the other hand, a federal union with wrong economic strategies and policies would stagnate, e.g. Myanmar.”
China as we have seen recently, are having ethnic issues, particularly about TIBET. South Korea is homogenous that’s why a unitary one will not cause ethnic war. Thailand is discriminating on their ethnic Lao, Tai-zing them as the Tagalistas are tagalizing the non-Tagalog MAJORITY.
I believe that areas outside in Metro Manila will advance with a Federal set up because the power will be to the people.
Also, the rebellion problem in Mindanao started only during Marcos’ time when the Jabidah massacre happened. it’s not because they see themselves as not part of the Philippines, historically.
May 22, 2008 at 8:25 pm
Amber
BTW, Thailand share the same problem with their muslim population. They have muslim secessionist in their south
May 23, 2008 at 4:05 pm
federalpinoy
Hello, Amber,
Thank you very much for articulating your views on the federalism issue!
I agree with all the points you have raised.
I am from Manila, but I do believe that development has been far too concentrated here in this region and am truly saddened that a lot of potential from the different parts of the Philippines are not being utilized, simply because all eyes are where the growth is – Manila and its neighboring areas. I have encountered people from all over the Philippines during my college years and have learned from them what is happening in their provinces.
The Philippines is not just Manila. I believe that economic, cultural, and intellectual growth must be spread throughout the archipelago. This entails enrichment in local history and having pride in the accomplishments of people who share a common language and culture.
I do believe that it will also lead to unity, instead of factionalism, in that every new state will have pride in its own being, yet contribute fully to the aims of the national federal government.
We can not also deny the fact that Spain has forced this unity on us as they colonized us for 300+ years. The Americans just continued with the system. In the process of federalizing the Philippines, we must celebrate the diversity of the cultures of the Islands prior to any western influences in order to understand who we are.
The process of de-colonization will be tedious and will encounter most resistance from those who choose the status quo to maintain their advantage from the existing system.
It’s a long road ahead, but I hope a lot more people will share our views and initiate change.
Cheers!
May 27, 2008 at 5:32 pm
Joe Narvaez
Hi there! I am pro-federal. I believe there is so much to gain if we decentralize. However, given the current political air in the country, is the timing appropriate? Would Filipinos allow the change? In my opinion, the shift should be done post-PGMA, when we have a president that is duly elected and respected by all. Whose legitimacy and intentions no one will doubt. I wonder if that will happen though in 2010.
This is a very good forum. I will add your link to my blogroll.
http://milkcashcow.wordpress.com
June 5, 2008 at 8:20 pm
federalpinoy
Hello, Joe,
Thanks for visiting my blog! Apologize also for the delay in approving the comment.
I agree with what you suggest – that the shift should occur after the GMA presidency. But I do hope that the change would be sooner rather than later.
One thing that can be done is to have a plebiscite and ask the Filipino voter whether or not he/she will opt to change the government a form a federal republic. The next presidency will be a transition government and will devote its efforts in realizing this change.
From all the past governments I’ve experienced (Aquino, Ramos, Estrada, and Arroyo), there was a lack of focus on what exactly they do try to accomplish within their term (except maybe FVR, with his Philippines 2000 that failed to fully take off). The next presidency will have an ultimate goal of effecting meaningful change and we should have a very capable president who will be focused enough not to be distracted by the political drama to see it through!
Thanks for the compliment! I’ll also be a regular visitor to your blog and put it in my blogroll.
June 7, 2008 at 12:09 pm
Alex Publius
I am intrigued by the current experiment in government that is happening in the Philippines. Most of what is being addressed by bloggers are the economic and separatist issues that plague the republic. I would like to learn about the sentiments of the citizens outside ‘Imperial Manila’ when it comes to the following:
A. Expansion of government. In creating a federal system there will be a new level of bureaucracy. What type and how high of taxes are citizens willing to pay?
B. States rights. (1) From Pimentel’s proposed constitution, seems like education is being handled at the federal level. I would have thought that citizens in local communities (district, county or provincial) would prefer control of the structure and what is being taught to their children (2) Would states (like Central Visayas) set-up a local militia (or national guard) to protect its citizens from unjust federal laws or federal police or military interference? (3) From what I have read, some of the elements of the proposed constitution seems to be lopsided for states that have more representation due to population densities. In voting for a federal law, wouldn’t smaller states have less of a voice in the matter and thus creating another form of tyranny by the larger states? What guarantees are there to prevent some form of aristocracy in this new government set-up?
C. Formation of States. Seems like the proposal for provinces to come together and form states is still coming from ‘Imperial Manila’. Has there been talk at the local and provincial level of people coming together to form their own political unit and try to manage it without dictates from ‘Imperial Manila’?
I hope that the political experiment being undertaken by a proud and great nation becomes fruitful. Good luck! Thanks for blogging back!
August 13, 2008 at 1:43 am
JC John SESE Cuneta
1. The States (Ang mga Bayan) – How many is too many?
- Good Point. IMO, 7 States + 1 Administrative Region is enough. The SJR#10 which will form 11 States is a somewhat questionable, what will be the economy resources of the other states? How many hectares do they have for development?
- 7 States + 1 AR.
2. Federal Legislature – Parliamentary or Presidential/Bicameral?
- Definitely Parliamentary, the UK version btw, not France’s.
4. Federal Territory – Sabah, Kalayaan Islands, et al.
- We can stake claim for Kalayaan and Scarborough Shoals, but not Sabah. It is too late for us to take back Sabah, especially with the on-going ASEAN Integration by 2015.
5. Economics and Federalism – Will the Shift have an Effect?
- Bottomline here is the Filipino mindset. If the change of the system will not change our mindset, then regardless of what system we use, then no system will change the mindset of the Filipinos. Federalism is already better in itself than what we have now, especially with all the problems we are facing – let’s be honest, “Imperial Manila”. Time to decentralized. But that will fail if we don’t want to change ourselves.
August 13, 2008 at 1:56 am
JC John SESE Cuneta
@Joe’s “Hi there! I am pro-federal. I believe there is so much to gain if we decentralize. However, given the current political air in the country, is the timing appropriate? Would Filipinos allow the change? In my opinion, the shift should be done post-PGMA, when we have a president that is duly elected and respected by all. Whose legitimacy and intentions no one will doubt. I wonder if that will happen though in 2010.”
- I ask thee, when will that time come? Never. Haven’t we all realized it yet that there will never be a Head of State that will be loved and respected by all? No matter who sits in the Government, people will have doubts about his/her legitimacy and intentions. It is a fact of life and politics. It is Human Nature to doubt and speak ill of his fellow Human Being.
Thus, by putting our decisions on that factor, we signed our death sentence.
I hear people say, “are we going to be better then if we go on with this?” I say, it is better to step forward now than to sit idle in the corner and do nothing for the next couple of decades.
I can also say this, “are you sure we will be better if we do it in the next decade or so?” See, no difference. Whether we do it now or tomorrow, or the next century, if the Filipino People will stick to our current mindset, then we are forever doomed.
One sign of that wrong mindset is this: “I am anti-PGMA, so I will not support her projects, heck, if I can I will thwart her every move.”
As far as the current findings are concerned, she is the duely Elected President and thus we must support her.
Don’t take me wrong, I never agreed on her takeover of Joseph Ejercito-Estrada. I’m not pro-PGMA but I am not anti-PGMA. The Filipino People voted for her, I did not, so be it – the People Made the Choice.
So next time, vote wisely.
The time for Change is now. Not just the Government, but our mindset as well.
—–
Disclosure:
I believe in Socialism for this Country on the side of Social Democracy. I am pro-Federalism and pro-Parliamentary (UK version).
August 14, 2008 at 9:42 pm
Joe Narvaez
Hi JC John Sese Cuneta! I was just anticipating the public outcry that will follow once the move to federalism is initiated while GMA is still president. You see this happening now right? Most people are skeptical about the motives of Malacanang. They feel this is just a ploy to extend her term in office. Thus, we are stuck, we have a big dilemma; and people do not know who to believe. That is very sad.
I completely disagree with you when you say “there will never be a head of state that will be loved and respected by all”. It was of course only a statistical exaggeration. I know there will never be a president that will be loved 100% by Filipinos. You can’t please everyone.
You say GMA is duly elected right. Well that is your opinion. You may be surprised that many think she is not; that she cheated and is a corrupt leader.
Oh and sometimes, when you approach big political issues like this one in haste, it could result to a death sentence too. Timing is critical. I still say wait until after GMA’s term before we push for federalism… but it seems the ball is rolling now so what the heck. I just pray that whatever happens to our form of government, all will become well for the Filipino hoi polloi who do not even know what the word federalism means. Good luck to all of us!
PS. I do believe i voted wisely in the last elections. Did you?
February 25, 2009 at 1:22 am
pro FEDERALiSM
Kasunod…
About sa States and Territories – okey na rin yung 11 States but sana naman mas maganda yung States Name, then each States must have their own State Nickname, State Song, State Bird, State Flower, State Flag etc. Each States also should have their well resources para hindi magkaroon ng alitan.
May 17, 2009 at 12:09 am
GobiernoCentralistaContraGobiernoFederalista
I still prefer central governance (unitary state) rather than Federalism… we won’t be able to handle a Federal Philippines…
May 20, 2009 at 4:12 pm
Unknown
The solution to the language problem of the Philippines, is a neotraditional reform of our native Austronesian/Malayo-Polynesian languages; and by that I simply mean by borrowing and improving the native vocabulary by using our native languages. The so called national language, (Filipino) is actually Tagalog code-switching (linguistics term) with Spanish and English. Filipino retains the basic structure and grammar of Tagalog, but due to almost 400 years of Spanish and American colonialism, there were the use of loan words. Here’s an example:
English: Someday I would like to visit the Philippines, but first of all I would also like to know some information about the country.
Filipino (Tagalog code-switching): Someday gusto kong bumisita sa Pilipinas, pero first of all gusto ko rin malaman ang mga kaunting information tungkol sa bayan.
Tagalog (pure): Balang araw nais kong dumalaw sa Pilpinas, ngunit unang-una sa lahat nais ko rin malaman ang mga kaunting hiwatig tungkol sa bayan.
So for the Tagalogs out there that are saying Bisayans, Ilokanos, or etc. aren’t Filipino because they can’t speak or understand Tagalog, then they should reform their minds. Many Tagalog speakers today can’t even speak in it’s purity, making the language sound “broken,” much like “Kalabao Ingglis,” commonly heard amongst local Pinoys who try to speak English. I’m sure most of you here know about the 1987 constitution which states that the national language should be developed and enriched through borrowings from our other existing native languages (in which I agree). I suggest that all native languages should be reformed by using this method, and that the newly reformed Tagalog will be used as a medium for communication throughout the country, whilst protecting, preserving, and improving our other native languages as well. And besides Tagalog/Filipino is pretty much acknowledged throughout the country already, and is one the many Filipino languages that is well known amongst foreigners overseas. Now I know this proposition will be very difficult to accept for locals Filipinos, as well as Filipinos overseas because ALL native Filipino languages have been subjected to borrowing foreign loan words (especially from Spanish), but this proposition can be a possible precursor for mutual agreement amongst the multiethnic peoples we have in the Philippines.
Tagalog, as well as the other native languages, is not complete without the use of loan words (primarily from Spanish and English). The only time we SHOULD borrow from a foreign language is when there is no word to substitute a specific term in the native languages (e.g, computer, complex scientific terms, etc.); just like how the Japanese language (as well as other Asian languages) has a few English loan words.
Then you got a few Filipinos who have an interest for the Spanish language, saying that it should be revived and implemented in the Philippines. In Zamboanga, instead of using the Chabacano (which is about 70% Spanish), why not just revive the Spanish language in all its glory. Denying the Spanish colonial past is like denying our native heritage and vice versa. The Spanish language can actually be beneficial when it comes to the Philippines for economic and diplomatic reasons. For example if other Asian nationalities would like to learn the Spanish language, instead of traveling to the west for lessons or hiring foreign nationals form the west, our fellow countrymen from Zamboanga will carry out those duties of teaching Spanish to other Asians, as well as Filipinos. This will be highly beneficial for the country, not only for the economy, but it can also be used to decipher Philippine history written in Spanish. Personally, I have an intense animosity towards pidgin languages/code-switching of any kind, and I can see this proposal as being a solution for the language problem in the Philippines. As for English, well that should be optional and not mandatory, much like the American education system where foreign languages are optional courses. A perfect example is Japan, where the majority of it’s Japanese citizens have a difficult time understanding and/or speaking the English language, but that didn’t slow them down to becoming an economic power. The claim that Philippines is the third largest English speaking nation in the world is a fallacy. In reality, many Filipinos across the nation lack proper understanding when it comes to English. It’s mostly the younger generation, especially the Filipino-Americans, who get the credit for English proficiency.
Many Filipinos are close/narrow-minded, and have a hard time accepting new propositions or ideas, but with open-mindedness the Philippines can truly have a chance towards progress and prosperity. The idea here is to acknowledge our problems and create new solutions for the future of this nation, the only question is, “do the Filipino people have the will to accept change?”
About federalism, that too can be a possible solution to the issues we have with our current government. Also the idea of segregation/separation of church and state is a must for the Philippines. Religion is very important when it comes to the Philippine society (Christianity or Islam likewise), but when it comes to economic or political issues, religion has absolutely no use whatsoever. And about the 2010 elections, I highly doubt that the running candidates will solve all of the issues of the country. More opinions and ideas are needed, especially from the western educated Filipino. Politics in Asia is very different, compared to the west, and basically our government is modeled after the American form of government, but with more corruption and ignorance.
By the way, for those who don’t know what United States of America is in Tagalog, here’s the EQUIVALENT term: Magkasanibang Kabanwaan nang/ng Amerika. And here is a link that I suggest Filipinos should read:
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/archive/index.php/t-245040.html <<< Read the first post by a Korean student in the Philippines.
May 20, 2009 at 5:03 pm
djsakl
fuck
May 20, 2009 at 5:19 pm
Filipino Atheist Maharlika
Unknown, I can see you have that nationalist fervor burning throughout your veins, haha (which is good). Actually I agree with most of what you posted their. A sense of nationalism and patriotism is essential for a country to succeed (just take a look at the PRC). Many Filipinos have too much love for god, but not for their fellow countrymen, their country, and their dignity as a nation. Whether you may be a native Filipino or Filipino-American, a Christian or Muslim, it ain’t really the case when it pertains to national unity. That’s why nationalism and patriotism should be encouraged and promoted throughout the Filipino community to spark a change, and to fulfill the idea of unity amongst all Filipinos. The protection and the native languages and heritage is one way of unifying the Filipino people, and also the reformation of the current government.
September 10, 2009 at 10:53 pm
sandrar
Hi! I was surfing and found your blog post… nice! I love your blog.
Cheers! Sandra. R.