If the form of Govt for the Philippines was enacted as a Federal / Parliamentary form of Gov't, how would you like the country states comprises of?
e.g. Calabarzon Region (comprises of Cavite, Laguna, Batagas, Rizal and Quezon).

Can the Federal form of Government beneficial for the Philippines?

Are Filipinos ready for Charter Change?

http://www.philstar.com/philstar/News200504159801.htm

Not too many Filipinos are aware of the real issues behind the clamor to amend the Constitution, let alone have a full grasp of the specific and accompanying revisions in the 1987 Constitution being firmed up and debated on by lawmakers.

A recent survey conducted by an independent think-thank group, IBON Foundation, showed that a significant number of Filipinos are still either undecided or unaware of the issue, with only 33.6 percent of respondents saying they are aware of the issue. This was slightly up though from the 32.9 percent recorded in a similar survey conducted previously.

Majority of Filipinos are also not too eager to amend the Constitution by next year to allow a shift to a parliamentary form of government, according to the survey conducted last June 30 to July 9.

Some 44.5 percent of Filipinos are actually not in favor of Charter Change. This was higher than the 38.1 percent who disagreed with the propoal in the previous IBON survey conducted last April. The number of those who support Constitutional amendments also fell from 29 percent in April to 21.83 percent in the recent survey.

IBON partly attributed Filipinos’ continued opposition to Charter change to the perceived motives of politicians to consolidate greater political power.

Most of the respondents in the IBON survey also wanted President Arroyo to focus her attention on improving living conditions as well as curb corruption during her first 100 days in office.

The political party system particularly comes under fire for being "immature," said IBON research director Antonio Tujan Jr. "Thus, under a parliamentary system, the coalitional party can degenerate into an authoritarian majority."

The common argument among lawmakers and analysts is whether the Philippines is mature enough politically to depart from the present presidential form of government. The question now is: Should political maturity come first before Charter change?

According to a political analyst and leading proponent of Charter Change, political maturity follows the makeover of a system. "(Political) maturity comes with the change of institution," Dr. Jose Abueva, chairman of the advisory committee of the Citizens’ Movement for a Federal Philippines (CMFP), said.

In an interview with philstar.com, Abueva pointed out that the basic problems of governance and public administration are rooted in the nation’s "obsolete" political system that obstructs lasting solutions to poverty and underdevelopment.

Philippine politics, which is beset with divisiveness and an undisciplined party system on top of the persistent problems of poverty, population explosion and widening budget deficit, is ripe for change, said Abueva, who was secretary in the Constitutional Convention (Con-con) in 1971.

"It is a "challenging information effort" to educate Filipinos of what good a shift in government style will do for the country," he said.

Finding a cure

A parliamentary form can "cure" the country’s "undisciplined" political party system, Abueva said. But it will not be enough to bring about progress in this poverty-stricken country. It is by transforming the highly centralized unitary-presidential to a parliamentary-federal system that bold reforms will be pursued and attained, he said.

By changing the system, government will be closer to the people and political parties will be transformed progressively, he added. "Political parties will become strong, stable, disciplined and program-oriented organizations to mobilize the participation of citizens in the affairs of government," the CMFP proposal on Charter change said.

Even as majority of lawmakers in both chambers of Congress are presently pro-administration, this does not automatically translate into full backing of Mrs. Arroyo’s proposed legislations, it noted.

Political bickering and constant party switching have been known to hinder work at Congress in the past. Under the current system, the executive must also engage in lengthy debates and lobbying with the two chambers of Congress before a bill can be passed.

"Under the present political party system, GMA has the huge majority in the House and a comfortable majority in the Senate but it does not mean she has the support of the legislature," Abueva said.

He said the country’s political system will be transformed because political parties will be competing with each other in attracting support from the people.

"Parliament will consist of 100 more seats (in the House) than those regularly elected by districts. But it should not exceed 300 because it is expensive. The 100 will be reserved for distribution to the political parties according to the total votes they get nationwide. What does this mean? It is a big incentive for the parties. Get more votes so that they can get a bigger share in the 100 seats," Abueva explained.

It is through the reformed political parties that the national government and local governments will be more accountable to the people, Abueva said.

And the President could be the "transforming" rather than a "reforming" president that she can be if her push to revise the 1987 Constitution to accommodate her proposed change in government takes place, Abueva pointed out.

"At least now, there is general awareness on the part of our leaders (in Congress). They realize that our (present presidential) system is flawed," the former president of the state-owned University of the Philippines said, citing the prolonged applause Mrs. Arroyo received from legislators during her state-of-the-nation address last month when she called for revising the country’s Charter next year to allow for a parliamentary form of government.

Past leaders and the political elite," Abueva said, have continued the practice of our colonial masters and have allowed Manila to remain centralized. The unitary-presidential structure in the Philippines dates back to American colonial rule.

"They did not have the imagination to break away from the past. Being creative means changing the form of government," Abueva stressed.

The daunting task for the Arroyo administration is ensuring that the public is well informed of what Charter change is all about in the first place to pave the way for support from Filipinos, majority of whom are living in poverty.

"That is a tall order," Abueva admitted when asked how the President would be able to convince the people that changing the form of government would prove to be beneficial to them.

He, however, said Mrs. Arroyo can "persuade" the people if she continues to provide basic services to them.

Abueva expressed confidence that the President can make it happen, citing a well enough performance in office for three and a half years before she got a new six-year term in the May 10 elections.

"GMA, in her first three and a half years in office was able to demonstrate that the government can deliver services which are mandated by law and to which money has been appropriated. Kulang (It was not enough) but there is delivery and she can persuade the people where the money will go because she’s trying to demonstrate all the time that she is trying to help like in housing, social welfare etc.," he explained.

And having a vice president popular to the masses by her side could also do the trick.

"It should not be difficult for her to convince the people with (Vice President) Noli de Castro helping, that is why she is using Noli as a way to make her communicate to the public," Abueva said.

The CFMP, which advocates Charter change through constitutional convention, has been developing its draft on constitutional reforms for over three years. It conducts research and consults with local political leaders and scholars from different universities across the country.

A constitutional convention means that people would have to elect who will amend the Constitution. Another way of amending the Charter though is to transform Congress into a constitutional assembly.

The CMFP proposal

According to Abueva, there are two main compelling reasons why the Philippines needs to adopt a different form of government: a defective presidential system and a dysfunctional political party system.

The parliamentary-federal system being proposed by the CMFP will see the national government only responsible for national security and defense, foreign relations, currency and monetary policy, citizenship, human rights, customs and immigration issues, among other functions of a federal government. All other socio-economic functions and government services that impact directly on the lives of the people will be the responsibility of ten regional governments or States and their local governments.

This is true in countries like Malaysia, India, Canada, Australia and Federal Republic of Germany, the CMFP noted.

The 10 proposed states under a federal form are Northern Luzon-Cordillera, Central Luzon, Metro Manila, Southern Tagalog, Bicol, West Visayas-Palawan, East Visayas, North and West Mindanao, Bangsamoro and Central and South Mindanao.

Under the parliament, the executive and legislative powers are combined. The leader of the majority party or coalition is elected as Prime Minister by parliament as well as members of the Cabinet.

According to the CMFP proposal, parliament shall be bicameral. Members of the "House of the People" will be elected in the parliamentary districts and by "proportional representation" of the political parties.

The CMFP argued that while some supporters of parliamentary government want to have a unicameral legislature, another house in the parliament is needed "to represent and promote the rights and interest of the States."

This will ensure the states’ or regional governments’ autonomy, powers, functions and resources vis-à-vis the federal government, it said.

"The members of the House and States - much smaller in number - shall be chosen by the State Assemblies," it said. "Every state or regional government shall have an elective State Assembly that also combines executive and legislative power."

The regional government elects the leader of the majority party or coalition as the State Governor who then forms a State Cabinet "made up mostly of members of the State Assembly.

A voter, Abueva said, will vote for a member of the parliament in his district and the national party of choice. He will also vote for a member of the State Assembly and the party of his choice.

The CMFP is also proposing a special article in the Constitution that will acquaint political parties on their roles as members of the system. Another proposal is the inclusion of a "bill of duties and obligations" of Filipino citizens. "This will be accompanied by a reform in the electoral system," Abueva said.

GMA as Prime Minister?

If the Charter is revised before the 2007 polls, Mrs. Arroyo can be prime minister, owing to the six-year mandate she was given in the May 10 elections, Abueva said.

"Certainly she cannot be deprived of her right because she was elected to a six-year term. So she can continue to be head of government and head of state but only until 2010," he said, referring to the expiration of Mrs. Arroyo’s term, adding that

Parliament has a term of only five years.

If the shift to parliamentary-federal form is established by 2007, a new prime minister will be elected in 2010 after Mrs. Arroyo’s term ends, Abueva explained. "But it can also be provided that the President’s term be extended for two years but not as prime minister, just a member of parliament," he said, noting this can be provided for in the transitory provision in the constitutional revision.

"Wholesale changes" will be introduced in the Charter, Abueva said as two articles will be affected: the presidency and Congress. "When two whole articles are changed, it is already a revision. An amendment is like just changing the term of a president," he said.

I like the idea of a federal government, with Malacanang/Manila taking care of foreign policy, money, defence, exports while the states take care of national roads, hospitals, police, etc. Something similar here to Australia. Power is better spread out, even if it does result in arguing, imo it's better than one president who basically can say whatever he/she wants and it will happen.

i also like the idea of having a federal form of government. each state will be responsible for its own affairs, without always relying on the federal government. i guess the form of government that we have right now is just too overwhelmed with too much problems, services, demands from the people and other things that need attention. if there are states that will somehow "delegate" these basic services closer to the people, then at least the national government will be relieved of too much burden. also, if these states progress as sub-economies then progress in different parts of the country is most likely to happen.

Truly, a federal system of government is what is suitable for our country being a archipelago, with such great ethnic diversity and ol'... So far our centralized system has only congested MM and limited substantial countryside development.

I'm not too keen with a parliamentary though ... It's only a shift of power and basically whatever form of government we have, if our officials are corrupt then its of no use anyways...

I'm not too keen with a parliamentary though ... It's only a shift of power and basically whatever form of government we have, if our officials are corrupt then its of no use anyways...

But isn't it that Parliamentary is better than Bicameral congress? For example, Phil Govt is really in a hurry to pass the Expanded VAT Law as Philippines is gearing up for a fiscal meltdown, this resulted to 2 different versions of the Evat law, one from Lower house and one from the senate. Impasse is the result w/c is very counter productive and not to mention a waste in Philippine resources.

I agree. Parliamentary reduces the time for a law to be enacted thus less corruption, and more productive and efficient government. And it's easier to spot corrupt officials in a parliament.

I just hate to see how the useless congressmen and senators use up our countries financial resources with their stupid pork barrels which hell we know much of it just end up in their pockets... and u see them do pointless bickerings, to make the media swarm over them and gain publicity in a very wrong way...

Federal form of govt would be nice. I cant wait to see every state in the philippines to have their own downtown with skyline just like in US :D and also every state will have their own economy and can make laws suitable for the needs and culture of its ethnic people. I think this will be the solution in our divided country.

Yeah...I agree too. I am looking forward for a charter change, i hope GMA's administration can implement this. Laws & projects would not have to pass through as many approvals, therefore the government would become more productive. It will also reduce the chance of corruption as said before.

but let me ask this to everyone agreeing to a charter change: What are the cons of this charter change? And how much will it affect society and the economy?

Yeah...I agree too. I am looking forward for a charter change, i hope GMA's administration can implement this. Laws & projects would not have to pass through as many approvals, therefore the government would become more productive. It will also reduce the chance of corruption as said before.

but let me ask this to everyone agreeing to a charter change: What are the cons of this charter change? And how much will it affect society and the economy?

Parliamentary vs Bi-cameral-Presidencial
Pros
- No Actor/Bogus president
- Fast Law enactment
- No need to wait for 6 years to replace a PM. A parliamentarian invoking a 'No vote of confidence' supported by majority votes is sufficient [hence, no need to go to street and stage people power revolt]

Cons
- Traditional Politicians rules [hmm better than a bogus president]

Federal Govt vs Republic
Pros
- Country's wealth evenly distributed
- Every region has their own mini-presidents (e.g. Governor) and enforcemnt of local laws applicable for the region
- Central Govt to handle Finances, Foreign Affairs and external defence.

Cons
- Less wealthy regions will have greater tendencies to breakaway from the federation of states w/c means war [most likely bangsamoro region]. Example is Indonesia [Aceh and Timor]

Note that its better to go with Federal State using Parliamentary form of Government [like Malaysia] instead of Federal Form using Presidential w/ 2 Congress [House and senate] like USA (my own opinion).

Yeah...I agree too. I am looking forward for a charter change, i hope GMA's administration can implement this. Laws & projects would not have to pass through as many approvals, therefore the government would become more productive. It will also reduce the chance of corruption as said before.

but let me ask this to everyone agreeing to a charter change: What are the cons of this charter change? And how much will it affect society and the economy?

well let see.

In democratic republic people elect the president and if they dont feel comfortable they will have people power.....and it is all about showbiz, administration and opposition parties....

In Parliamentary we have a president and a prime minister. The president is mainly on domestic concerns while the prime minister is focuses on economic concerns and international relations. In this case the prime minister do most of the job and the people did not elect him he was elected or voted by the parliament.

In Federal Government we will be divided into separate states each has their own autonomy and economy and laws. Each state is functioning as one country. Federal government is a more mature version of democratic republic. At least in federal form of government if the going gets rough all blames will not be thrown away to a single people which is the president. And laws will be easily implemented.

Since we are a democratic republic, a federal form of government would be appropriate for our transition because it is almost the same as democratic republic. Instead of using regions 1,2,3, CAR, ARMM and NCR..we will be using "state of" and the power is not centralized in the core region.

Pero mga peeps ang pinakamaganda ay Parliamentary System Form of Government kasi mababawasan ang mga taong nagmamagaling. Kaya hindi tayo umunlad mga pinoys ay dahil sa ating demokrasya tayo ay masyadong na overwhelemed. Lahat ng maupo sa malakanyang nais patalsikin. Lahat ng natalong presidente nadaya daw except roco and de venecia. Sa parliamentary mababawasan ang too much politics na umiiral sa ating bansa at tanging mga matatalinong tao lamang ang pwedeng mamuno at tumakbo sa parliamentary eleksyon. Mababawasan ang mga ilusyonadong artista na nais maupo sa pwesto. Yon lang po....Dapat magkaroon ng separation of church, states and showbiz..PEACE

Less wealthy regions will have greater tendencies to breakaway from the federation of states w/c means war [most likely bangsamoro region]. Example is Indonesia [Aceh and Timor]

But can't you subsidise, from the wealthy areas to the poorer regions? The proposed Federal government can organise this, it can result in other "states" bickering in Parliament but beats bickering with M16's.

If the form of Govt for the Philippines was enacted as a Federal / Parliamentary form of Gov't, how would you like the country states comprises of?
I think a good division would be by main language. Tagalog State. Ilocano State. Bikol State. Cebuano State. Kapampangan State. Hiligaynon State.

any form of govt will not be successful if their institutions are weak, so we have to focus first on strengthening our institutions like justice system, police system, tax collection system, etc. shifting is never thate easy to analyze :)

Well Yeah a Parliamentary System will result in a faster passing of laws but wont that mean more loopholes?

I agree with our System having a lot of flaws but I think we can do good with a Republican System just as the USA has all we need to do is amend outdated and flawed parts of the constitution.

I really dont think choosing between the two is necessarily important, its the people behind gov't who is responsible if our country develops or not ...

well for me it easier to change the form of our government than to wait to change the mindset of our people to become a disciplined, responsible citizen and intelligent voter to elect a good leader and manager of our country.

We have a very good chance to become better if we change the form of our government and that chance cannot be in waiting for another decade not unless we want to be a laggard for another decade. If the form of government change the people will change also and so is the politician. In parliamentary there is no power grabing and the best minister will be chosen among the best while in democratic republic all they need is a popular person like ERAP or FPJ with charm with the poor masses to take the highest position in the land. If we will remain a democratic republic the worst case scenario is Jinggoy Estrada will run for president on 2010, Richard Gomez and Eddie Garcia will run for senate and so on.....

Para sa mga mamamayan na mataas ang pinag-aralan katulad natin dito sa forum nakakasama ng loob at nakakatakot kung ganitong mga klase ng tao ang mamumuno sa atin. Nag acting workshop na lang sana ako at hindi kumuha ng kursong enhinyero...

any form of govt will not be successful if their institutions are weak, so we have to focus first on strengthening our institutions like justice system, police system, tax collection system, etc. shifting is never thate easy to analyze :)

with 85million people, big budget deficit, almost 60billion dollar debts, a gnp of only USD1200 per capita income....there is no way we can strengthen our institutions. The power and the wealth is only in Manila, thats why the President and Congress wanted a charter change because they find it very hard to govern and to distribute even the basic services the government can offer to its people. Example of this many filipinos wanted to work abroad needs to go to manila to process their passport, NBI etc...because all this can only be done in Manila. Another thing is all income from Taxes, Customs etc goes to the Philippine government and the Philippine government allocate this income for its projects but If we become a federal or parliament wherein every state will have their own income and will only give a percent of it to the Philippine government they will not need to beg to the Philippine government to allocate funds for their respective states.

I think becoming a federal republic will be a large step towards the development of our country. Tama ka ncbmandy. It has a lot of advantages. Bu I think it will take a very long process to adjust and get used to it. And we never know whether it will be a success or not. Each state would have their own mini-parliament then and have their own laws. It will be good because they will be responisible for themselves, their own economies and capabilities etc. and there will be contrasts! I think if this would happen, we should name all 13 regions by their actual names. NCR, Central Luzon, Ilocos Reqion, Central Visayas, Western Visayas etc. Metro Manila would be like a city-state then! :) and we will see new smaller skylines sprouting throughout the country and we will be either called "Fedreal Republic of the Philippines or Philippine Federation(?), I guess. Look at France as a republic, Paris has always maintained as the heart and soul of the country but they still managed to be stable. I think we are less fortunate in that, I'm not saying that it is not possible for us but I also think that a federal government would be better.

Truly, a federal system of government is what is suitable for our country being a archipelago, with such great ethnic diversity and ol'... So far our centralized system has only congested MM and limited substantial countryside development.

I'm not too keen with a parliamentary though ... It's only a shift of power and basically whatever form of government we have, if our officials are corrupt then its of no use anyways...


I agree with FEDERAL FORM OF GOVERNMENT ... one of the problems besetting the Philippines' progress is over-centralisation of government in Metro Manila. There are lots of provinces, which I believed can stand of running their own services, governance, etc.

In the same way as I like Federalism ... I, too, supports the Parliamentary form of government. As we know, parliamentary government lessen the time for a law to be enacted hence lower corruption and a more productive and effective government will be in place.

Over-all ... my vote goes to FEDERAL-PARLIAMENTARY government for the Philippines.

Am all for federal government! Revive the independent state of Negros!

Folks, if any of you want to get a unique email address, go to www.mexico.com and end enlist for a yourname@gobiernofederal.com email address.

I've been using that domain for my email and it has never failed to raise eyebrows! :)

well for me it easier to change the form of our government than to wait to change the mindset of our people to become a disciplined, responsible citizen and intelligent voter to elect a good leader and manager of our country.


i agree.

And we never know whether it will be a success or not.

we'll never know unless we try :)

I think if this would happen, we should name all 13 regions by their actual names. NCR, Central Luzon, Ilocos Reqion, Central Visayas, Western Visayas etc. Metro Manila would be like a city-state then!

based on the proposal, there will be 10 states with the city of Manila as the district capital (parang Washington Dist. of Columbia)

Am all for federal government! Revive the independent state of Negros!

Folks, if any of you want to get a unique email address, go to www.mexico.com and end enlist for a yourname@gobiernofederal.com email address.

I've been using that domain for my email and it has never failed to raise eyebrows! :)

I don't know about a completely independent Negros. I don't think any single part of this fragile country and survive by itself.

Btw, what's the public opinion in the streets of Manila? Has the issue died down since it was brought up again couple of months ago?

I don't know about a completely independent Negros. I don't think any single part of this fragile country and survive by itself.

Btw, what's the public opinion in the streets of Manila? Has the issue died down since it was brought up again couple of months ago?

Expect strong opposition since opposition politicians plus the left wing will take advantage of people who are mostly don't know the difference of federal against republic nor the knowlegde of the constitution.


http://pulseasia.newsmaker.ph/main.asp?mode=&page=article&articleID=39171183470&section=Press%20Releases

8 out of 10 Filipinos have little or no knowledge of the Constitution

By Emmanuel A. San Andres

Pulse Asia's latest Ulat ng Bayan survey shows that almost eight out of 10 Filipinos (77%) say they have little or no knowledge of the Constitution. And of the 23% of Filipinos who have at least a sufficient knowledge of the charter, only four out of 10 (39%) support moves for amendments at this time. In other words, only 9% of Filipino adults give informed support to amend the Constitution at this time.

The survey, conducted last March 29 to April 12, asks respondents to describe the amount of knowledge they have of the Constitution. Respondents who say they have at least a sufficient amount of knowledge are then asked if they think the charter should be amended now or at any time. Those who support amendments at some time are then asked whether they support proposing amendments through a Constituent Assembly or a Constitutional Convention.

The survey covers 1,200 adult respondents nationwide. It has a margin of error of ±3 percentage points at 95% confidence level.

Although Pulse Asia has had probes on charter change in previous surveys, this is the first time respondents were screened based on their knowledge of the Constitution. This was done to ensure that opinions on this issue are reasonably informed ones. However, owing to the changed probe format, no comparisons can be made with data from previous probes on this issue.

Lack of knowledge about Constitution


When asked to describe their knowledge of the Constitution, a majority of Filipinos (62%) say they have only little knowledge, while 15% of them say they have practically no knowledge of the charter. Four percent of Filipinos say they have a great deal of knowledge, and 19% state they have a sufficient amount of knowledge.
Among all socioeconomic classes and geographic locations, the largest percentages of respondents come from those describing themselves as having "little knowledge" about the Constitution.

Among the respondents from the ABC socioeconomic class, while 33% claim to have "not a great deal, but a sufficient amount" of knowledge about the Constitution, 50% admit having "little knowledge". Six percent claim "a great deal of knowledge" and 10% say they have "almost none or no knowledge at all" regarding the Constitution.

Even in the National Capital Region, where 29% of respondents claim to have sufficient amount of knowledge regarding the Constitution, 56% admit to having "little knowledge". Four percent say they have "a great deal of knowledge" regarding the 1987 charter, while 11% say they have "almost none or no knowledge at all".

Minority support for charter change now


Of the 23% of Filipinos who have at least a sufficient amount of knowledge of the Constitution, 39% support moves for amendments now, while another 39% oppose amendments at this time but are open to amendments some time in the future. Twenty-one percent of Filipinos oppose charter amendments now or at any other time.

However, sentiment over whether charter change should be pursued now, sometime in the future, or never, shows splits according to geographic location and socioeconomic class.

In Metro Manila and Mindanao, those who are for amending the Constitution now are outnumbered by those who are open to having the Constitution amended sometime in the future. In the balance of Luzon outside Metro Manila and in the Visayas, however, those who are for amending the Constitution now outnumber those who are open to having it amended sometime in the future.

Among socioeconomic classes, the ABC class is the only group where those who are open to having the Constitution amended in the future (44%) outnumber those who would support amending the Constitution now (26%), with 30% maintaining that the Constitution should not be amended now nor at any other time. In classes D and E, those calling for constitutional amendments now outnumber those who would prefer to wait.

Slightly more support for Constitutional Convention

Among the 18% of Filipinos who feel knowledgeable about the Constitution and who say it should be amended now or at some other time, 49% prefer electing a Constitutional Convention to propose amendments, slightly higher than the 45% support registered for a Constituent Assembly.

By geographic location, those living in the Visayas (59% vs. 32%) and Mindanao (50% vs. 40%) tend to favor a Constitutional Convention over a Constituent Assembly, while those from Metro Manila (39% vs. 53%) prefer the latter. Those from Luzon outside Metro Manila (49% vs. 49%) are equally split on the issue.

Among socioeconomic classes, the upper Class ABC tends to prefer a Constituent Assembly to a Constitutional Convention (55% vs. 37%), while the masa Class D (44% vs. 50%) and the poorest Class E (43% vs 55%) tend to prefer the latter.

On the whole, these figures suggest a dearth of knowledge about the Constitution among Filipinos. More information dissemination is needed if the citizenry is to make wise and informed choices regarding proposed changes to the charter.

Well obviously you're going to have little support for something most Filipinos don't even know. If people become educated about Federal and its pros and cons, they can make a decision for themselves. I guess I'm among the uneducated ones. What's "Constituent Assembly to a Constitutional Convention "?

Yeah.. and i think the problem that people don't know much about it is the media. They care on showing the latest Telenovela or latest scandle more than giving more coverage to news and local issues and placing facts. Instead they show "tabloid" style primetime news & public affairs show that are just suppost to tug ur heart or bring someone to justice, but anyways

I hope they not rush any of the bills and laws and take deep considerations on what laws and policies that should be kept and the ones that should be scrapped.

Btw, what's the public opinion in the streets of Manila? Has the issue died down since it was brought up again couple of months ago?

The opposition and administration parties are willing for a change of type in government but they cannot decide if it will be constitutional convention or consituent Assembly or people's initiative. We dont have a budget for this and this will be very expensive. At the moment before they going to tackle this issue they will finish first the Expanded-VAT bill.

Lack of knowledge about Constitution
many filipinos dont know about our constitution and especially the BILL OF RIGHTS because Philippine Constitution is thought only Tertiary Education(College). Not all instructor is allowed to teach Philippine Constitution because he must have an extensive knowledge of the ultimate law of the land before he can teach Phil. Cons. They cannot teach Phil. Cons. in Elementary and High School because they are too young to understand this and they will easily forget this.

Many people especially the poor dont know anything about the Law of the Land. What they only know is we are a democratic country and they are free to say and to do everything. Look at the supporters of ERAP and FPJ they are easily mislead by the opposition because they dont know how to obey the law because they dont know the law.....

PRESIDENT Macapagal-Arroyo said last January that she is for amending the Constitution as quickly as possible so the country can shift to a parliamentary form of government under a federal system.

The Philippines needed to catch up with its neighbors in East Asia because they have parliamentary systems that can enact laws and implement reforms more quickly, the President told dzRH radio.

"Our system is really full of gridlocks," said Ms Macapagal, adding that even if the economy managed to post growth in the past two-and-a-half years of her presidency, the country was still lagging behind.

The President said she also favored a proposal from Speaker Jose de Venecia for Charter change to be effected by way of a constitutional convention whose delegates can be elected simultaneously with national officials in the elections next May.

.................................

But the President sidestepped a question on another statement of De Venecia's, reported in the Inquirer on Monday, that she was agreeable to resigning mid-way through her term-if she wins a full six-year term next May-to pave the way for the shift to a parliamentary system by 2007.

"It is like this. During my short stint as President, as I said, we have stabilized the political situation that I inherited and the prices of basic commodities. But these are just down payments and I am not contented with that. We need more basic reforms so that we can fulfill the aspirations of the common people," she said.

Ms Macapagal said Indonesia and Malaysia, which have federal systems, have advanced way ahead of the Philippines even if the latter is a large archipelago next only in size to Indonesia.

"During the short period of my presidency, we've had a higher growth than our neighbors. But they had a higher base because we have been left behind for some time. That is why the earlier the shift is made, the better," she said.

She said development flowed much too slowly to the provinces which are some distance from the central government in Manila.

That is why, she said, she had ordered the transfer of the head office of the agriculture department to Mindanao because Mindanao, not Metro Manila, was the country's food basket.

..............

I have been dreaming of this to happen to our beloved country. How ever everybody looks at it...Federal & Parliamentary form of governance is way much better than Democratic form of government. This system, as have been discussed previously in this thread will pave the way for all the designated states to be independent and become self-sufficient. Thus lessening the exodus of people to metro manila (w/c only gets most of the developments) because the wealth will be spread more evenly & oppurtunities will be available in the state level. This will create competition among the states w/c will be very benificial to our country in the end. GMA has my full backing on this...They just need an extensive campaign in educating the people regarding the benifits that we are gonna rip if we do this....

I'd say...create a law that will force the media to air Government Propaganda for free...and let them air it at prime time hours simultaneously so all the people will see and be educated...(this includes even cable operators)... I think this is the best medium because sa pinas at least +-98% of filipinos have TV. Kahit walang kainin basta may TV....lol...

I'm all for it. Besides the fact that at this point, it's time to try something different and a different system for the Philippines, I think it's a better system especially for a very populated country and a country with many regions and in this case, made up of islands. I think the federal system works fine anyways.

if we have a federal system of gov't that means only the politicians can choose the leader of the country and no term limits. this system works for the united kingdom well but not for the philippines. we need to keep the old system in place were the people elect its leader and six year term limits. if we have a federal system form of gov't in the philippines i can see a clone of (ferdinand marcos) again.

if we have a federal system of gov't that means only the politicians can choose the leader of the country and no term limits. this system works for the united kingdom well but not for the philippines. we need to keep the old system in place were the people elect its leader and six year term limits. if we have a federal system form of gov't in the philippines i can see a clone of (ferdinand marcos) again.

but don't we, the people, get to vote those members of the parliament (the ones you referred to as politicians) who will eventually select the head of the state or the prime minister? right now, im afraid that many of the voting population are not as educated as what we expect them to be. look who's voted into offices--incompetent people who just rely on their popularity. at least, if the final selection of the person who will occupy the highest seat will be done by the members of the parliament, who i think have a better knowledge on who to choose than an uneducated voter, then it's most likely that the result will be better.

also, i strongly believe that a Marcos phenomenon will never happen again. the filipinos won't allow it to happen.

Germany is a pariliamentary federal republic and the people get to vote!

I support this proposal 100% even if it will take a long way to go...

Let us form the Federal Republic of the Philippines!

with 85million people, big budget deficit, almost 60billion dollar debts, a gnp of only USD1200 per capita income....there is no way we can strengthen our institutions. The power and the wealth is only in Manila, thats why the President and Congress wanted a charter change because they find it very hard to govern and to distribute even the basic services the government can offer to its people. Example of this many filipinos wanted to work abroad needs to go to manila to process their passport, NBI etc...because all this can only be done in Manila. Another thing is all income from Taxes, Customs etc goes to the Philippine government and the Philippine government allocate this income for its projects but If we become a federal or parliament wherein every state will have their own income and will only give a percent of it to the Philippine government they will not need to beg to the Philippine government to allocate funds for their respective states.

er, i beg to disagree...the reason why we have weak institutions is coz the govt officials themselves have lost their morals & allowed themselves to be corrupted by power, w/c led us people to completely lose our trust to our own govt. & therefore, its not the system that is exactly the problem, its the wicked culture & continuing moral degradation of filipinos. we hav huge pop coz we hav a mismanaged pop prog by the govt, 60 billion debts coz of graft & corruption & mismanaged fiscal policy, san mo isisi yan? sa democracy???

on the other hand, maybe, maybe, there may be no way to strengthen anymore our institutions, coz its too late sa gabundok na problema...but shifting is not the answer either... federal form needs a strong middle class para makasurvive lahat ng states na magkakanya-kanya (yun e kung kaya!) and besides, decentralization of some govt functions to LGUs has long been enacted thru the local govt code of 1991 courtesy of Sen. Pimentel. in other words, matagal nang may federal manifestations ang phil. democracy pero hindi gano naiimplement. my suggestion is to implement first the LG code in full-swing for several years before the gradual shifting-> w/ the right people, hello!!. but shifting now or w/in the next 10 yrs. is definitely impossible!! :(

for the meantime, im supporting GMA's program of "Strong Republic" -or strengthening RP's institutions, this is exactly what she means. para nga naman malakas na cya until the time we would be ready for the shift :) BUT again, if it runs by the same stupid people who thinks govt is the most lucrative choice to be rich and 'noble' at the same time, ewan ko na lang. i guess democracy is havin the best of both worlds talaga :D

Why don't we call the new Philippines "The United Islands of the Philippines". hahaha... kinda cheesy tho.

I don't know about a completely independent Negros. I don't think any single part of this fragile country and survive by itself.

Btw, what's the public opinion in the streets of Manila? Has the issue died down since it was brought up again couple of months ago?

renell, the statement only meant independence from imperial Manila. by all means let's go federal!

if we have a federal system of gov't that means only the politicians can choose the leader of the country and no term limits. this system works for the united kingdom well but not for the philippines. we need to keep the old system in place were the people elect its leader and six year term limits. if we have a federal system form of gov't in the philippines i can see a clone of (ferdinand marcos) again.

No offense meant...but this statement is exactly why the Gov. needs to educate the public to understand the purpose of charter change and explain to them how Parliamentary or Federal System of Government works...and what benifits there is to this system compared to our flawed government system in place.

yup... I'd love to see the Philippines go under a Federal Form of Government... this will help in decentralizing power... and would possibly help improve each region or state... this might also help providing peace in Mindanao, where Bangsamoro can have autonomy on their state.... though not complete of course.... a local leader can help them much better.....

but then again.. the federal government is very much close to our provincial form of government where each province is governed by a governor... in the federal government, the state will be composed of more than 1 province under 1 governor.... so corruption may still remain with 1 governor controlling a bigger region.....

in this change, what will happen to the provincial governors?.... does this mean provinces will be diminished?

in this change, what will happen to the provincial governors?.... does this mean provinces will be diminished?

same here, im wondering about that, too. maybe they can assign them as counties (county) just like here in the US. according to wikipedia, "the term... represents a tertiary geographical unit of administration intermediate between the larger, secondary state [or province], and the smaller, quaternary township, municipality or district."

But in parliamentary or federal form, the national government can easily pin-point which state government is corrupt. Like right now in indonesia...after their decentralization during the late 90's (if im not wrong)...the states that are doing their job managed to triple the income base of their constituents...while they managed to pin point the states that are still corrupt ridden...

So if they dont do their Job as governor they'll become very obvious to the public coz the rest of the country is progressing but their state is regressing. This way the national government can focus on states that need help....especially in cleanin up the act of the officials runnin the state...

Take note of this we will be parliamentary form of government under a federal system and not parliamentary or federal.

Exermpts from Philippine Star:

According to Abueva, there are two main compelling reasons why the Philippines needs to adopt a different form of government: a defective presidential system and a dysfunctional political party system.

The parliamentary-federal system being proposed by the CMFP will see the national government only responsible for national security and defense, foreign relations, currency and monetary policy, citizenship, human rights, customs and immigration issues, among other functions of a federal government. All other socio-economic functions and government services that impact directly on the lives of the people will be the responsibility of ten regional governments or States and their local governments.

This is true in countries like Malaysia, India, Canada, Australia and Federal Republic of Germany, the CMFP noted.

The 10 proposed states under a federal form are Northern Luzon-Cordillera, Central Luzon, Metro Manila, Southern Tagalog, Bicol, West Visayas-Palawan, East Visayas, North and West Mindanao, Bangsamoro and Central and South Mindanao.

Under the parliament, the executive and legislative powers are combined. The leader of the majority party or coalition is elected as Prime Minister by parliament as well as members of the Cabinet.

According to the CMFP proposal, parliament shall be bicameral. Members of the "House of the People" will be elected in the parliamentary districts and by "proportional representation" of the political parties.

The CMFP argued that while some supporters of parliamentary government want to have a unicameral legislature, another house in the parliament is needed "to represent and promote the rights and interest of the States."

This will ensure the states’ or regional governments’ autonomy, powers, functions and resources vis-à-vis the federal government, it said.

"The members of the House and States - much smaller in number - shall be chosen by the State Assemblies," it said. "Every state or regional government shall have an elective State Assembly that also combines executive and legislative power."

The regional government elects the leader of the majority party or coalition as the State Governor who then forms a State Cabinet "made up mostly of members of the State Assembly.

A voter, Abueva said, will vote for a member of the parliament in his district and the national party of choice. He will also vote for a member of the State Assembly and the party of his choice.

i was wrong about the federal form of govt in the united kingdom, its parliamentary pala. but in any case we need to put term limits which ever form of gov't is eventually chosen. i just dont like a system were the people of the land is not directly voting for thier leader. do you really want politicians choosing our leader? i still like the system in place right now. at least the masses have a say who will be the leader. not a bunch of millionaire politicians.

i was wrong about the federal form of govt in the united kingdom, its parliamentary pala. but in any case we need to put term limits which ever form of gov't is eventually chosen. i just dont like a system were the people of the land is not directly voting for thier leader. do you really want politicians choosing our leader? i still like the system in place right now. at least the masses have a say who will be the leader. not a bunch of millionaire politicians.

In parliamentary system we still vote for the the ministers that will take office and yes they do have term limits. The ministers will then vote for the prime minister which they think is the most competent of them all. Indirectly we have voted for him coz he cannot be prime minister if he isn't a minister. We also vote for a President if we adopt Parliamentary-Presidential or Par-Fed. The president will take care of the domestic Issues while the PM will do all the International, economic, etc affairs. Much like the Queen of england but they dont vote for her coz they have Par-Monarchy system, Tony Blair is the one always doin the dirty Job while the Queen sits on a palace, attends parties etc to create a relation with the citezens.

In addition Even if a bunch of Politician Billionaires vote for our PM, but if the PM loosses the confidence of the Cabinet(ministers) they can just do a vote of none confidence to the PM and he will be removed from office w/o any People Power like in our streets (w/c sadly already lost its meaning ever since we did and Edsa2 & 3).

So in short, we vote properly and intelligently then guaranteed we will see a competent PM in the making. Not like today, actors tend to run for political positions thinking its that easy to do so. They are just confident coz they knowpeople will vote coz they are popular. After they take office, then what? They dont even know what to do...

i was wrong about the federal form of govt in the united kingdom, its parliamentary pala. but in any case we need to put term limits which ever form of gov't is eventually chosen. i just dont like a system were the people of the land is not directly voting for thier leader. do you really want politicians choosing our leader? i still like the system in place right now. at least the masses have a say who will be the leader. not a bunch of millionaire politicians.

yep cruizer ... UK has parliamentary form of government .... but really, what we need in the Philippines is a combined/modified PARLIAMENTARY-FEDERAL form of government that will suit us all Filipinos. Our form of government right now is very self-limiting to the extent that centralisation and decision-making were all based in Malacanang.

Is it gonna be federal form of government??? Let see and find out :)

http://news.inq7.net/breaking/index.php?index=1&story_id=36665

After VAT, comes constitutional reform, says Arroyo
INQ7.net

AFTER she signs the expanded value-added tax (VAT) bill, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will next set her sights on constitutional reform.
At a news conference in Malacañang, Arroyo reminded Congress that a one-year moratorium on discussions on "Charter change" will expire when the next regular session of Congress starts in July.

"As I said, there's a one-year moratorium, therefore [constitutional reform] will be taken up in the next session of Congress," Arroyo said.

"It's part of our medium-term development plan," she added.

The President has expressed a desire to change the country's form of government from presidential to parliamentary.

Lawmakers however are split on how to do this.

Some lawmakers want Congress to form itself into a constituent assembly in order to amend the Constitution; others want a separately elected constitutional convention to perform the task.

Whichever method is chosen, any constitutional amendment will require approval in a plebiscite.

After the Cha-Cha shall have been deliberated by Congress and signed by the President, each of the regions will now have the chance to make quicker decisions for each of the regions’ advancement. Watch out Bicolandia, Ilocandia, Waraylandia, Ilongolandia, Sugbuanons.

Watch out Bicolandia, Ilocandia, Waraylandia, Ilongolandia, Sugbuanons.

Please don't tell me that they're planning on using these names for the proposed federal states! Although Ilocandia and Bicolandia have been used before.

For Super Gov of Waraylandia, Imelda is contemplating on getting it. For Ilocandia's Super Gov, it would be a toss between Bong Bong and Farinas.

For Super Gov of Waraylandia, Imelda is contemplating on getting it. For Ilocandia's Super Gov, it would be a toss between Bong Bong and Farinas.

Are you serious!? Or are you just yanking my chain. :hahano:

that "Super Governor" title made me laugh. does that even exist? hehe!

by the way, kiretoce thanks for adding me :)

I'm serious. Her first bill would be to tear down the MacArthur statue at Palo Beach. She would then transfer all her shoes there for people to see.

For Farinas, his first bill would be to make all able bodied men and women to have guns in their house.

Life would then really be too exciting for these two enclaves.

http://www.philstar.com/philstar/News200505140401.htm

Cha-cha next on GMA agenda
By Aurea Calica
The Philippine Star 05/14/2005

President Arroyo revived a long-standing proposal to amend the Constitution yesterday, saying Charter change (Cha-cha) is next on her anti-poverty agenda, now that measures to address the chronic budget deficit have been put in place.

Mrs. Arroyo will push for Charter change when the second session of Congress begins in July, and she is counting on the Senate to back it up.

"It is part of our medium-term plan that there will be a constitutional convention," she told a press briefing at Malacañang.

Mrs. Arroyo did not say how she would push the new agenda forward.

Moves to amend the Constitution were derailed last year when the Senate disagreed with the House of Representatives on when and how to amend the Constitution.

In her annual State of the Nation Address (SONA) before Congress in July last year, Mrs. Arroyo had asked lawmakers to consider amending the Constitution in 2005 to convert the country’s US-style presidential government to a parliamentary-federal system as part of her agenda to ease the country’s wrenching poverty.

She said such a move would speed up the country’s economic recovery efforts.

Mrs. Arroyo and supporters of the plan said it would end the gridlock in Congress caused by fruitless debates under the current system and would give more power to local governments that have grown tired of Manila’s control.

However, Charter change proponents, led by Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr., were forced to shelve the plan and impose a year-long moratorium on Cha-cha talks due to the country’s worsening fiscal situation and the need to enact urgent economic measures.

The Arroyo administration is grappling with a chronic budget deficit that analysts say could explode into a fiscal crisis and derail Mrs. Arroyo’s anti-poverty agenda.

Mrs. Arroyo proposed several new taxes, implemented an austerity program, launched a crackdown on tax evasion and corruption, among other measures to ease the budget gap.

Charter change opponents say economic reforms and endemic corruption should be addressed first, adding that a parliamentary system needs strong parties in order to work properly.

They say a strong party system is something the Philippines’ personality-driven political landscape notably lacks.

De Venecia, however, points to the many parliamentary governments in Europe and Asia as examples of how such a system could work better than the US-style presidential system, which the Philippines inherited from its American colonizers in the 1900s.

"This system avoids the gridlock associated with the bicameral, presidential system," De Venecia said, citing the Philippines’ own experience.

Under the current system, the executive branch of government must engage in lengthy debates and lobbying with two chambers of Congress — the Senate and the House of Representatives — before a bill can be passed and sent to the president for signing.

A federal system has also gained favor among provincial governments who have long been dissatisfied over the dominance of "Imperial Manila."

Under a unitary government, a sole executive or the office of the president decides policy for the entire country. A federal system sees several states form a unity government while maintaining independence in internal affairs.

But the details of the change have not yet been firmed up and the process of change is still the subject of heated debate.

Moreover, critics have charged that parliamentary governments rely on strong political parties while in the Philippines, most parties are merely vehicles for prominent personalities such as presidential candidates.

Moreover, elected officials switch parties with ease, making parliamentary governments vulnerable to being toppled anytime.

Past attempts to amend the Charter during the administrations of Fidel Ramos and Joseph Estrada were derailed by strong public opposition fueled by memories of the brutal Marcos dictatorship.

Most Filipinos fear that Charter change proponents might remove limits on elected officials’ terms.

Term limits were put in place in the Constitution when it was rewritten in 1986 to prevent a repeat of the brutal Marcos dictatorship as well as block abuse of power.

The president is limited to a single six-year term and lawmakers to three three-year terms. Local officials from governors to mayors are likewise limited to three three-year terms.

Opinion polls have consistently shown that most Filipinos oppose moves to amend the Constitution.

In 2003, an initiative from De Venecia to set in motion the shift to a parliamentary system was derailed by the Senate, which disagreed with the House on how and when to tinker with the Constitution.

Article 17 of the Constitution provides three methods to amend the charter: by a constituent assembly, by a constitutional convention, or by a people’s initiative.

In a constituent assembly, the legislature would propose amendments while in a constitutional convention, delegates elected by the people to the body would introduce amendments.

In a people’s initiative, at least 12 percent of the electorate may propose changes through a petition.

All proposed amendments are to be ratified by the people in a plebiscite.

De Venecia wanted a constituent assembly but most of the Senate preferred a constitutional convention to allow the people to have a direct say in who would rewrite the Constitution.

Constituent assembly proponents argue it is the least costly method and takes the least amount of time to set up because no election is needed. Congress may sit as a constituent assembly if both its chambers pass a resolution for this purpose.

In March last year, the House passed such a resolution. It proposed changing the form of government from presidential to parliamentary with a unicameral legislature. A federal system would be adopted after a fixed 10-year transition period.

However, a similar measure in the Senate didn’t make it through due to opposition.

For Bicolandia, the Super Gov would always be uneasy. Coup d'etat will be a fact of life with the obsessively unhappy Honasan making himself ubiquitous day in and day out. There is a good hiding place for Honasan, right inside the caldera.

After the Cha-Cha shall have been deliberated by Congress and signed by the President, each of the regions will now have the chance to make quicker decisions for each of the regions’ advancement. Watch out Bicolandia, Ilocandia, Waraylandia, Ilongolandia, Sugbuanons.


Noli, can't say anything much about these region's name .. gosh .. Ilongolandia sounds exotic ... hahaha ... I still prefer Western Visayas or Mid-western region of the Philippines ... like here in UK esp in England, there are Midlands, SouthWest, etc.

Btw, this thread really made my day ... just reading all the latest posts about the Super Gov ... hahaha ... especially the plan of demolishing MacArthur in replacement of shoes ... rather I suggest that the Waraylandia Super Gov to let the statue have her shoes instead ..at least it will really be a great history in the making, kidding aside.

Seriously speaking, the Philippines needs to have a FEDERAL FORM of government.

:)

Hi Wecky.

Once in a while, Britain uses the term Danelaw to refer to the area populated by Britons of Scandinavian origin, i.e., the areas invaded by Vikings from Norway, Sweden and, of course, Denmark, hence Daneland. Another area is Wesex which is now more commonly known as the Metropolitan London. Also in Ireland, the area outside of Metropolitan Dublin is generally termed "Outside of the Pale."

probably is Noli ... but personally, I don't like the term Ilonggolandia ... it sounds unfitting ... something with the term doesn't seems so right though ... hehehe ... anyway, whatever they call it as long as they'll approve the Federalism of the Philippines .. I'll go for it. Cheers!

Don't know where to post this....guess here will be fine. :)

================================================================

Breakthrough in Mindanao?
3 June 2005

The surprising announcement on Tuesday by Moro Islamic Liberation Front chairman Murad Ibrahim that his group would be open to something less than full independence for a Bangsamoro, or Muslim homeland, in Mindanao was welcome news. It has been more than thirty years now that the first peace talks between Moro fighters and the Philippine government began in Jeddah, and still there has been no permanent solution to the conflict that began when Spain tried unsuccessfully to control Mindanao during its 300-year colonial rule over the Philippines.

Three decades of armed conflict in Mindanao have displaced hundreds of thousands of Muslims, created a culture of arms and violence, and prevented the region from reaching its full potential. Murad announced at a three-day meeting of MILF members and supporters that the MILF was looking at the experiences of minorities in other countries to see how Filipino Muslims can accommodate their aspirations for self-rule. “We are open to discuss federalism, we are open to discuss a free state, we are open to discuss any other form of governance,” said Murad.

The current policy of allowing separate schools for Muslims in Mindanao, and Shariah courts for family legal matters, has been deemed not enough. Indeed, most of the Mindanao region remains the most underdeveloped and impoverished of the Philippines, despite its still plentiful natural resources. The one experiment in Muslim autonomy in the form of the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) has been declared a dismal failure by both Muslims themselves and by Manila. Only four provinces and one city opted to form ARMM in 1996 — one more province and another city joined later — and it has, unfortunately, never been successful. Riddled with corruption and neglect from both Manila and Filipino Muslims, ARMM was doomed to failure from its inception for being too little, too late.

Abhoud Syed M. Lingga, the executive director of the Institute of Bangsamoro Studies, has warned that the MILF could suffer the same fate as the Moro National Liberation Front if it also gives in to what is seen as insincere solutions presented by the Philippine government. He says that the various solutions to the political relationship between the Philippines and the Muslims should be evaluated and decided upon by the Bangsamoro people themselves in a referendum that goes beyond a mere “yes” or “no” vote on a single option. The truth of the matter is that the Organization of the Islamic Conference has never supported independence as a solution to the Bangsamoro problem. The OIC has always reiterated that the independence and territorial integrity of the Philippines has to be respected because of the fact that Muslims today are a minority in the Philippines.

While the Bangsamoro are different from the majority of Christian Filipinos in terms of their religious and social values, there are surely still ways of accommodating these differences, while still remaining a part of the Republic of the Philippines. With the US leading a global war against terror, and with a Muslim population yearning for peace and stability, for freedom from conflict and hoping for a better future, Murad has been forced to seek other options than fighting and total independence. The OIC and the Kingdom should back Murad’s initiative at exploring new avenues of conflict resolution. The Arroyo administration has already responded positively to these latest developments, and seems ready to continue talking along these lines. This is a rare and golden opportunity to stop the bloody conflict that Mindanao has been racked with for 30 years. All sides should seize the moment, as another opportunity like this one may not happen again for some time.

Found this on the web. I think these are the proposed ten states for the Federal Republic of the Philippines.

http://islandphilippines.com/map/other/20102005.gif

It's my first time to post a pic so I'm not sure if this is going to work. If not, here's the link: http://islandphilippines.com/map/other/20102005.gif
*note: copy and paste the link to your browser instead of clicking on it. it has a different effect for some reason*

Hey it worked! Yipee!!!

Found this on the web. I think these are the proposed ten states for the Federal Republic of the Philippines.

http://islandphilippines.com/map/other/20102005.gif

It's my first time to post a pic so I'm not sure if this is going to work. If not, here's the link: http://islandphilippines.com/map/other/20102005.gif

The image didn't work but the link does! Thanks @ramvingar! :okay:

Proposed Federal State Names:

Northern Luzon State
Central Luzon State
Southern Tagalog State
Bicol State
Western Visayas State
Central Visayas State
Eastern Visayas State
Northern Mindanao State
Southern Mindanao State
Bangsamoro State

it's weird. sometimes the image shows up and sometimes it doesn't. maybe coz it's a .gif file?

The story about Cebu Province being divided into three smaller provinces is just part and parcel of the evolving (call it gerrymandering) system of government the Philippines will have. Hey, California and Texas have lots of counties too! And administration will be much closer to the people. This way the whole Central Visayas (not Sugbuanon, since Bo-ol and West Buglas will surely complain) will be a much more efficient machine.

Abuevas' 10 proposed states under a federal form are:
1. Northern Luzon-Cordillera,
2. Central Luzon,
3. Metro Manila,
4. Southern Tagalog,
5. Bicol,
6. West Visayas-Palawan,
7. East Visayas,
8. North and West Mindanao,
9. Bangsamoro and
10. Central and South Mindanao.

I think fewer is more viable:

Federal State of North Luzon
Federal State of Luzon (Metro Manila)
Federal State of South Luzon
Federal State of Visayas
Federal State of Mindanao
Federal State of Bangsamoro

I think Abueva's 10 proposed states is very viable, indeed .. hopefully, the Philippines will start to move into federal form of government now. Giving more power to so called state in terms of running their own budget, laws, projects, etc.

Found this on the web. I think these are the proposed ten states for the Federal Republic of the Philippines.

http://islandphilippines.com/map/other/20102005.gif

It's my first time to post a pic so I'm not sure if this is going to work. If not, here's the link: http://islandphilippines.com/map/other/20102005.gif
*note: copy and paste the link to your browser instead of clicking on it. it has a different effect for some reason*

Thanks for the link, ramvingar ... been reviewing it all along ... and learn so much from it. Cheers!

No problem wecky. Just came across it by accident when i searched "Philippine political map" on yahoo.

So what do you guys think should be the State capitals for each one? Here are my thoughts:

Northern Luzon - Laoag
Central Luzon - Angeles City
Southern Tagalog - Lipa City
Bicol - Legazpi
Western Visayas - Iloilo
Eastern Visayas - Cebu
Northern Mindanao - Zamboanga
Bangsamoro - General Santos (not sure if it's located there though)
Southern Mindanao - Davao

Cebu wants to be an independent state (ever since) if ever Federal form of government is implemented in the country. at least that's what i always hear from the governor and the city mayors... and i totally agree with this! :D

No problem wecky. Just came across it by accident when i searched "Philippine political map" on yahoo.

So what do you guys think should be the State capitals for each one? Here are my thoughts:

Northern Luzon - Laoag
Central Luzon - Angeles City
Southern Tagalog - Lipa City
Bicol - Legazpi
Western Visayas - Iloilo
Eastern Visayas - Cebu
Northern Mindanao - Zamboanga
Bangsamoro - General Santos (not sure if it's located there though)
Southern Mindanao - Davao


my bet...
North Luzon and Cordillera - Laoag or Baguio
Central Luzon - Angeles
Southern Tagalog - Batangas City
Bicol - definitely Legaspi City
Western Visayas/Palawan - Puerto Princesa
Eastern Visayas - Cebu City
North and West Mindanao - Zamboanga City
Bangsamoro - Jolo
Central and Southern Mindanao - Davao City
Metro Manila - Manila

In Central Luzon, it is much better if San Fernando City would be the state capital because overall, the city is much better than Angeles in terms of Political Affairs.
It would be like this: economic: angeles, political:sn fdo.

In Central Luzon, it is much better if San Fernando City would be the state capital because overall, the city is much better than Angeles in terms of Political Affairs.
It would be like this: economic: angeles, political:sn fdo.


I get your point and it does make sense. Kinda like here in California where it's politics: sacramento, economic: los angeles and san francisco

Here's my State Capital:

North Luzon - Clark/Angeles City
Central Luzon(MM) - Manila City
South Luzon - Batangas City
Visayas - Cebu City
Mindanao - Davao City
Bangsamoro - Marawi City

I think with fewer states is most viable. Except for South Luzon and Bangsamoro, the rest already has an International Airport.

In Central Luzon, it is much better if San Fernando City would be the state capital because overall, the city is much better than Angeles in terms of Political Affairs.
It would be like this: economic: angeles, political:sn fdo.

I agree most of the regional government offices are located in San Fernando although some of them are in Clark and I think DTI Region III is in Angeles.

Here's my State Capital:

North Luzon - Clark/Angeles City
Central Luzon(MM) - Manila City
South Luzon - Batangas City
Visayas - Cebu City
Mindanao - Davao City
Bangsamoro - Marawi City

I think with fewer states is most viable. Except for South Luzon and Bangsamoro, the rest already has an International Airport.


uhmmm.... Clark and Angeles Cities are not part of Northern Luzon... well at least from our current regional division.....

Western Visayas/Palawan with Puerto Princesa as its capital?

Ask the Alaskan people especially the Anchorage people about their gripes on the location of their capital of Juneau being out in the boondocks or bundok.

Iloilo has the fourth largest airport in the Philippines and is the center of Ilongolandia, from Boracay to Hinobaan. Besides Palawan is sparsely populated. The only place where it is densely populated is Iwahig. And they were there involuntarily.

Iloilo should be made the capital. Well, people of Western Visayas should be made to choose.

Execs in South mull Mindanao Republic
By Edith Regalado
The Philippine Star 06/14/2005

DAVAO CITY — If the political opposition and other groups in Manila persist in working to overthrow the government, people in the South may form a "Mindanao Republic."

Political leaders in Mindanao yesterday warned that should the opposition and militants in Metro Manila take to the streets in an effort to instigate a people power-style ouster of President Arroyo, there shall be no support from their group.

"We are fed up with people in Imperial Manila deciding the fate of the country for us," Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte said. "Enough of it. Metro Manila or EDSA is not the entire Philippines."

Duterte led local executives in the South in vowing that they would establish a separate "Mindanao republic" if the powers that be in Metro Manila continued to play around with the country’s political stability.

"We also have our voices and we cannot just accept who those in Manila would choose to be the country’s leader," he said.

"We cannot allow these people in Manila to continue what they have been doing like plotting the ouster of presidents," he said. "They should also remember we are living in the same country and if that is the case that they go on with what they have been… doing, then maybe this time they should do it without Mindanao."

Several local executives in Mindanao have also expressed support for Mrs. Arroyo, saying the controversies hounding her administration are all centered in Metro Manila, such as the jueteng scandal and the existence of recordings that supposedly reveal Mrs. Arroyo plotting to commit fraud in the May 2004 elections to ensure her victory.

House Majority Floor Leader and Davao City Rep. Prospero Nograles shared Duterte’s sentiments, saying Mindanao did not take part in either the EDSA I and EDSA II people power revolts that ousted presidents Ferdinand Marcos and Joseph Estrada in 1986 and 2001.

"Before, the people in Mindanao just waited on who would become the next president. This time it will be different," Nograles said.

Duterte chided the militants and the opposition leaders in Metro Manila whom he said wanted to establish an "EDSA republic."

People in Mindanao might as well come up with their own "Mindanao republic" if this is the case, he said.

North Cotabato Gov. Emmanuel Piñol noted that destabilization moves hatched by political adventurers in Metro Manila do not directly concern Mindanaoans.

"If there are (impeachment) charges (against the President), then charges should be filed," Piñol said. "Let those issues be resolved in the proper forum."

Saranggani Gov. Miguel Dominguez said he is fully behind the Arroyo administration: "Saranggani supports President Arroyo. Period."

He added that, instead of focusing on controversies and scandals, the leaders should redirect their energies toward bringing development and progress to their localities.

South Cotabato Gov. Daisy Fuentes added that, although she wants to support the President, she still wants Mrs. Arroyo to address the issues raised against her to clear up matters once and for all.

"Still, I would want the President to address those issues," Fuentes said.

"The Federal Islamic Republic of Mindanao" has a nice ring to it! :colgate:

Except not all of those residing in Mindanao are Islamic.

Western Visayas/Palawan with Puerto Princesa as its capital?

Ask the Alaskan people especially the Anchorage people about their gripes on the location of their capital of Juneau being out in the boondocks or bundok.

Iloilo has the fourth largest airport in the Philippines and is the center of Ilongolandia, from Boracay to Hinobaan. Besides Palawan is sparsely populated. The only place where it is densely populated is Iwahig. And they were there involuntarily.

Iloilo should be made the capital. Well, people of Western Visayas should be made to choose.


hehehe .. what a big laugh if it happens ... hehehe ... anyway a suggestion is a suggestion ... it's a shame though ... hahaha .. only people who hates Iloilo much will recourse to that re-structuring of capital. It can never be denied that Iloilo has really awaken from its long slumber. Keep on eye on that .. who knows? :)

hey I dont wanna see the Philippines being torn apart

Is it true that the Philippines is a divided nation? I mean each region has its own culture, language, and religion. I heard some Muslims don't celebrate Indepedence Day because they don't feel like they're part of the nation, especially those in Mindanao. Has anyone read this? http://www.staronline.com/vcs/county_news/article/0,1375,VCS_226_3851289,00.html

To a degree it's quite true. Many people in MM are quite a world away from people in other islands , just one reason why the filipinization of education did not quite take off, visayan is spoken more widely than tagalog. Most educated people here in this forum are manila centric too, take a step above then you realize that even for "revolutionary event's" like edsa1 and edsa2 many cities were actually at the other side and looked upon it as another elitist manila deal.

But

there are many things that do ties us together. Democracy - Everyone knows and loves the election game, specially when it goes down to it's lowest and bloodiest level, barangays. This is very local yet every person cherishes his right to stick it (hence votes for erap and fpj to stick it to the people in manila) and this runs accross the whole archipelago. Diaspora also ties us together, there are very few villages with no one in another country, as a people we all speak the language of OFW and relatives living abroad. Whether they send money back or the people here wanting to join them this is the same sociological pheno which is an articulation of our common economic predicament and capability as a people to tie in with the world, and yet this highlights our extended family which includes not only relatives but neighbors etc etc. The nosy people who you cant stand but will be there in the dozens when something happens. This is something people who move abroad definitely do not enjoy (if they value it at all). And of course who can forget "Eat Bulaga" - the perfect representation of media power and pervasiveness in our culture. While we all text away keeping the country together, the content is driven by media, whether it's coups and jueteng, Sex bomb girls, Manny Pacqauio , F4 (Can you imagine a bisaya , tagalog and ilokano singing together in chinese a language they don't even understand) etc. We love our media. As a percentage of gnp for a developing nation we sure spend a big chunk of it on this, larger than most countries! So while politically and culturally there are breaks in fabric , there are very clear delineations to being pinoy:)

Just to keep in topic.

Actually if we federalize , I think it's best to just keep the present regions as the infrastrucutre is already there. Reorganizing will be so expensive. Plus in a few years time when we hit 100 120 million we'll have states/regions which have 20 maybe 30 million in it, specially if we limit to just 10 states. If we have the present 15 (or is it 16) , we'll have some more manageable sizes specially for the provinces.

That way we won't have idiot governors who control too big chunks of the country.

Execs in South mull Mindanao Republic
By Edith Regalado
The Philippine Star 06/14/2005

DAVAO CITY — If the political opposition and other groups in Manila persist in working to overthrow the government, people in the South may form a "Mindanao Republic."

Political leaders in Mindanao yesterday warned that should the opposition and militants in Metro Manila take to the streets in an effort to instigate a people power-style ouster of President Arroyo, there shall be no support from their group.

"We are fed up with people in Imperial Manila deciding the fate of the country for us," Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte said. "Enough of it. Metro Manila or EDSA is not the entire Philippines."

Duterte led local executives in the South in vowing that they would establish a separate "Mindanao republic" if the powers that be in Metro Manila continued to play around with the country’s political stability.

"We also have our voices and we cannot just accept who those in Manila would choose to be the country’s leader," he said.

"We cannot allow these people in Manila to continue what they have been doing like plotting the ouster of presidents," he said. "They should also remember we are living in the same country and if that is the case that they go on with what they have been… doing, then maybe this time they should do it without Mindanao."

Several local executives in Mindanao have also expressed support for Mrs. Arroyo, saying the controversies hounding her administration are all centered in Metro Manila, such as the jueteng scandal and the existence of recordings that supposedly reveal Mrs. Arroyo plotting to commit fraud in the May 2004 elections to ensure her victory.

House Majority Floor Leader and Davao City Rep. Prospero Nograles shared Duterte’s sentiments, saying Mindanao did not take part in either the EDSA I and EDSA II people power revolts that ousted presidents Ferdinand Marcos and Joseph Estrada in 1986 and 2001.

"Before, the people in Mindanao just waited on who would become the next president. This time it will be different," Nograles said.

Duterte chided the militants and the opposition leaders in Metro Manila whom he said wanted to establish an "EDSA republic."

People in Mindanao might as well come up with their own "Mindanao republic" if this is the case, he said.

North Cotabato Gov. Emmanuel Piñol noted that destabilization moves hatched by political adventurers in Metro Manila do not directly concern Mindanaoans.

"If there are (impeachment) charges (against the President), then charges should be filed," Piñol said. "Let those issues be resolved in the proper forum."

Saranggani Gov. Miguel Dominguez said he is fully behind the Arroyo administration: "Saranggani supports President Arroyo. Period."

He added that, instead of focusing on controversies and scandals, the leaders should redirect their energies toward bringing development and progress to their localities.

South Cotabato Gov. Daisy Fuentes added that, although she wants to support the President, she still wants Mrs. Arroyo to address the issues raised against her to clear up matters once and for all.

"Still, I would want the President to address those issues," Fuentes said.

Singsons warn of an 'Ilocos Republic'

First posted 10:09pm (Mla time) June 15, 2005
Inquirer News Service



Editor's Note: Published on Page A18 of the June 16, 2005 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer


CANDON CITY-Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis "Chavit" Singson said an "Ilocos Republic" would emerge if President Macapagal-Arroyo were removed from office without due process.

"We will come out with an Ilocos autonomous region to protect our own constituents," Singson, a staunch supporter of Ms Arroyo, said in Ilocano on Wednesday during the inauguration of the City of Candon General Hospital here.

"The President should not be taken out without any due process. We don't want a change of government. The sentiment of the whole country is different from the sentiment of Metro Manila," he said.

Singson's testimony during the impeachment trial of former President Joseph Estrada, his erstwhile friend, helped bring down Estrada and thrust Ms Arroyo to power in 2001.

Singson said majority of representatives and governors in the four provinces in Ilocos are open to a federal system in the country.

Ilocos Sur Rep. Eric Singson said the "Ilocos Republic" is not a mere response
Print this story
Send this story
Write the editor
Reprint this article
View other stories








to the move to oust Ms Arroyo.

"It's not only a show of support. If there is no more rule of law, we would be forced to establish an autonomous region to implement our own peace and order as well as manage our economy," he said.

Governor Singson said the proposed "Ilocos Republic" would include the provinces of the Ilocos Region (Region I)-Pangasinan, La Union, Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte.

He said the Cordillera provinces of Abra and Mt. Province, which used to be parts of the Ilocos region, would be included.

He said under the proposed system, the current leaders would rule the "republic" on their own terms, although they would eventually select a common leader, Rep. Singson said.

He said that they would propose holding a plebiscite if the experiment pushed through.

The 1987 Constitution mandates the creation of only two autonomous Regions - the Cordillera and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

The law creating the Cordillera Autonomous Region lost in two plebiscites in the 1990s.

Ilocos region has a population of more than four million in 2000. Frank Cimatu and Leoncio Balbin Jr., PDI Northern Luzon Bureau

A Federal Philippines or an independent Cebu?

by Valeriano S. Avila
June 15, 2005

Years ago, we used to joke about it, especially when that joker from Cagayan de Oro, Mr. Ruben Canoy came up with his Mindanao Dollar. Yes, the Philippines as a nation have been deeply accepted into the national psyche, even if we're a nation with diverse culture and language. But with the nation facing political turmoil after turmoil, including years of martial rule and two successful, but peaceful People's Power Revolts, the question whether the Philippines should continue as one nation has once more resurfaced, this time from frustrated, but sane political leaders of Mindanao like Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and House Majority Floor Leader Rep. Prospero Nograles… not from Muslim separatists!
Indeed, I used to write about this in jest, lest we be tagged as seditious or calling for a break up of our country. But when our political leaders can no longer hack it-and the alternative is even worse, a military junta or Revolutionary government as what T/Sgt. Vidal Doble was saying, then as we wrote in our column last Monday-it is time for Cebuanos to look for other "options", options which no doubt has crossed the hearts and minds of many Cebuanos who speak about this in the privacy of their offices or homes.

A few weeks ago, CNN celebrated its 25th year of satellite broadcasting and they came up with tv clips or footings of their past live tv coverage. Many of them involved the break up of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) which broke apart into huge and tiny nations, huge like Ukraine or Georgia or tiny like what used to be called the Baltic States of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. CNN also covered the break up of the Warsaw Pact of nations, like Yugoslavia breaking into Serbia, Croatia, Montenegro or Macedonia.

Indeed, Mayor Duterte came up with a not-so-veiled-threat saying, "We are fed up with people in Imperial Manila deciding the fate of the country for us… Enough of it! That if Metro Manila politicos continue to play around, he may just call for a separate "Mindanao Republic"… something I'm sure that the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) would rally behind and if that happens, what then would be left of the Philippines as a nation?

What about us in Cebu… why are we mum on this issue? Shouldn't we also send the same message to Imperial Manila to either shape up or ship out? I think Cebuanos by now should consider the possibility of calling for a Cebu Independence Movement (CIM) as a warning to Imperial Manila that if Mindanao frees itself from the rotten Philippine Republic (that the late Pres. Manuel L. Quezon cursed that he'd rather run like hell by Filipinos), then I say that we should now think along similar lines. Meanwhile, I'm still holding on to the possibility of holding a concon for the creation of a Federal Philippines. If that fails, then let's shift to an Independent Cebu!
* * *

Here's a letter comment about the topic we've just written about: "Bobit, I just read Davao Mayor Duterte's reaction to the latest development on the government "crisis". First of all, I believe the latest "crisis" is the creation of power-hungry politicians who can't get elected and are desperately grasping at straws. I know some level-headed people like yourself have been fighting this fight, but I'm glad that people like the mayor of a major city is not just standing by with their mouths wide open while the supposed- to-be "superior" people from Manila is ramming their own agenda down your throats.

Just because they think they can drum up sympathy for their movie star candidate and manufacture evidence, that they can drag everybody else in their stupid campaign. Like the mayor said, it's time people from imperial Manila know that they're not the only ones living in the country… Delio V. Serrano"

It seems like the word “republic” is getting too inflationary these days. What with the threatened Ilocos Republic, Cebu Republic, Mindanao Republic and so forth by these self-serving politicians. Pretty soon Nardong Putik is also going to establish his own republic followed by Waway’s republic. And then Antonio Sanchez and Romeo Jalosjos are going to instigate a movement of their own so they can go out of Muntinlupa (sa loob) not sa labas. Then residents of Mandaluyong (sa loob) not sa labas, will also start their own republic. This is starting to really get crazy.

hehehe ... The Philippines could then be the UNITED REPUBLICS .... I guess federalism of government is more appropriate to say rather than slicing the country into different republics .. or worse, make it into another country.

In response to all these news, I am quite pleased to say that people from other parts of the country start to voice their anger over the so-called another plan revolt or impeachment of Arroyo's government. Their announcement I believe is just so timely and appropriate as it is already annoying and disturbing to note that we always succumb to this kind of agenda everytime "we" don't like our government. Do Filipinos back home considers the effect of this plot destabilization that the opposition is trying to make? Are we still sane enough to stage protest amidst the worsening economic situations of our country brought about by corruption and poor attitude of our politicians and countrymen? Why do we always blame our government? Why not start thinking our role and responsibility as a citizen in helping our country to move forward?

Corruption in our government started way back Marcos' time pa ... it's just so sad that the present administration is the one being blamed for for the problem created by previous administrations. We love the drama of politics and economy by asking our government a miracle of a sudden change of our ill situation. I think if Gloria will be given a magic wand to make all of our wishes come true, by all means she will happily do so. Whose leader will be happy to see their constituents or people suffering? I don't think of any, I guess.

The problem with Pimentel and the opposition is their "hearty concern" to improve the quality of life of our people by destabilizing the present government through revolution. Gosh, we have 3 EDSA revolts already ... can we have enough of it? Or do we need 4, 5, 6 or more EDSAs pa? It is such a joke!

Santos: The gains of business in a federal system
By Antonio R. Santos, Sr.
MBC Updates

"There is certainly a great economic force behind this advocacy. Regional disparities with respect to population size, per capita income, administrative capacity and social needs, do not allow for simply solutions."

JUST recently, the President of the Philippines called for the expediency to amend the 1987 Constitution. In the eyes of our President, it is high time that we should be sensible of our country's malady, and, therefore, undertake the necessity of some speedy and powerful remedy. We in the Mindanao business community think that no other alternative is more compelling.

It can be recalled that on September 2004, the pro-active Mindanao business community, through the Mindanao Business Council (MBC), presented the Mindanao Action Agenda to Her Excellency Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo during the 13th Mindanao Business Conference (Minbizcon).

As an expression of support to the present administration, we have collectively committed to the quest for the private sector's important role in the pursuit for just, equitable and lasting peace in the island.

One of the private sector commitments under the Mindanao Action Agenda is the shift to a federal form of government.

To help achieve this goal, the MBC and the local chambers of commerce together with Kusog Mindanaw as the lead non-government organization, commit to pursue local empowerment under a federal set-up through the establishment of the multi-sectoral Mindanao Coalition of Cities for Transparent and Accountable Governance.

There is certainly a great economic force behind this advocacy. Regional disparities with respect to population size, per capita income, administrative capacity and social needs, do not allow for simply solutions. And so it is important thresh out the issue affecting regional development in the context of the proposed reform to a federal state.

Investments and Federalism

In the first place, the new system should give due consideration to sustainable and equitable socio-economic development through the promotion of inter-state and intra-regional cooperation.

Thus, policies on trade and investment will be re-evaluated and planned according to the region's capacity to produce as well as the demand in the local, national and/or international market.

For the business sector, this means an increased concentration on local industries, diversified quality products and greater trade benefits from regional policies.

Consequently, businessmen will have a more conducive and competitive business environment and investors will be able to make investment decisions over the longer-term.

A well-grounded model country that dashed for economic growth is Malaysia. The success of the Malaysian Government is partly because of diversification of its manufacturing base, diversification of its export markets and strengthening of its industrial capabilities.

In particular, Ipoh, which is in the heart of the tin mining region and close to the rice bowl sections of West Malaysia, is served by trading firms specializing in mining and rice farming equipment and supplies.

Businesses specializing in mining and rice farming equipment and supplies and trading centers having countryside marketing facilities are also a significant source of revenue for the locality.

Taxation and federalism

In the second place, a federal form of government results in greater autonomy to revise taxation policies. Since local governments are semi-autonomous entities within the state framework, review of rates is faster and more reflective of the cost of services that a particular region provides.

And even though tax rates in general are linked to a broader political process, a federal system would devise and take into consideration the fairer calculation of rates beneficial to all parties involved within the region.

The right of the federal government to levy taxes shall, as Hamilton puts it, "contain in their own nature a security against excess. They prescribe their own limit, which cannot be exceeded without the end proposed--that is, an extension of the revenue." Following the politico-economic by Brennan and Buchanan (Brennan, Geoffrey and James M. Buchanan [1977]: Towards a Tax Constitution for Leviathan. Journal of Public Economics 8: 255-273) federalism leads to lower tax burden.

The mobile factors that are capital and labor render a mobile tax base in the federal states. This induces the positive force of taxes that matches local situations. Practically, a federal system in relation to taxation translates to savings for investment, which drives economic growth and prosperity.

Simplified bureaucracy

Lastly, the decentralized decision making structure provides greater proximity to the people and forces the governments to be more responsive to its citizens' (the business sector's) preferences).

Economic development is achieved through inter-sectoral dialogue and equitable distribution of wealth that render significant improvements in local infrastructure. There would be more access to local resources, e.g. developing better privileges to local contractors for infrastructure projects.

Also, a direct impact of a strong link between the government and the business sector opens broad spectrum of business support services in an effort to achieve a consolidated approach when represented the viewpoint of private enterprise in its relations with the government.

This would allow the development of small businesses to be competitive with large businesses in any industry. Through direct involvement and community action, we see rapid development and the proliferation of our interests.

With these advantages it can hardly be supposed that the adverse position would have an equal chance for a favorable issue.

MILF Option Sealed
Patricio P. Diaz | MindaNews | 23 June 2005

GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- MILF Chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim, in his speech at the opening of the two-day General Consultation Assembly of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in Darapanan, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao last May 30, viewed the on-going GRP-MILF peace talk with realism. “Peace is partly at hand,” he rightly said. “Partly” was his word of caution.

By that statement, Murad announced the coming of peace. The gate has been opened. Will peace come in? Will it proceed to the sala, take a seat, and be the honored guest at the thanksgiving dinner?

The cautious statement was consistent with the MILF political position he announced in that speech. The MILF will not accept autonomy as a political settlement of the Mindanao conflict. As chairman, he sealed the MILF option. Peace is keenly watching. It may walk in or away.

Options Left

In ruling out autonomy, the MILF has only four options in negotiating a political settlement: federal state, commonwealth, association of free states and independence. These are its options. Autonomy is the option of the government and, so far as known, its only option.

Autonomy is the easiest to negotiate since it is already being offered by the government. It is provided in the 1987 Constitution. The government cannot disregard the Constitution in the negotiation.

Of the four MILF options, independence is a no-option to the government. Congress now will never pass an act granting independence to Muslim Mindanao; neither will the majority of the Filipinos. Only by winning a war of cessation, with the sanction of the United Nations, can Muslim Mindanao be independent.

I am not very familiar with “association of free states.” I could only surmise that by this Muslim Mindanao will be a “free state” or independent but will remain a protectorate of the Philippine republic. Should this be the case, obtaining the “free state” status will be normally as impossible as independence.

On obtaining the commonwealth status, a country or nation is free to conduct its own government but it retains allegiance to the mother country. That was what happened when the Philippines became a commonwealth in 1935 to 1945.

The British Empire became a Commonwealth of Nations and the Queen of England still enjoys recognition in some of the former colonies. These countries hold regularly the Commonwealth Games, the athletic competitions among the former colonies together with Great Britain.

I don’t know how each of the former colonies relates with Great Britain and the Queen. But this I know. In the case of Singapore, the decisions of its Supreme Court can be appealed to the highest court in London. In the case of Australia, a few years back, there was a move to replace the governor-general appointed by the Queen with an elected president.

I foresee the strong opposition of the Philippine government should the MILF present the commonwealth option. In reality, commonwealth is just one step to absolute independence if the country is not there yet. Malaysia is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations but I don’t think Great Britain has any say in its government. So is India.

Federal statehood is closest to autonomy. In fact, autonomy is the core principle of federal statehood. Both the federal state (US model) and autonomy (Philippine model) enjoy self-government but the federal state has the sovereignty not enjoyed by the autonomy.

Each US federal state has a constitution as the Muslim autonomy has its organic act. But the relation between any US state and the Federal Government is strictly defined, limited and exercised zealously, if not jealously guarded, by the states. Not so in the case of the Muslim autonomy and the Philippine government.

However, at present, the Philippine Constitution has first to be amended to change the unitary form of our government to the federal before the Muslims can be established into a federal state. The on-going RP-MILF peace talk cannot amend the 1987 Constitution.

Practical

At present, autonomy is the most practical option. Not the autonomy that Manila is only willing to give; but the autonomy that the Moros want and Manila must give. Not show-piece autonomy; but autonomy that will work for the Moros to realize their aspirations; not autonomous region but autonomous state. The MILF should not repeat the MNLF’s mistakes.

The MNLF negotiators in Jakarta played into the hands of the GRP negotiators and President Fidel V. Ramos. First, I don’t think the MNLF had studied well their options and positions. Second, it appeared that the MNLF panel was Misuari-centered, not objective-centered or focused on what the MNLF really wanted tot get.

Misuari’s oft-repeated and initial hard stand was “Tripoli Agreement or nothing.” But the 1996 FPA showed that more that 90 percent of its substantive provisions were mere rehash of R.A. 6734 that Misuari had rejected vehemently as term reference. Ancestral domain was forgotten.

Misuari was tempestuous and easily offended when displeased but he was euphoric when pleased. I think Gen. Manuel Yan and President Ramos and their advisers exploited these traits. The consequences bear this out.

And, one more fault of the MNLF panel. They failed to anticipate what Congress might do with the 1996 FPA in amending R.A. 6734. As it happened, the members of Congress left out the provisions they did not like, modified the others and inserted provisions not in the FPA.

The MILF has the right, and is right, in rejecting the autonomy that is the ARMM. But I don’t understand why it should reject autonomy as an option in negotiating the political settlement. The ARMM is just a show-piece autonomy. The MILF should negotiate for real autonomy -- the autonomy that will work to make the Bangsamoro people realize their aspirations.

The autonomy that will work is the one that will satisfy the MILF’s concept of self-government. I think, unlike the MNLF, the MILF has negotiating and support panels that have been doing their homework very seriously and well. And, the panels appear MILF-centered, that is, centered on what the MILF wants -- not chairman-centered although not ignoring the authority of the Chairman.

More

Since the GRP panel will not abandon the 1987 Constitution, autonomy is easier to negotiate than any of the four other options. However, it must be provided that should the Constitution be amended to adopt the federal system, the Muslim autonomous state -- not region -- should become a federal state with a safeguard that it should not be merged with Christian provinces to lose its Muslim majority and identity.

Whatever be the option, the MNLF factor cannot be ignored. Muslim Mindanao is the only area for the Muslim state envisioned by the MILF. And it’s now under MNLF control by virtue of the 1996 Final Peace Agreement. What arrangement can the MNLF and the MILF have?

Murad has a beautiful line in his speech, “We may be carrying individual and different names as an organization, but the reality … is that the MILF and the MNLF are like two streams that empty in one and the same converging point, namely, cause of Islam and the Bangsamoro people.”

Yes, like Rio Grande by Cotabato City and Tamontaka River, both emptying into Moro Gulf. However, they are not separate, but separated rivers. They are one Paidu Pulangi splitting below Datu Piang, like the once one MNLF splitting in 1978.

A reverse imagery will serve best the Muslim cause -- the two streams merging in one bed and one name; or, the MILF and MNLF reuniting to bear one name and to focus on attaining the Moro aspirations.

if we'll have Fidel Ramos' way, we might see an earlier-than-expected change of government.

------------------------------

Ramos for swift Charter revision

By Teresa Cerojano, Associated Press Writer

Former President Fidel Ramos on Thursday urged a swift revision of the Constitution to pave the way for a parliamentary government and new elections as a way out of a crisis threatening the Arroyo administration.

“It is a graceful exit option” for Mrs. Arroyo, Ramos said.

The President is facing growing calls for her resignation since her admission that she talked to an election official about ensuring a million-vote victory margin during the May 2004 ballot. She apologized for a “lapse in judgment,” but denied influencing the outcome of the vote and dismissed opposition calls to step down.

Ramos has been supporting Mrs. Arroyo throughout her presidency and his comments are a further sign that her political base is eroding.

Ramos proposed creating a seven-member “high commission” to prepare proposals for a new Constitution, which Congress would then draft and put to a plebiscite by next February, followed by elections in May.

“My humble proposal is not for the President to resign, not for a snap election, not for a junta, not for a military coup, not for an authoritative democracy, not for martial law, not for a communist takeover,” he told the Rotary Club of Manila.

“Whether legal or illegal, constitutional or unconstitutional, none of these [solutions] will serve us in the long run, because they are bound to fail sooner or later,” he said.

Ramos said the highest priority was to change the form of government because the US-style presidential system has not worked in the Philippines.

He has been calling for constitutional change and a shift to a parliamentary system since he served as president in 1992-98. Mrs. Arroyo herself has made the transition a priority of her presidency, but has set no timetable for it.

“For this nation to survive, everybody must make sacrifices, and some will have to make bigger ones and some smaller ones,” Ramos said, alluding to Mrs. Arroyo and Vice President Noli de Castro, whose terms end in 2010.

source

On Parliamentary Form of Government

If the Philippines were to shift to a parliamentary form of government, will there still be a a figurehead president or head of state and a prime minister who is the head of government or pure parliamentary form with the legislative body also doing executive functions?

On Federalism

I have not been following the discussions on the clamor for federalism but I have other questions on this aside from the economics and taxation aspects. In the proposed federalism, what is the implication on territoriality of criminal laws? Will each region/state have their own penal code and systems like in the US? How will this affect enforcement of criminal laws? Does it mean that an accused or criminal can seek asylum in another state/region to escape imprisonement or penalty from crime? Does it mean that each state/region needs to have an extradition agreement with another state/region for the return of a fugitive to have jurisdiction over him? Does it mean that one state may legalize a certain act which is illegal in another state (e.g. marijuana use, polygamy, etc.)? Or will Philippines still have the current Revised Penal Code based on the Spanish Codigo Penal?

Also on the taxation side, will federalism do away with federal taxes and just impose state taxes? (I think not.) In the US, we pay federal, state and municipal taxes as well as sales tax and other taxes. It can get really expensive to an average working individual. I'm also wary of the implications of federalism that might further divide the country.

All these changes have concommitant effects and ramifications that need to be carefully weighed and considered.

Some mayors and governors from Luzon and Mindanao are warning the critics that should they succeed in ousting the President illegally, they would establish their own separate republics. I am not taking this seriously but if this will happen I hope that the Airport in Cebu will allow me to come home as a citizen of the Republic of Visayas. I also pray that this will not end up like the Korea’s in 1950s’.

Anyway, it's good to know that while there’s crisis in Manila, our governors in Visayas are united in pushing a mega bridge project. Luzon has LRT, SLEX and NLEX, while Mindanao leaders plan to have modern railways to connect their major cities. This “Friendship Bridges’, that will connect the islands of Bohol, Cebu, Negros, Guimaras and Panay, is a Visayan dream that if materialized is something every Filipino should be proud of.

The crisis in Manila may serve as a “blessing in disguise” that may lead to immediate constitutional reforms. To change the system that is not suited to our way of life, the system that caused divisiveness, illness to our society, disrespect and downgrade to some of our fellow citizens. The President should work double time for the needed reforms and I hope our governors would support for the establishment of “Federal State of Visayas”. The state will compose the Visayas islands and Palawan.

On Parliamentary Form of Government

If the Philippines were to shift to a parliamentary form of government, will there still be a a figurehead president or head of state and a prime minister who is the head of government or pure parliamentary form with the legislative body also doing executive functions?

On Federalism

I have not been following the discussions on the clamor for federalism but I have other questions on this aside from the economics and taxation aspects. In the proposed federalism, what is the implication on territoriality of criminal laws? Will each region/state have their own penal code and systems like in the US? How will this affect enforcement of criminal laws? Does it mean that an accused or criminal can seek asylum in another state/region to escape imprisonement or penalty from crime? Does it mean that each state/region needs to have an extradition agreement with another state/region for the return of a fugitive to have jurisdiction over him? Does it mean that one state may legalize a certain act which is illegal in another state (e.g. marijuana use, polygamy, etc.)? Or will Philippines still have the current Revised Penal Code based on the Spanish Codigo Penal?

Also on the taxation side, will federalism do away with federal taxes and just impose state taxes? (I think not.) In the US, we pay federal, state and municipal taxes as well as sales tax and other taxes. It can get really expensive to an average working individual. I'm also wary of the implications of federalism that might further divide the country.

All these changes have concommitant effects and ramifications that need to be carefully weighed and considered.

ate lili, i believe the proposal is to have a head of state (President) and a head of government (prime minister)

if you haven't read yet, there's a paper written by Jose Abueva entitled "Towards a Federal Republic of the Philippines". here is the link (http://www.ibp.org.ph/mainframe/pdf_file/JournalXXII_part1.pdf#search='federal%20republic%20of%20the%20philippines') . it's quite long, 150 pages. im reading it right now, nasa page 17 pa lang ako haha! i think it's pretty much updated compared to the one i've read before. but im sure it will answer some, if not all, of your questions :)

happy reading :colgate:

edit: sorry, i guess there are other papers included in that pdf file that's why it's showing 150 pages. the article of Abueva about federalism is only 30 pages long.

The official site of the "Citizens Movement for Federal Philippines".

http://www.cmfp.ph/articles.html

The official site of the "Citizens Movement for Federal Philippines".

http://www.cmfp.ph/articles.html

thanks jimbu :D

Countries with Federal System:

http://www.cmfp.ph/articlespdf/clairecarlos1.pdf

Investors back shift to parliamentary
By Zinnia De La Peña
The Philippine Star 07/11/2005

Foreign fund managers and equity investors are backing the proposal to shift to a parliamentary form of government, Philippine Stock Exchange chairman Peter Favila said yesterday.

Favila, President Arroyo’s adviser for infrastructure financing, said he has received a lot of calls from foreign institutional investors expressing support for change to a parliamentary system in the Philippines.

"We’ve seen the worst of this political crisis over the last 48 hours but more recent developments have turned the tide. From my discussions with various foreign fund managers and equity investors who asked for my views on the issue, I gathered that the ruling party solidly rallying behind the administration as well as (Mrs.) Arroyo’s indication of strong support to the suggestion to shift to parliamentary and to do it expeditiously, sent a positive signal to them," he said.

Favila said foreign fund managers who have placed the Philippines as a possible investment destination "before all these happened" share his observation that "a rationalization of government structure is what is needed to effect real change in the country."

Should the government push through with the shift from the United States-style presidential system to a parliamentary form of government, Favila said he is "optimistic that our financial markets will go back to their underlying levels shortly."

Last Friday, former President Fidel Ramos called for a swift revision of the Constitution to pave the way for a parliamentary form of government and new elections within the next 10 months as a way out of a crisis threatening the Arroyo administration.

Ramos has been calling for constitutional change and a shift to a parliamentary form of government since he served as president in 1992 to 1998. Mrs. Arroyo herself has made the transition a priority of her presidency, but no timetable has been set.

It is argued that the parliamentary system, with a prime minister chosen from among the ranks of the parties with the most seats in the legislature, would provide a more flexible and responsive mode of authority and would avoid the current danger of gridlock.

Introduction of federalism has also been advocated in order to help improve the poorer regions’ access to resources.

Although it is not yet clear if the proposal to shift to a parliamentary system has strong support among lawmakers, the President is widely expected to push for the shift.

An analyst at a local brokerage house, however, said there is uncertainty about whether such a change would actually be an improvement.

He argued that the Philippines may not be suited to a parliamentary system since it has a weak party system with little voting discipline within either chamber of Congress, where members and senators frequently shift allegiances to seek power and patronage.

Commenting on the decision of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) not to demand Mrs. Arroyo’s resignation, First Grade Holdings managing director Astro del Castillo said this was a welcome development and would certainly improve the situation.

"The CBCP’s decision has somewhat unburdened the President. The CBCP is one of the biggest and most influential organizations in the country. With the CBCP’s decision, we hope that organizations would tone down calls for (her) resignation. We hope that we could really move forward and just focus on keeping the economy on track," he said.

The Roman Catholic Church has played a key role in the ouster of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos in 1986 and then President Joseph Estrada in 2001.

However, Del Castillo said uncertainties on the political front remain, since the opposition is bent on easing Mrs. Arroyo out of the presidency.

"The tug of war remains. Uncertainties will continue. There are still mounting challenges in front of us like the implementation of the expanded value-added tax law and the continued upsurge of oil prices," he said.

Mrs. Arroyo, whose term runs until 2010, faces allegations that

she tried to influence the vote count in last year’s presidential election and that members of her family took kickbacks from illegal gambling.

She has apologized for talking to an election official last year while the presidential vote was being counted, but has denied any wrongdoing.

I hope federalization would move forward... I don't want to see the country to be divided into different republics... because eventhough we have a degrading political system, we are all still Filipinos... and I think there is still hope...

Pretty soon there will lots of republic. Republic of Matudnila or Pobreng Alindahaw, Republic of Dandansoy, Republic of Sarong Bangi, Republic of Manang Biday, Republic of Ati Cu Pung Singsing and Waray Waray Republic.

Pretty soon there will lots of republic. Republic of Matudnila or Pobreng Alindahaw, Republic of Dandansoy, Republic of Sarong Bangi, Republic of Manang Biday, Republic of Ati Cu Pung Singsing and Waray Waray Republic.

:hilarious It's nice to see that some people still have a sense of humor amidst the turmoil that is happening in the Philippines right now. :okay:

Pretty soon there will lots of republic. Republic of Matudnila or Pobreng Alindahaw, Republic of Dandansoy, Republic of Sarong Bangi, Republic of Manang Biday, Republic of Ati Cu Pung Singsing and Waray Waray Republic.

Blame it to centrist "imperial Manila" the republic of demo-crazy.

EXPERIENTIAL BITTERNESS UNDER THE IMPERIAL MANILA
I. INTRODUCTION
While writing this piece there was the initial temptation to make this scholarly with
graphs, legalese and historical tidbits. But that was deliberately resisted because
Federalism is already appealing to the Mindanao intellectuals. We need not sound like
some pundits to campaign for Federalism because the idea is plainly advantageous to
provincial interest. What Federalism requires is mass appeal. It needs something to
arouse the interests of many who find intellectualism as a boring profundity, cold
circuitry or a dose of dialectics, aside from being plain “hard work”.
Profundity and hard work are alienating the masses from the Federalism cause.
Federalism is not really that hard and difficult. The simple reason why we make
Federalism our proposition is simply the bad experience we have under the present
system of government.
The mathematics of Federalism is simply this: Plus for the provinces is minus for the
Manila government. What we get for the states we take is from Central Manila. In the
long run this deduction and addition will add up and multiply greatly for the benefit of
the whole country. But first we need to state what our people feel under the present
system. Samplings of pluses and minuses are what are written in this piece. Oversimplication
and aggravation is intended to make this mass appealing, if not incendiary.
II. The Brief Bitter-Sweet Story
Growth and development of the provinces in the Philippines depends on the style and
character of the Manila leadership. The style and character affects directly the provinces
because the present political structure and systems allow it to be so. There is no barrier
or cushion for the smile or frown of a Manilan in making others parts of the country sad
or happy. So far the experience has always been sweet for Manila but bitter for the
provinces. Really good for Manila but not so good for Luzon provinces, bad for Visayas
and worse for Mindanao.
The Marcosian Rule was so far the scariest and ugliest experience. It was a deterioration
of the Philippine democracy at its worst: Centralization in dictatorial form! The locus of
growth depends on the interest of the Marcoses. Ilocandia and Leyte became starts in the
growth race. The rest of the country barely survived in the oppression.
The Cory government was yellow. It raised bright expectations but plead with
frustrations. Power and interest used to be centralized around Marcos, were shifted back
to the elite around Cory. For Marcos Mindanao was the fertile ground for springing up
martial law. For Cory it was a blackhole to stuck profits for Manila based businesses.
Ramos leveled the playing field. The un-equal fight under the same rule. The poverty and
labor of the Third World versus the power and technology of the tandem EU and USA
are equal in a globalizing economy. Tyson versus Pacquiao in a boxing mis- match of the
century. Mindanao is an equal partner in a system favoring Manila.
The ERAPan period was comic. The form was unchanged but the character did. It was
funny that the systems could be played and scored around POGI (person opinion and
gambling interests) points. Manila or Mindanao is not the real concern. It was the pogi
Erap that matters. It was like having a child for a king and the Cabinet focused on
pleasing the child-king with lollipops. The lollipops were bought out of provincial
jueteng and masiao hawl.
Government is sweet when it serves best. Our present system is sweet only for Manilans
but bitter for Mindanaoans. Probably, for us here in the south nothing has really changed
in relation to central Manila government. A twisted kind of “bottom- up and trickledown”
is the practice. This means that resources from Mindanao go up but the attention
of Manila leadership merely trickles down. They get our resources but trickled us with
promises. Among the practices which drained Mindanao or place the provinces at
disadvantage are:
1) Money for Manila; 2)The Torture in Having to Please Manilans; 3) Unnecessary
and Damaging Delay; 4) Remote-transparency and Front-
Accountability; 5) Detached-Involvement; 6) Centralized Authority, Not
People Empowerment; 7) Consequent Dependency Than Depended On.
1. THE MANILA –BOUND MONEY
We know that governments, business and churches are Manila-based. A portion of any
amount we pay to buy for any item goes to Manila. A deposit in the bank goes to the
bank owner in Manila. An offering in the church goes to the church leaders in Manila.
Everything goes to Manila.
Because our money is in Manila, our beautiful women go to Manila, our brilliant men go
to Manila, and our best products go to Manila. We are left with less money, the less
beautiful, and the less brilliant and have factory defects or rejects for our consumption.
One glaring example of this one-way traffic flow of money to Manila is the travel cost of
our local leaders in business and government.
a. The Cost of Local Executives’ Travel
Let me start with a conservative but experientially valid assumption: 50 of the 78
provincial governors, 50 of the 80 city mayors and 100 of the 1500 municipal
mayors travel to Metro-Manila at lest ones a month. Their business may range
from the personal to the official which in reality and practice are naturally and
inextricably mixed.
For every travel a governor and a city mayor will spend an average of not less
than 25T a month or for 100 governors and city mayors a total of at least P2.5M a
month or P30M a year. A municipal mayor will spend not less than P15T a
month per travel or P15M a month for 1000 mayors or P180M a year. In other
words, at the most conservative estimate these local executives will incur a total
of P210M for official business in Central Manila.
b. The Cost of Line Agencies’ Travel
There are 12 government agencies with provincial offices or their equivalent.
Each of the provincial offices has probably more than 2 officers who travel ones a
month to Manila. For a conservative assumption the travel costs of 2 officers for
12 agencies in 75 provinces will be about P216M for one year. For regional
offices the travel costs will be about P90M for a minimum of 5 officers who
travel monthly for each region. Or a total of about P300M annually for both
provincial and regional offices.
c. The Costs of Personal Travel for Businessmen
Again at a very conservative estimate we will place at 100 business people having
official business in the central government offices of Manila for every province.
These 100 businessmen travel to Manila at lest ones a month. At an average
travel expense of P20T per businessman the total costs will be about P2B.
d. Implications
The total cost of travel for the government and business executives will be about
P2.5B a year. Equated with the cost of road construction at P1M per kilometer
the amount could mean 2,500 km of new roads annually or at P20T per hectare it
could mean 125,000 hectares of reforested land or 250,000 hectares of riceland at
P10T per hectare.
Annually our local leaders will take P2.5 billion to Metro-Manila for travelling
costs alone. This means that they drain each of the 78 provinces with development
funds worth more than P30M yearly. The IRA share given under the present
Local government Code is almost meaningless when compared with this forced
bleeding of local resources.
2. THE TORTURE OF PLEASING MANILANS
Mindanaoans suffer a roller-coaster of emotions in an efforts to access funds, get
attention or promotions from Manila leaders.
One very sad story was that of a young beautiful wife who went to Manila to follow up at
PAG-IBIG the benefits of her dead husband. She stayed with a friend to follow up the
endless requirements. The costs of her follow up exceeded what she finally got. She was
even impregnated by a married man who helped her in her efforts. She came home totally
without money but with a fatherless baby. Credit it to her stupidity or the helplessness in
being a stranger in a strange concrete jungle.
When a Manilan comes to the province he or she is treated as a prince or princess. If he
is a dissatisfied with the attention given, woe to the provinciano or provinciana who will
someday inescapably visit Manila for official business.
Manilans go to the provinces with orders, memos or forms for more work. Provincianos
will come to Manila with gifts and greetings. Otherwise he or she will come home empty.
News from Manila on the updates of some requests could end the provincianos high or
reeling in tidal of emotions. In a moment bursting in white-like bubbles of excitement
then seconds later crushed with a ton- load of bad news. Often the waiting is unnecessary
and damaging.
3. UN-NECESSARY AND DAMAGING DELAY
The provinces are made to plan and set targets. We are made to commit to the people for
some projects. But Manilans approve or disapprove our plans, targets and commitments.
The damage is not only on our honor; the damage is most often real, quantifiable and
tangible. Season for planting are not met, specifications and budget fall short, frustrations
transformed into insurgency or rebellion.
Most often the reason for delay is the failure to meet the SOP. The disapproval based on
belonging to the wrong party. Or misplaced or lost of document which could not be found
in the long trail from the province to Manila.
Centralization pile up documents on documents. The voluminous load is often made the
excuse for the delay. And always only the rule of “kuot” or “oil” can work through the
loads of work. But why do they refuse to unclog by decentralizing, by federalism?
Because it would mean that opportunity for juicy transactions will be reduced or
decentralized.
For Manilans the delay is bearable with the opportunity. For Mindanaoans the delay is
both un-bearable and lost of opportunity. Consequently we have intoxicating urbanization
and massive rural poverty.
4. REMOTE-TRANSPARENCY AND FRONT-ACCOUNTABILITY
Having a federal system will have real transparency. The approving authority will be
within the range of vision of the people. Under the present system Manila is clouded by
remoteness. Accountability is reposed in the provincial leaders who will have to suffer
and lie to protect the image of Manila leaders. The provinces are the front in the
bureaucratic lie emanating from Manila. Maybe, Manila or the provinces are liars all and
small or big they are still. But why not break lies with state separation, check the lies
with federalism?
5. DETACHED INVOLVEMENT
One very sad experience of the people from the island provinces was the deprivation of
the opportunity to become a hero. The making of People Power 1 and 2 was not the
monopoly of Manilans. But our archipelagic republic make it seem a heroism of
Manilans because our people’s involvement cannot be made direct by the separation of
the islands. Leaders of Manila have easier task of making a name compared to the leaders
of the provinces who will have to depend on the appointing authority of Manila leaders.
Consultation has limitations. One foreign funded project conducted a nation-wide
consultations to be able to package poverty needs and make it attractive for the donors or
lenders of development funds. But after they get the money most of the projects approved
and funded are those in the Luzon provinces because the consultants and officers of the
Project are relatives or have connections with people of Luzon and Manila. The poorer
areas of southern Philippines are used to attract investors but the investments are
delivered to the northern parts because of connections. Mindanaoans are involved in the
consultations but are detached in the implementation. Conscious efforts to correct this
leaning cannot prevail against the un-conscious and natural tendency to favor places of
birth or origin.
6. CENTRALIZED AUTHORITY, NOT PEOPLE EMPOWERMENT
Realization of people empowerment goals is restrained by the present centralized system.
The local government code was one step towards people empowerment. The next step
should be federalism. Certainly no one in his right mind will think federalism as a barrier
to people empowerment. But this correct view is often clouded by cupidity of the Manila
leaders who do not want to delegate authority and share opportunities with state leaders.
7. CONSEQUENT DEPENDENCY THAN DEPENDED-ON
The obvious and logical consequence of centralization is dependency. Rather than
depended on with a sense of ones own direction and vision, the planning is directed, the
goals become predetermined and often they served the interests of the North than its own.
We become producers of what they want than what we want, we become their workers
than our workers. In politics we are simply voters, not leaders.
The irony of this dependency id that Mindanao has the resources to be independent. Only
the sense that fragmentation into smaller countries is a backward move makes
independence and separation undesirable. The normal way is for countries to expand not
contract. But if we are to preserve our integrity as a nation we must preserve it with
dependable and federated states.
II. CONCLUSION
To physically reverse the flow from the North to the South is almost impossible and unrealistic.
If it is attainable, it will not be correcting the situation but committing the same
mistake in a reverse fashion. The South will then be guilty of what the North is
committing. Besides we will need the power, the population size, the quality, the beauty,
the brilliance and the resources of New York or any bigger city than Metro-Manila to
reverse the situation, reversed the flow of money from Manila to Mindanao.
But the present drain of resources, capital and talents from Mindanao to Manila or from
the Philippines abroad can be minimized or managed. Knowing what to do is easy but
Federalism is against the immediate political and economic interest of Manila leaders
except Manilans who have greater and long term interest for the Philippines.

Shift to parliamentary
system to boost economy

By Darwin G. Amojelar, Researcher

SHIFTING to a parliamentary system of government will dramatically improve the economy, economists from the University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P) said.

Bernardo M. Villegas, UA&P senior vice president, said the parliamentary system would boost the economy since there would be closer coordination between Congress and the Executive. “This would speed up the legislation needed for fiscal reforms, and revenue measures because you do not have the Senate always contradicting the Lower House,” Villegas said in an interview with reporters.

Parliamentary government is a system of government in which the Cabinet is appointed from among elected members of an assembly. The Cabinet holds power, but in order for it to remain in power, its major decisions must be supported by a majority in the assembly, who, in turn, are elected.

Villegas noted that the country’s economy would likely meet the government’s target of a 7-percent to 8-percent growth in the next three to five years if a shift to a parliamentary government will be taken in the next 12 months.

Under the Medium-Term Philippine Development Plan, the government expects to grow the gross domestic product this year by 5.3 percent to 6.3 percent and 7 percent to 8 percent by 2010. The country’s GDP grew 6.1 percent last year, the highest in 15 years.

Villegas and some UA&P faculty expressed support for the proposal of former President Fidel V. Ramos to replace the presidential system by amending the 1987 Constitution. Villegas was one of the representatives to the constitutional convention that drafted the Charter in 1987.

Ramos had proposed that Congress should sit as a constituent assembly to change the Constitution in the next 12 months. The amended Charter would then be submitted for a plebiscite in March for implementation by June 2006.

Roland Dy, UA&P economist, agreed with Villegas saying that parliamentary government has significant benefits.

“With the present system, there is so many barriers in the process you cannot sustain good projects to create more employment in the countryside,” Dy said.

Meanwhile, Villegas remained confident that President Arroyo will not resign.

However, he believed that the ‘graceful exit’ scenario that Ramos suggested for President Arroyo is the best solution.

“If we have a political system that is in synch with our desire to change leaders more frequently than some of us would want, then given the parliamentary form, even if we change every six months, or every month just to exaggerate, the outsiders will still see that as very much part of the parliamentary process,” Villegas added.

THE NEW REPUBLICS
Sunday, July 10, 2005

There's a new reason why President Arroyo should not be forced to step down, either by resignation, coup or a monstrous people-power demo. If the opposition succeeds, the governors and their mayors will withdraw their regions and provinces from the Republic of the Philippines.

Secession has become a mantra from Northern Luzon to the hinterlands of Mindanao. As far as the governors are concerned, the political crisis in Metro Manila is the creation of the imperialist Manila politicians. Only the blasé Makati crowd and their kin in the neighboring towns and cities are making all that noise about Mrs. Arroyo being corrupt.

None of the tumult matters to the promdi’s. The provincianos have nothing to do with Metro Manila politics. Bossy Manila has ruled the nation long enough, has dictated the national agenda with insensitivity to the regions. To hell with the corrupt politicians, socialite revolutionaries and demonstrator mercenaries.

Listen to Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singson. “We will come out with an Ilocos autonomous region to protect our own constituents,” he told a rally two Wednesdays ago. Boasted his cousin Rep. Eric Singson: “We can take care of our peace and order and our own economy.”

In Mindanao, Mayor Rodrigo Duterte of Davao City said Metro Manila had better think twice before ousting the President “because we Mindanaoans are prepared to sever ties with you and come up with our own Mindanao Republic. We already have a flag in case of any eventuality.”

Governors in the Bicol region and the Visayas have aired similar threats.

Of course the Cebuanos have long dreamed of establishing their own republic long before Mrs. Arroyo. The Moro National Liberation Front wanted a separate Bangsa Moro but settled for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

The Cordillerans are working hard at creating their own autonomous region. The communist New People’s Army has the third biggest army in the country, its own BIR, people’s courts and Ambassador Joma Sison running its foreign office in the Netherlands.

Forbes Park has long established its own republic. Dasmariñas Village requires visitors to apply for a visa before they could enter the place. Ayala Alabang has effectively isolated itself with the onerous toll rates on the Southern Luzon Expressways. Defense forces man entrances to Corinthian Gardens, Bel Air and San Lorenzo to keep intruders out.

Preparations for nationhood are under way. Cebu, which gave Mrs. Arroyo a million-plus majority, is building a new Malacañang Palace.

On Sunday Mayor Duterte played the “national anthem” and displayed the flag of the proposed Mindanao Republic at a public plaza.

The Ilocos region (to be renamed Ilocoslovakia at the United Nations) is developing the Laoag domestic terminal into a first-class international airport.

Bicol, to boost tourism, is building a giant replica of Mayon in every province, with the slogan, the “volcano with the perfect clone.”

What other region or province may secede if we install a military junta or a politburo? Pampanga might federate with the Capampangan-speaking parts of Tarlac and Nueva Ecija.

Bulacan, which supplies Metro Manila’s water supply, may apply for membership in the UN. Rizal, which has lost 12 of its 24 towns to the MMDA, may seek protection with membership in the General Assembly.

Regions with memorable acronyms may wish to perpetuate their character in the UN. In the future, we could have a Republic of MIMAROPA or the Principality of CAMANAVA. The Federation of CARAGA will be competing with the Republic of CALABARZON. Don’t forget the Kingdom of SOCSARGEN.

The message of the governors is clear: touch GMA and the country will shrink to a pocket-size MMDA. The country’s loss will be the UN’s gain.

:colgate:

Ang masasabi ko lang, marami dyan sa mga local politicians and governors na yan ay mga feudal overlords. Kahit magtayo sila ng sarili nilang republic, kahit may kanya-kanya silang capitals, dun din mag-ra-rally ang mga tao kung panay corruption pa rin, that is, kung makapag-ra-rally sila. Baka ma desaparacidos lang sila.

Cebu will be capital of Visayas Republic
By Charmaine Y. Rodriguez
Sun.Star Staff Reporter

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/ceb/2005/07/15/article_138700_july15.jpg

Governors from the Visayas are out to prove that they are serious in their proposal to secede if President Arroyo is removed through extra-legal means.

They began their work yesterday by creating two teams to assess the country’s situation and to study the planned Visayas Republic.

Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia said Cebu is being eyed to be the capital of the proposed state, but she refused to answer whether she is also being considered to head the republic.

The Visayas leaders, who reiterated yesterday their statement of support for President Arroyo, also refused to say if they will make Arroyo the president of the proposed republic.

“I would not want to second guess the President,” Garcia told reporters.

“We are just trying to send a message that we are not fence-sitting and we won’t let events overtake us. We are proactive and we are closely watching,” she said.

“V” sign

After a close-door meeting that lasted over two hours, the 16 governors, vice governors, provincial board members and mayors flashed a “V” sign to media members shouting “Visayas Republic” as they stood against a streamer that read “Manila is not the Philippines.”

Visayas can survive on its own but the Constitution must be scrapped before a Visayas Republic can be made, said PB Member Antonio Almirante, a lawyer who also heads the committee on laws.

He explained that there is a provision in the Constitution that the Philippines is one country. That means making a Visayas Republic can be unconstitutional.

The Gloria Step Down Movement, in a press conference, said the plan is “seditious and a form of blackmail.”

Lawyer Kit Enriquez described the plan as a “hypocritical action of traditional politicians.”

“This move only shows that these people do not love the country, because if they do, they will not exchange the country’s integrity for a President who is not capable of running the country,” Bayan Central Visayas chairman Paul Rodriguez said.

Study

A technical working group, headed by Central Visayas Regional Development Council chairman and Oriental Negros Gov. George Arnaiz, is set to start next week a study of the different forms of government suited for the Visayas regions and to look into the legal, economic and other possible problems that might arise with the separation of the Visayas from the rest of the country.

Former Cebu governor Pablo Garcia, League of Cities of the Philippines president and Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas, Eastern Samar Gov. Ben Evardone, Siquijor Gov. Orlando Fua, and Biliran Mayor Rogelio Espina will compose the team, which might consider making Cebu as the Visayas Republic’s seat of power.

In her welcome address during the gathering at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel past 10 a.m. yesterday, Governor Garcia said they have come together to make a collective stand and not to let the few in Metro Manila, referring to anti-Arroyo groups that converged in a rally in Makati City last Thursday, dictate the future of the country.

Summit

Bohol Gov. Erico Aumentado yesterday said the first technical working group will study the proposed republic and its viability with the region’s economy and existing infrastructure.

A second group will organize the Visayas leaders and businessmen’s socio-economic and political summit on Aug. 11. to “adopt and implement a comprehensive and integrated development plan to uplift the life of the people in the Visayas region.”

The group for the summit will be headed by Governor Garcia, with the chairpersons of the Regional Development Councils of Regions 6, 7 and 8 as co-organizers. They are Antique Gov. Salvacion Perez, Oriental Negros’ Arnaiz and Gov. Rosette Lerias of Southern Leyte.

During the summit, which will include officials of LGUs, business and religious leaders, and sectoral representatives, the organizers will get a consensus of the stand of the Visayans on the federal system and the proposed changes in the constitution. (With MBG & JGA)

Jimbu, where is Cebu going to get its water when it becomes as big as Manila? Inabanga, I am sure, won't be sufficient. Of course that's assuming Bohol agree to share its water with thirsty Cebu. Agusan River's water surely will only be for Mindanao Republic. Pretty soon, Waray Republic will be complaining that Imperial Cebu is stealing its power from Tongonan. Also with the power from Canlaon. Buglas will start complaining their power are also being stolen to satisfy Imperial Cebu.

That's been the problem in California. The north is always complaining that the south is stealing their water. The south then is accusing the north of stealing their money.

As long as there are two people here on earth, there will always be intrigue. There's got to be compromise.

noli.. I think you're right... I think that there should be compromises to be made before any harsh division is done....

If every region and provinces will secede from the Philippines many people will be divided with their family. Most families in the Philippines has a relative in metro manila and they will be needing to have a tourist visa to enter manila or vice versa. Since most new republic is not part of the ASEAN the entry visa must accomplish...What will happen to the word PHILIPPINES? The philippines will be compose of East Southeast asian nations :D

Aside from Filipinos, soon, there will be Visayans & Mindanaoans in ASEAN & UN should federalism wont push through. Current distribution of wealth is just too inequitable.

PLEASE READ... Interesting articles on federalism:

click here:
Proposal: Federal Republic of the Philippines (http://www.tacdrup.org.ph/topic1.html#proposal)

What the hell is this? Ano na namang kabaliwan yan? I agree to Manila's centralized and imperial status in the country but why do all these governors threat to form their own republics?As if that would be the best solution. Naghahanap talaga ang mga baliw na yan ng gulo! The Philippines is a country with a very long history, at times of turmoil, the more we should support each other and work together to solve the conflicts, these republic proposals show how much our people lack patriotism and national spirit. As is breaking up would make things better! We just have to sum our thoughts together and take things seriously. I am for a parliamentary federal republic all the way. The Philippines is destined and already to be one of the world's naturally richest countries with its abundant natural resources, we should just play our cards right. Why give us the high literacy, the diversity, the beauty, the ideal setting, the natural riches and still refuse progress, prosperity and a stable economy? Haven't they ever thought of that. The country should not break apart, this is the time to prove that we can stand together in hard times. It would be a shame and a waste if this great country falls apart. We should be playing our cards right. Our people really do not deserve all this poverty due to unmoral politics.

amen to you thunderflip....

I agree on that... that the Philippines is one... we may be divided in beliefs andopinions but we are still one nation of Filipinos.... I agree that these politicians who gave threats of separating as an independent nation show lack of patriotism and national pride...

I've read somewhere or here (yata) or have heard in a news program wherein I think it was Ping Lacson who said it (I might be mistaken) that if they persist without waiting for a constitutional change.. their acts would be un-constitutional and are seditious....

I am for one united Philippines under federalism. But several uparising na kasi ang nadaanan & its all the same. No favorable effects on our country. During elections, todo-kampanya mga politiko dito sa Mindanao. But kapag natalo, they claim dinaya sila sa Mindanao. Mindanao "silently" contributed a lot in the Philippine economy in terms of agricuture both local & exports but it seems nobody cared for Mindanao except Mindanaoans. Mindanao do have valid reasons to separate. History will tell us. Mindanao nga ang last na sumuko under Spanish regime. Separitist movements have been battling the govt since the 70s. In terms of economy, revenues go directly to the National Treasury pero barya lang ang bumabalik. Well, kapag puno na ang salop... it better to separate. For me, there are only 2 choices... Federal Philippines or independent Mindanao.

To other areas like Cagayan Valley & Ilocos. I guess its purely political.

Pero, Im still for one & united Philippines. Separate Mindanao is just an option or plan B kung Philippines would still want to enjoy this demo-CRAZY.

Mindanao leaders: It's Charter change or republic
By Stephen Capillas and Lizanilla J. Amarga
With Maria Irene S. Aserios, Bukidnon correspondent

MALAYBALAY CITY -- More than 1,000 delegates to the "Mindanao Convention for Alternative Governance" on Friday signified their support for Charter change ahead of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's State of the Nation Address (Sona) this Monday.

The summit, held for one whole day at the Kaamulan Open Theater, Capitol compound in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon Province, drew in at least 500 officials, including 20 governors and 50 mayors and the rest consisting of vice mayors and councilors in Mindanao.

Participants agreed to transmit their resolutions to Malacañang ahead of the Arroyo's Monday address, which is expected to draw in mass protests nationwide.

Among the resolutions agreed upon by the delegates is the immediate convening of Congress into a constituent assembly to facilitate Charter change. They said they are asking President Arroyo to include this in her address as part of the sentiments of Mindanaoans.

The participants also said they are pushing for a federal-parliamentary form of government.

In a television interview, Bukidnon Governor Jose Maria Zubiri said while he supports a federal Mindanao state he doesn't want to pre-empt other officials.

"The important thing here is that Mindanao officials and groups have gathered here to ventilate their sentiments on the fate of Mindanao and to air these out with the Manila government," he said.

Aside from Charter change, the delegates said they are reserving the right to form an independent Mindanao republic should groups resort to unconstitutional measures to oust President Arroyo.

Local officials in Cagayan de Oro and Misamis Oriental like Mayor Vicente Emano, Opol town Mayor Dixon Yasay, Provincial Board (PB) Members Norris Babiera and Jimmy Caiña and Vice Governor Julio Uy attended the affair.

Also present in the event which is said to be one of the biggest in Mindanao were sectoral officials and representatives of non-government organizations (NGOs) from as far as Basilan, Maguindanao and Tawi-Tawi.

"It's good that we have finally decided to explore other options because Mindanao has given so much and yet kita man ang murag naa sa hindsight sa atong mga national officials," Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte pointed out.

Initial sentiments

North Cotabato Governor Emmanuel Piñol said the time has come for Mindanaoans to show to the entire country that they want peace, continuous growth and development and strengthened ties.

"Enough is enough...if there's a need for us to adopt a new form of government then so be it," he said. Sarangani Provincial Governor Miguel Rene Dominguez, however, questioned the absence of Mindanaoan congressmen.

"It's disappointing. We have to know their stand on whether or not they're with us. However, let's do this first and see how the president will react. She might deliver her response in her Sona (State of the Nation Address) on Monday," he said.

Governor Piñol later suggested that a committee, headed by Bukidnon Governor Jose Ma. R. Zubiri Jr., conduct further studies on which form of government would be best for Mindanao.

As this developed, Zubiri, who acted as overall moderator and convener, also asked the delegates for an initial consensus as to which form of government they prefer and the majority voted for the parliamentary-federal form of government.

Zubiri emphasized, however, that the vote will be treated as mere "initial sentiments" of Mindanaoans. He reiterated the need for further studies.

During the conference, Zubiri also read letters from Mindanao government officials, including one from Daisy Avance-Fuentes, signifying strong support to whatever outcome the conference may yield.

"Therefore, even if there are officials who couldn't make it to (Friday's) activity, we still have written confirmation from them."

The Friday meeting was held at the Kaamulan Open Theater, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon. It held the theme, "Mindanaw non-partisan initiative: Putting into our hands our destiny NOW."

Speakers included Dr. Jose Abueva, chairperson of the National Advisory Board, Citizens movement for a Federal Philippines, One People Mindanaw Spokesman Pantaleon Alvarez and Camiguin Provincial Governor Pedro Romualdo, who spoke about the parliamentary governance option.

Other key persons present during the conference included former Agriculture secretary Cito Lorenzo, noted former parliament member Reuben Canoy and Cotabato City Mayor Muslimin Sema, also the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) secretary. (Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro/Sunnex)

thunderflip: why do all these governors threat to form their own republics?As if that would be the best solution. Naghahanap talaga ang mga baliw na yan ng gulo! The Philippines is a country with a very long history, at times of turmoil, the more we should support each other and work together to solve the conflicts, these republic proposals show how much our people lack patriotism and national spirit.

branding those governors baliw and panggulo doesnt sound right imo. who doesnt want unity anyways? they made it clear that they will secede if President Arroyo is removed through extra-legal means. people rallying in Makati demanding for resignation fits the description of baliw and panggulo. as they always say: MANILA is not the PHILIPPINES. people down south will never think of putting up their own republics if only imperial Manila promotes patriotism and national spirit, not merely ranting on the streets. our country has a very long history and i don't want my future kids having trouble understanding Edsa I II III IV V VI VII in their Phil History class. hehehe :)

Has anybody given thoughts as to what Washington thinks about these rumblings from our regions? Remember Kosovo, Montenegro and Bosnian Serb Republic? They want to secede from Serbia and Bosnia, respectively, and could do so but for Washington’s insistence that they stick with their mother units. The three couldn’t oppose Washington. He just has the power of the purse through the World Bank, IMF and other financial institutions that would be nations surely will have to deal with.

I think the US knows that most of this is again - sound and fury signifying nothing. While the form of government will change , all this talk about republic this republic that is mostly talk.

thunderflip:

branding those governors baliw and panggulo doesnt sound right imo. who doesnt want unity anyways? they made it clear that they will secede if President Arroyo is removed through extra-legal means. people rallying in Makati demanding for resignation fits the description of baliw and panggulo. as they always say: MANILA is not the PHILIPPINES. people down south will never think of putting up their own republics if only imperial Manila promotes patriotism and national spirit, not merely ranting on the streets. our country has a very long history and i don't want my future kids having trouble understanding Edsa I II III IV V VI VII in their Phil History class. hehehe :)
I agree ... Our Governors mean well, they just want to protect their constituents. What we really want is to have GMA as president because we voted for her to be there. If MM wants her out then they just have to conform to the constitution, else we would be forced to break away from the PHILIPPINE constitution ourselves :)

http://www.acountryofourown.com/files/finalmapforwebsite.gif

http://www.acountryofourown.com/files/rasterized.gif
Who Better to Govern Us?

[From Chapter XII]



It is time to remind ourselves what true nationalism really means. It is loyalty to one’s nation, not to his State. It is love of the tongue we speak, not the salute we give to a piece of colored cloth. It is our past, present, and future. It is man’s ageless long-ing for the eternal, says Johann Gottlieb Fichte, that to which the “noble-minded”



entrusts the eternity of himself and his continual influence . . . in which he

places his portion of eternity; he must will its continuance, for it alone is to

him the means by which the short span of his life here below is extended into

continuous life . . . as an internal life is the bond which unites him [with] his

nation . . . This is his love for his people, respecting, trusting, and rejoicing

in it . . . Henceforth the noble-minded man will be active and effective, and

will sacrifice himself for his people . . . In order to save his nation he must be

ready even to die that it may live, and that he may love in it the only life for

which he has ever wished.



It is time for us to speak to, and reason with, each other. Because if we but feel the force of truth, Pascal teaches, we will yield to it.



To those of like persuasion, our task is to apprise our regions of the advisability

--- if not the inevitability --- of self-rule to supplant the status quo. Our obligation is to remind our emerging republics, in the Jewish writer Theodor Herzel’s words, “We are one people --- our enemies have made us one. Distress binds us together, and, thus united, we suddenly discover our own strength. Yes, we are strong enough to form a state and a model state. We possess all the human and material resources for that endeavor.” Our courage must be that of the prophet Isaiah, who, when he heard the Lord ask, “Whom shall I send?” responded, “Here I am, Lord. Send me!” Our forti-tude must emulate Rizal’s, who taught that “liberty is a woman who grants her favors only to the brave.” Our prayer must be that of Mabini: “I have no other balm . . . than the satisfaction given by the conviction of having always done what I believed to be my duty. God grant that I can say the same at the hour of my death.” Our duty is to remind our nations that they alone are responsible for the structures, sanctions, and standards by which they desire to be governed, and that only a government that fears its citizens attempts to suppress them. Our challenge is to apprise them of their rights, because those who do not know their rights have none. Our charge is to help them recapture and regain their exclusive, God-given role as the paramount conser-vators of our distinct cultural identities, the finest guardians of our children’s future, and the best trustees of our plural political destinies.



To the Philippine Left, who deem themselves the “vanguards” of nationalism, I commend the words of Kathleen Weekley:



[T]wentieth century modernist nationalism can no longer be a political stra-

tegy for the Filipino left because it rests on the obliteration of differences.

Rethinking old-style anti-imperialism will force the left to . . . understand

that ethnic, class and other social cleavages are not transcended via a ‘na-

tional’ imaginary except through the use of violence. . . . I argue that the

Philippine state’s relative historical lack of success in hegemonic nation-

building, along with a recently reinvigorated democratic impulse, offer the

Filipino left a unique opportunity to lead a popular campaign for a new

regional identity --- one committed to democratic principles rather than ex-

clusivist notions of ‘national belonging.’



None of us, any longer, can hang on to the false “imaginary” of our Filipino-ness. The “Filipino,” as we’ve seen, is an artificial, hegemonic construct created solely to serve the needs of state-building, needs that destroy identity, stifle freedom, and perpetuate injustice. It is a destructive, debilitating deceit that disregards essential issues of distinctiveness, domination, and discrimination. It is the handiwork of be-nighted nationalism, which Lenin himself forcefully and categorically deplored.



The proletariat of Russia is faced with a two-fold, or rather, a two-sided task:

to combat nationalism of every kind, above all, Great-Russian nationalism;

to recognise, not only fully equal rights for all nations in general, but also

equality of rights as regards polity, i.e., the right of nations to self-determi-

nation, to secession.



To those who would cling by sentiment to the faded myth of unity because the inertia of four centuries binds their hearts, I ask: Who better to save our dying cul-tures and vanishing languages than the nations to whom they belong? Who better to serve as the best curators of Visayan heritage than Visayans? Who better to govern Bangsamoro than its Muslims? Who better to protect the resources of Cordillera than the Igorots? Who better to discern the needs of Mindanao than Mindanaoans? Who better to address the challenges of Luzon than Luzonians? And if we desire and demand self-rule: Who will stop us? Who can resist us? Wisdom from two heroic fig-ures, one from today’s South Africa and the other from France of centuries ago: Archbishop Desmond Tutu tells us: “When a people decide they want to be free, there is nothing that can stop them.” The Marquis de la Fayette reminds us, “Call to mind the sentiments which nature has engraved on the heart of every citizen. For a nation to love liberty, it is sufficient that she knows it; for a nation to be free, it is sufficient that she wills it.”



John Locke, the ideological progenitor of the American Revolution, would have stoutly, and proudly, agreed. From his Second Treatise on Government [1690]:



Every man must judge for himself whether circumstances warrant obedience

or resistance to the commands of the civil magistrate; we are all qualified,

entitled, and morally obliged to evaluate the conduct of our rulers. This po-

litical judgment, moreover, is not simply or primarily a right, but like self-

preservation, a duty to God. As such it is a judgment that men cannot part

with . . . It is the first and foremost of our inalienable rights without which

we can preserve no other.



Of all the truths we’ve seen, this is the most precious --- the most profound: if we refuse to earn the right to govern ourselves, we are entitled to no other.

I hate the term "Imperial Manila". Stop Manila-bashing.

It is just a seat of government. Remember that those who compose that government also come from the traditional elites of the provinces all over the country. They were voted by the locals of those provinces. They are all represented in Congress.

It's not bashing. Well partly. Development must be distributed equally. I just don't want a lot of things centralized in one area.Job opportunities should be available everywhere and every region has a right to have an independent economy that is not dependent from the capital. Lili is right about that. All provinces are represented in the Congress but still it is weird that everthing is still centralized. Manila is indeed not the Philippines.

The Imperial Manila claim stems from two things:

1) distribution of the PHilippine budget;

2) the command control organization of government.

For the first, the past three presidencies (from Ramos up) have made very significant changes in allocation, the problem lies in the fact that 80% actually can't be distributed since half goes to interst and debt , the other half goes to salaries. Of course MM has more than it's fair share (pro rata to population and gdp) of employment this is what shows up to most people in the province as to unfair sharing of the budget. The reality is no government can do anything about it. Not without making substantial changes in law , including the consitution. That's why every administration since Ramos has pushed for Constitutional Changes. A deeper look at this will reveal that this is not exactly the case all the time. For the past 30 years at least, Manila itself has been a net contributor to the budget not a recipient (I.e. it actually contributes more to the budget than it proportionately receives). For many politicians and Provincial Executives the claims that they will be better off without Manila or if they separated is actually rooted more in politics and power bereft of economics.

If we separated the country as the above book fantasizes about, you will have Cordillera and Bangsamoro as non feasible entities with gdp per capita lower than India, and Visayas would be complaining about Imperial Cebu (ilongos vs. cebuanos vs. warays hmmm) but at least feasible. Though they would have even higher power rates than the ones they already experience without the tradional subsidy from Luzon and Mindanao grids (yes money does indeed flow other ways not shown in the national budget) , same with higher water and transportation cost. And the Rest of Mindanao which is large and very fragmented. The big winner will actually be Luzon and MM which will catapult to the same status as thailand , actually even more. The spread of developement is also jsut as much prevented by local elites rather than Manila. Many places remain backward (actually the most backward places) are backward because of entredched local elites protecting their own interest at the expense of the public good. Same as in countries in Africa, the greatest spur for development is good local public governance, the lack of corruption which does not exist in many places . This is most evident in places where one family holds sway over a long period of time with no competition for public office. The better managed places have strong competition at the local political level if only to keep the other side honest.

For the commnad and control of government, this actually rings true to a certain degree. Definitely politicians and administrators need to travel to Manila and this costs money and time , though not as much as it is made out to be. This system of government can actually be made to work as Napolean figured out in 200 years and converted France and Imperial Paris into one of the greatest nations on Earth. Their centralized system of budgets, justice, education etc has shown to be just as effective and efficient as federal or more decentralized systems. It most probably is the case that the problem is not a centralized system per se but how the players in the system run it. Where it is subject to corruption and graft it will not run , as any system subjected to it. Perhaps this centralized system is not best suited to Filipinos then , surely all these years can point out to it , at least the lack of progress. I have my own opinions contrary to these but leave this up to the politicians to decide. I just hope most people truly understand what they have been mouthing off and espousing before they make stands on these issues.

Anyway it looks like we are on our way to having more discussion about this on a level implementation. For those of you who complain about the country a lot this is your chance to do something about it and make a difference.

@Bustero, what a great elucidation on the flipside of the issue. It really is all about politics as the conflict and competition over control over scarce resources. If Federalism pushes through, I hope that it will address the more equitable distribution of these resources and provide a more level playing field for the political actors. Otherwise, it will just be the entrenched local elites running the show. Same old. Same old.

judging by the amount of interest in this topic, it seems that GMA has succeeded in shitfting the debate from her indiscretions to that of a change in government. This is pure manipulation and spin on her part. The first issue should be whether she should remain as president. I am sickened by the fact that she in her state of the nation address she made no mention of the scandal, no clarification, nothing whatsoever--what arrogance.

Instead we find ourselves debating a charter change to parliamentary and federal system. I find it troubling that only when she sees herself cornered does she then actively promote such change. And when I ask will this change take place by the end of her term.? Please let us not allow ourselves to be manipulated. She is void of any convictions and is simply and sadly in survival mode. She cares before and now only of public opinion and nothing more.

Finally, for the sake of argument, I believe that a unicameral parliamentary system would be beneficial but it is too ambitious to adopt federalism at the same time. The bicameral legislature is the problem and the people's fixation with personality rather than substance that is at the root of the problem.

But let us not forget the first order of the day--the resignation of GMA.

deleted...

GMA is not indispensible, in fact she and her supporters are manipulating the debate to frighten the people. What I want to avoid is precisely the scenario, you envisioned, unless GMA acts quickly then the nation will be more poralized and thereby for the sake of political expediency alliances that were undreamed of before may materialize, that's why she needs to act quickly. I certainly appreciate your concerns but it is precisely your concern that has convinced me that she must go at this time.

But let us not lose sight of the real issue, assuming she had done wrong or in the eyes of many she has done wrong, then why should she remain in power? what kind of message does that send to the youth of our country--when a sitting president is caught with her hands in the cookie jar why should we just turn away because we are afraid of risks involved. The real risk lies in allowing her to remain in power.

Sino sa kanila ang hindi babaero?

I am not privy to the private life of Susan. Just curious, is she gay or lesbian or straight?

"What kind of message does that send to the youth of our country?

Cusket hand is caught in the cookie jar of pseudoplagiarism. We know Rizal, we studied Rizal. You're no Rizal.

Pseudoplagiarism is getting contagious. Now I am paraphrasing a former U.S. Presidential candidate. Mea culpa. Mea culpa. Mea maxima culpa. Oops, another copycat.

But let us not lose sight of the real issue, assuming she had done wrong or in the eyes of many she has done wrong, then why should she remain in power? what kind of message does that send to the youth of our country--when a sitting president is caught with her hands in the cookie jar why should we just turn away because we are afraid of risks involved. The real risk lies in allowing her to remain in power.

So you are assuming.... How about assuming she had not done wrong, if you know u have not done wrong, why would you step down, isn't that gonna make look guilty of something u didnt do. If I were in her shoes, I would have done the same. Im gonna fight for my dignity till I die. If ever I died before I could prove it, at least I know in my heart that I fought the battle, and not merely succomb to cry of the power hungry politicians. I think y the opposition is crying too loud this days is because they know that their days are numbered, if they dont act now to bring back the government system to its traditional rotten system, there wouldnt be room for them to breathe anymore. Think about that. I'll only Judge GMA till the investigation is over. For now, only God knows whats in her heart, trust the Lord in this, if she has done wrong and escaped from the eyes of the law of man, then she will never escape the Final Judgement of God.

"Im gonna fight for my dignity till I die."

For me I won't go for extreme masochism. To paraphrase Patton, he said, "Don't be a dead hero. Be a hero by letting that other god damn son of a bitch do the dying for you."

If GMA resigns then the Philippines will be a country without a leader. Before they ask for a resignation they should provide first an alternative leader. Think think think....


Noli (De Castro) shall be there... he is the constitutional successor....

anyways... anong kinalaman ng pagiging babaero sa pagpapatakbo ng bansa?

are we sure that the one holding power didn't actually strive to steal power?

I think in our current situation.. we should all stop siding... let's stop being pro-GMA, pro-Erap, pro-FPJ, anti-Erap, anti-GMA, etc.... we should all shut up and search for the truth on both sides... we are all Filipinos who pay taxes... all our politicians including GMA is playing on the emotions and minds of all... this is not a game.. di natin kailangan magkampihan at magsisihan o mangkutya ng di kakampi... we should act as one... ika nga ni GMA sa SONA nya... "if only we would overcome the tendency to be our own worst enemy."

Aside from the obvious that a Parliamentary Gov't is headed by a Prime Minister and a President while Federal has only a President and a vice president ( if my understanding serves me right from reading about Philippine News and the forum here. Are there any difference between the two form of governments? I think here in the United States we have a Federal form of government as each state has it's own law separate from each other, separate election dates in each State and counties (region). Each state does not have to solely rely of Washington's each internal affairs, the laws can be changed by the Governor and the governing bodies. I think that's what Mrs. Arroyo was has been trying to recommend to the Philippine lawmakers and her people. I think it is a good idea for a stategy to help augment the Philippine economy. As for which Political party to listen to, I think the both have their hidden agendas, Politics are always being played dirty, not only in the Philippines but all over the world, that just the way it is. I will still stand with what i've posted before in an earlier thread here to let Mrs Arroyo stay in her office and let the oppositionist and concerned people to watch her every moves just like how it is right now, then, proceed with the impeachment but let her continue with working on her proposed plan or strategies on how to move the Philippines forward so it can catch up with the neighboring Asian countries as it seems that the Philippines is lagging behind other asian nations by far, Look at India and Vietnam most especially...... The oppositionist and the ruling party should learn to how reconcile their differences, to exist harmoniously and focus in restructuring the philippine economy so the people there does not have to look for other better place or country to live in. A good example for this would be Singapore. Does any of you see any singaporean migrate to other countries? If there is? You can even count it by your own fingers...

The answers are obviously complex and the potential consequences of resignation bear many risks. But let us simplify things by starting at the top of the political structure, if the head of state has committed a wrong (and I am utterly convinced based on her response, or lack of response that she has done wrong, an innocent person especially the president should not shield herself by refusing to talk about what happened....nothing is preventing her from clarifying what happened which she has refused thus far-if is she simply awaiting the legal process to commence before speaking out then that creates suspicion in my mind (an innocent person has nothing to hide and cant talk freely----in the meantime as we await word from her, our poor country suffers more) then he/she must be removed. It's that simple, sure there may be consequences but what crime can be worse than stealing an election--doing so means one does not have any right to even serve in the stolen position. It's once again that simple.

GMA must resign to preempt the setting up a military junta or for God's sake a return of ERAP and his ilk. The citizenry are bound to grow more frustrated and more alienated and may be tempted to side with the dark forces that comprise the traditional opposition. Let us not forget that we have a sitting vice-president and a senate and congress, a judiciary system, military chain of command that will remain in place if GMA resigns.

Although our system of government needs improvement it is not the system that needs overhaul but the people who serve as our leadership that need improvement.

The answers are obviously complex and the potential consequences of resignation bear many risks. But let us simplify things by starting at the top of the political structure, if the head of state has committed a wrong (and I am utterly convinced based on her response, or lack of response that she has done wrong, an innocent person especially the president should not shield herself by refusing to talk about what happened....nothing is preventing her from clarifying what happened which she has refused thus far-if is she simply awaiting the legal process to commence before speaking out then that creates suspicion in my mind (an innocent person has nothing to hide and cant talk freely----in the meantime as we await word from her, our poor country suffers more) then he/she must be removed. It's that simple, sure there may be consequences but what crime can be worse than stealing an election--doing so means one does not have any right to even serve in the stolen position. It's once again that simple.
i don't think it's that simple. even if she did speak out earlier right after the controversy erupted, the opposition and their supporters will still not believe her. why? because they knew that the president would deny it. also, she has been urging those who accuse her of wrongdoing to bring their complaints to the proper forum but what did they do? they opted for street protests instead and they failed miserably. and now, parang napilitan pa tuloy silang magfile ng impeachment case. remember, in the beginning, an impeachment case was not even considered by the opposition as an option because they knew in the first place that they won't prosper in doing so.

GMA must resign to preempt the setting up a military junta or for God's sake a return of ERAP and his ilk. The citizenry are bound to grow more frustrated and more alienated and may be tempted to side with the dark forces that comprise the traditional opposition. Let us not forget that we have a sitting vice-president and a senate and congress, a judiciary system, military chain of command that will remain in place if GMA resigns.
even if she resigns, i don't believe that the political chaos will stop. the opposition (pimentel, estrada et al) has already made it clear that they won't support the vice president. actually they want vp noli to resign as well. what does that tell u?

Actually, some of the opposition douchebags want everyone who benefited from last election to resign so even if they do get Noli and GMA, they still have other congressmen to target. Quite a scary scenario, isn't it? Next thing you know there's gonna be daily protests again in Makati but this time for those congressmen. These angry turds just need to cool off because they're ruining the image of the country and unfortunately they're successful in fooling people around and convincing them.

I find it ironic that the one institution the I will be eliminated and is in the most need of reform is the one whose permission in needed to federalize. If we had only 1 chamber , we would have moved ahead so much more as a country. And this is non partisan politics, as even gma's partymates will not support constitutional change in order to preserve their jobs and power.




Senate opposes Charter change
Only 3 senators support Arroyo plan


First posted 00:12am (Mla time) July 27, 2005
By Juliet Labog-Javellana, TJ Burgonio
Inquirer News Service



Editor's Note: Published on page A1 of the July 27, 2005 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

DEAD on arrival is the fate of the move by President Gloria Macapagal- Arroyo to change the Constitution and adopt the federal-type, parliamentary system, senators said yesterday.

Senators frown on Ms Arroyo’s proposal on Monday in her State of the Nation Address as she battles impeachment proceedings against her for allegedly rigging last year’s elections and charges her family benefited from illegal gambling payoffs. Ms Arroyo has denied the charges.

Opposition to a Charter change is also prompted by self-preservation, lawmakers said. If approved, it will lead to the abolition of the Senate and the setting up of a unicameral legislature.

Senate President Franklin Drilon and Senator Joker Arroyo said only three of the 23 senators -- Richard Gordon, Edgardo Angara and Juan Ponce Enrile -- had expressed agreement with Ms Arroyo’s proposal.

Ms Arroyo proposes the transformation of Congress into a constituent assembly -- instead of an elected convention -- that will
Print this story
Send this story
Write the editor
Reprint this article
View other stories


initiate the move from presidential to the parliamentary system.

As a constituent assembly, 18 senators, or three-fourths of the Senate members, are needed to propose any amendment to the Charter. A two-thirds vote, or 16 senators, is needed in the Senate to approve the calling of a constitutional convention.

Drilon and Arroyo both said it would be easy to “kill” any move to change the Charter, adding that the votes of six senators were all that was needed.

“The proponents of Charter change should forget it altogether because the members are just not there to support it,” Senator Arroyo said.

“If there are six senators that will block it, it’s dead,” Arroyo said. He pointed out that at least half of the Senate membership opposed tinkering with the Charter.

“What is the picture? We elected 12 senators last year -- seven administration and five opposition senators. Their terms of office will not end till 2010 or five years from now. Can we reasonably expect them to shorten their term just so the country can shift to parliamentary?” Arroyo said.

The 12 senators are Rodolfo Biazon, Pia Cayetano, Miriam Defensor-Santiago, Gordon, Manuel “Lito” Lapid, Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. and Manuel “Mar” Roxas II from the administration and Enrile, Jamby Madrigal, Alfredo Lim, Aquilino Pimentel Jr., Luisa “Loi” Ejercito and her son Jinggoy Estrada of the opposition.

Not feasible

Arroyo said he also did not think the senators would agree to become automatic members of parliament because their powers would be diminished under the setup.

“Why the talks of amending the Constitution if it is not feasible? If the idea to harness it as a distraction to the present political crisis, then that is something else,” Arroyo said.

Santiago, a member of the pro-administration bloc, said it was too early to change the 9-year-old Charter.

“If the Constitution is not permanent, Charter change would lead to more political instability. The Constitution should not be worked upon by the temper of the times. It should not rise or fall with the tide of events,” Santiago said.

“Legislators must not be distracted at this time with Charter change. I hope that it is not a diversionary tactic to erase from the people’s mind the most pressing issue at the moment -- the impeachment,” said Senator Ramon Magsaysay Jr.

Change like a nuclear option

“The country is already deeply divided, then you will add this very divisive issue. In my view this Charter change is like a nuclear option. You don’t need to destroy everything just because you have problems with something,” said Roxas.

Angara, true to previous form, said he would strongly campaign for Charter amendments through a constituent assembly.

“The prevailing system is a slow motion route. We need political restructuring for us to advance and develop,” Angara said.

Jinggoy Estrada also lambasted Ms Arroyo’s proposal, saying: “You are the problem Mrs. Arroyo and not the Constitution. Don’t blame the system.”

“I believe that we should address the crucial issue of the day -- that is political division. The impeachment process cannot be swept under the rug,” Drilon said. He said Filipinos would like to know the truth behind the wiretapping controversy involving Ms Arroyo and Election Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano.

Disclosure of the wiretap prompted the worst political crisis to hit the 4-year-old Arroyo administration that was swept into power in the aftermath of the impeachment trial and subsequent ouster of President Joseph Estrada.

What is the truth?

“People would like to know what is the truth insofar as the Garcillano tapes are concerned, insofar as the ‘jueteng’ scandal is concerned,” Drilon said.

Pimentel, a staunch advocate of federalism, also said the chances of the proposal getting approved in the Senate were slim.

“It will be difficult because we know it is only a ploy to buy time for her,” he said in an interview. He said former President Fidel V. Ramos and other politicians were “manipulating” Ms Arroyo so she could “prolong her stay in Malacañang to the prejudice of the people.”

At a news conference yesterday, Ramos repeated earlier statements that he was not interested in becoming prime minister and challenged Congress to bar past presidents from taking up any posts in a parliamentary government.

“They better put it in the law if they don’t believe me and put me in jail if I break that law,” Ramos said before his departure for Kuala Lumpur to attend the Third Asian Economic Summit.

“I see nothing wrong about discussing (the move to amend the Charter) as long as this does not drown out the impeachment complaint and the search for truth,” Villar said.

Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said Ms Arroyo did not offer any timeline in proposing to amend the Constitution. He said the President was leaving it to Congress.

Campaign

“I heard that the President will actively engage in explaining the need for Charter change during her visits to the countryside,” Bunye told reporters.

“She will bring this case to the people,” he said.

Asked about opposition statements that a Charter change would give Ms Arroyo a graceful exit, Bunye said: “This is not a matter of graceful exit but this is a matter of pushing through political reforms.”

Bunye said some lawmakers had been pushing for constitutional changes even before the current political crisis.

“In view of the urgency and importance of this proposal, they would find time to discuss this,” Bunye added.

Representative Constantino Jaraula of Cagayan de Oro said the House would start debates next week on the proposed Charter changes.

“We’re just waiting for the committee on rules to place this on the Order of Business,” he said.

Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez said regardless of the mode, people have no choice but to have either relatives or friends of incumbent congressmen or the current crop of lawmakers amending the Constitution.

In a constitutional convention, he said “congressmen would certainly put up their candidates, their brothers, wives or whatever.”

“Who will run in Iloilo City, for example, without my blessing?” said Gonzalez. The district is now represented by his son.

Squid tactic

Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Rosales said amending the Constitution could be compared to building a new house without driving away the old inhabitants.

“You are improving the house but you are not improving the character of the people,” he told reporters. “We are changing the laws but we are not changing the people who are making the laws.”

Archbishop Oscar Cruz of Lingayen and Dagupan described the President’s move as a “squid tactic” meant to divert attention from mounting calls for her resignation.

“Such tactic is too shallow to be taken seriously,” he told reporters. “She can’t just make it appear that the problem is with the system of government, not her.”

“The presidency has no need of lies and liberty. Those who blindly and incriminately defend the President are the very ones who undermine the credibility and authority of the office,” said Bro. Manuel de Leon, superior of the Marist Brothers of the Philippines. With reports from Armand N. Nocum, Christine O. Avendaño, Nikko Dizon, Philip C. Tubeza, Leila B. Salaverria, Christian V. Esguerra, Delfin T. Mallari Jr., Yolanda Sotelo-Fuertes and Anthony S. Allada

One good thing that has emerged from this discussion, is the fact that we all seem to recognize the problem and know the adversaries (opportunists) involved. We simply differ in the solution and appreciation of the risks. I for one believe that we must follow the rule of law, and I believe resignation is not inconsistent with that. An impeachment process will be prolonged and divisive and as a result GMA will be unable to focus on the endemic problems that affect the country. Up to now, ERAP's trial has not been completed, MARCOS billions are still unaccounted for, very few if any of the soldiers who went astray in the most recent "coup" will go unpunished.

The rule of succession places Noli De Castro as the vice-president as next in line--whether we like it or not nor whether he is ready or not, we must accept this scenario; if as many of you suggest that the opposition will not stop at GMA and try to dislodge Noli as well then clearly our democracy and more particularly GMA's hold on power is that fragile then therefore no one can stop the forces of darkness from prevailing. I believe that by an early resignation (I truly believe that she will be removed) we can minimize the damage and prevent the opposition, who are now salivating profusely, from exploiting the inevitable frustration that would result.

I believe this editiorial says it all


High Ground : Why Gloria was doomed to fail from the start

First posted 06:27am (Mla time) July 25, 2005
By William Esposo
INQ7.net



I’m saddened by the unfolding tragedy that is the Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo presidency. I have seen it fit to be the critic of her presidency but in truth, there had been a few good times between Gloria M. Arroyo and me.
In 1996, news about Gloria’s intention to run for the 1998 presidential race brought relief to those who dreaded the thought of Joseph ‘Erap’ Estrada becoming president. For those who cared about nurturing the fragile post-EDSA democracy to healthier stability, the thought of having Erap take control was indeed frightening.

As the topnotcher in the 1995 senatorial elections, Gloria indeed had what it takes to beat Erap. In early 1996, at the Intercon Hotel in Makati, Cherry Zapanta, a common friend, arranged the first meeting. Cherry was one of those who operated the reception area of the Cory Aquino Media Bureau for the 1985-86 Snap Elections which I headed. Cherry is also a Kabalen of Gloria and one of the closest friends of the president.

In that meeting which included then Senator Arroyo, Dona Eva Macapagal, Cherry Zapanta, Mike Arroyo and two former Diosdado Macapagal stalwarts in the Liberal Party, Mike Arroyo did most of the talking. Although what was offered to me was the general management of the campaign, I opted to be a simple media adviser because I was then running two businesses even as my kidneys at that time were already starting to deteriorate. Eventually I had to undergo hemodialysis for 25 months leading to an eventual successful kidney transplant in January 9, 2002 at the Makati Medical Center. Gloria gave me a surprise visit on January 12, 2002 at the hospital, not knowing that the day was also my 53rd birthday.

I served in the campaign team for about 20 months and formally resigned in November 1997. Those 20 months I spent with the campaign team gave me rare insights into the personality and character of both Gloria and Mike Arroyo. Even that early, I was convinced that Gloria did not have what it takes to be regarded as the ‘hope of the country’.

Notwithstanding her dismal track record and the endless chain of scandals, Gloria M. Arroyo must have pursued positive goals for our country. Why, even Ferdinand Marcos had lofty dreams for the Philippines and had wanted to leave behind a good legacy. Perhaps, Gloria even outperforms all other previous presidents in terms of the number of hours she puts in the job. When I was in her campaign team in 1996 and 1997, I would get calls from Gloria as early as 6 am – a most ungodly hour for me – whenever she wanted my assessment of an issue that was just raised against her the previous day.

Alas, it is true what they say that the road to hell is full of good intentions. History validates the fact that all the good intentions of rulers really depend on the methods they choose and the ideals they pursue. Looking back, this is where I see the failure and the tragedy of the Gloria M. Arroyo presidency. The roads that she chose to take, coupled with her inadequate moorings blended a lethal concoction leading to what is to be a failed presidency.

Trapo politics

Given all the kind of choices she had made and tends to make, Gloria M. Arroyo’s much-touted reforms can never happen. Reform and traditional politics (trapo) run counter to each other. Traditional politics in our country has mutated into the failed system that perpetuates the exploitation and virtual monopoly of the national wealth. Either you go for reforms or you embrace trapo politics. Macapagal-Arroyo preferred to play the trapo game.

How can reform be possible with traditional politicians who want only to preserve the status quo for the elite 5% or so who control over 85% of the national wealth? Reform must involve the more equitable distribution of wealth and the opportunities to create wealth. The 95% of Filipinos who do not have that wealth will want that reform. The 5% who have it will resist the reform. For instance, who did Gloria M. Arroyo get as her closest allies? Check the list and you’ll find the elite 5%, as represented by the famous Triple A of Aboitiz, Ayala and Alcantara.

Look at that ad of Makati Business Club (MBC) members who protested the earlier MBC position asking Macapagal-Arroyo to resign and you will see the complete list, from A to Y, from Aboitiz to Yuchengco, who happen to be beneficiaries of the regime. Remember how she had unceremoniously junked good members of her cabinet after the 2004 elections for the sake of political accommodation? That’s the trapo patronage system at work for you.

Can you see reform at that time when she replaced Dinky Soliman with Noli de Castro as DSWD secretary? She backtracked only after she saw the negative backlash. Can you see reform when she replaced an able marketing man like Obet Pagdanganan in Tourism with someone as clueless about the requirements of the post as Ramon Durano? Are we surprised that up to now tourism remains in the category of a “potential” revenue earner while the same sector in Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand has grown by leaps and bounds? Where is the reform in the appointment of Ramon Revilla as PEA Chairman? Where is the reform in giving a frontline development agency like the DOTC to an ex-cop, Leandro Mendoza? In this information age, we need someone who is techno-savvy for the DOTC post. And she chooses to get an ex-cop? The list goes on.

Lack of proper moorings

The great leaders of the world, especially those who shone during periods of national crisis, had something in common – they were well anchored on a powerful ideal, moral code or political ideology. The new ideal of love for the least of one’s brethren provided the moorings for Christian faith. The new classless order in society provided the political moorings for Lenin and Mao in revolutionizing Russia and China. These are great examples of the power of ideas whose time has come. Communism may no longer be the fire that it was in the early 20th century but there is no denying its effect on contemporary world history.

Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo never caught on with any of those great earth-moving, powerful ideas. Living in the past, she cannot move forward, and, of course, neither can the country. She peddles decision-making the way a Madame runs a brothel – flesh for sale at the right price. Trapo politics in this country is long overdue for burying six feet under. Yet it sticks out like slime on all our lives because of presidential patrons like Macapagal-Arroyo and all the teeming millions that make up most of the country’s citizens who are unable to perform their proper roles as citizens of a democracy.

The ease by which Macapagal-Arroyo could lose friends and co-opt enemies shows someone utterly bereft of proper moorings. Miriam D. Santiago is a classic case in point. In the three days of rallies leading to the May 1, 2001 assault on Malacanang, Miriam D. Santiago was one of those who primed the ‘mob’ for that assault. Come December 2003, Miriam D. Santiago jumped to Arroyo’s side without even trying to come to terms with reconciling the disparity in principle.

During the time when I was her campaign adviser, I was shocked when she visited convicted rapist, Rep. Romy Jalosjos, in jail. Here was a woman who was being positioned for the presidency and she totally missed out the implication of the message that the visit to Jalosjos delivered. This is not just a simple ‘lapse in judgment’ as she fondly excuses herself. This is an insight into a psyche that lives and swears by the credo of trapo politics. Damn female delicadeza – she, a woman, would condone the crime against womanhood, as long as the rapist can deliver her the votes from his province. Someone who would move heaven and earth and even go to hell for the almighty trapo vote can surely have the gall to steal an election.

In another instance during the campaign for the 1998 presidency, Gloria consulted the campaign team on our thoughts about her co-hosting a showbiz talk show with Boy Abunda. I immediately put my foot down. It would be like positioning a Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo wanting to out-showbiz Erap, the showbiz president wannabe, when in fact she had all the qualities that Erap did not possess for the presidency. That incident added to the many other troubling insights I had gleaned on the character of our candidate and her decision-making process.

Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo topped the 1995 senatorial election as a member of the LDP. Because she was competing with then LDP president Ed Angara for the party’s presidential nomination in 1998, she was forced to put up Kampi in 1996. Then she ran under the banner of Lakas and Kampi for the 1998 vice-presidential race which she won with a comfortable margin over a respectable field that included former Pangasinan Governor Oca Orbos, Sen. Serge Osmena and Sen. Ed Angara (who agreed to become Erap’s Vice Presidential running mate). When she became president after EDSA II, she led a coalition for the 2001 elections under the banner of the now defunct People Power Coalition. Come 2004, Macapagal-Arroyo led the K-4 Coalition in the election that she is now widely-perceived as having ‘stolen’. At the same time, she is the titular head of Lakas. That is a total of five political parties and coalitions that she used for four consecutive elections.

I am no big fan of the present White House resident in America. But compared to our Gloria, George W. Bush believes in a political ideology – the tenets of Conservative Politics. You have a guide as to how President Bush will likely react to certain issues. Not quite the same with Macapagal-Arroyo who changes parties and loyalties with every wind.

This is why I can only consider those who claim to ‘genuinely’ believe in her as truly pathetic. Even more pathetic are those who are willing to go along with the rape and abuse of the democratic process so long as a showbiz president does not get installed. They truly deserve her and to be part of her ‘Harlot Politics’ – as I like to equate all this to cause and flesh trading in the Macapagal-Arroyo era. How can anyone believe someone whose entire political career underscores the fact that she does not really believe in anything?

You are better off believing in Santa Claus than in those Macapagal-Arroyo catch phrases like ‘fiscal reform’ and ‘new politics’.

You may email William M. Esposo at: w_esposo@yahoo

Is it possible to change to a parliamentary system without anyone losing their job? England and Canada have a parliament as well with it consisting of the House of Commons and the House of Lords similar to that of the House of Representatives and the Senate. If we can't changed to a Parliamentary system we might as well try changing to a Federal system first since it should be able to gain more support and can actually create new electable leaders (both good and bad) rather than asking them to step down.

Well in Englands case they had a revolution:) kinda like off with their heads type. several stages actually, from the magna carta during the crusades, to Oliver cromwells , republican ideals, some blood was spilled.

Well in Englands case they had a revolution:) kinda like off with their heads type. several stages actually, from the magna carta during the crusades, to Oliver cromwells , republican ideals, some blood was spilled.

Isnt it the natural trend to prosperity....conflict-Bloodshed-prosperity.
The american revolution started beacause of conflicting ideals and a civil war arose from it. After the civil war, the political body was cleansed and prosperity started.

I think its ripe for the Philippines for a civil war(God forbid). But if the National Government (Senate) still ignores the call for Federalism, civil war will arise coz the Regions who are in favour of separation of power will not even bat an eyelid to shed blood if necessary in order to get the final result.

Arroyo should be allowed to run for PM in new system - Ramos
By Elisia Yeo Agence France-Presse July 27, 2005

KUALA LUMPUR - Former president Fidel Ramos said Wednesday that embattled President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo should be allowed to run for prime minister under the new parliamentary system she has proposed. "She should be allowed to run because for now she is innocent of any of the charges until proven otherwise," he told reporters during a visit to Malaysia.

However, the influential former general conceded that support for the constitutional reforms which he has championed for decades is currently running well below the two-thirds vote required in the upper house or Senate. "The numbers in the [lower] house are there already. In the Senate not yet," he said.

Just five senators were on board from the 24-seat house, which currently has one vacancy, but there were "fence sitters" among the remainder and in time the changes would be enacted, he said.

"Eventually. We are not looking at next week or two weeks from now or within the month... it's a step-by-step thing." a State of the Nation Address on Monday, Arroyo outlined a plan to draft a new constitution, scrap the US-style presidential system, and create a parliament, to end recurrent political instability in the country.

Ramos has said the proposal would be a face-saving way for Arroyo to leave office amid a political crisis sparked by allegations of vote-rigging in last year's national elections.

Under Ramos's timetable for reforms, his close ally Arroyo could make way for a prime minister by June next year rather than 2010 when her six-year term expires.

But he said Wednesday it was still unclear whether Arroyo was willing to adhere to the timetable and cut short her term.

"Some of us have indicated that there is a proposal which will provide everybody new momentum by the 30th of June 2006," he said.

"As to whether she is willing to do that, well, we don't know yet but she seemed very eager to have parliamentary and constitutional reforms because of her State of the Nation Address three days ago."

He said there was growing political support among Filipinos for the move to scrap the US-style presidential system, which has been blamed for worsening many of the Philippines' problems such as Muslim separatism in the south.

"Public opinion is building up for the parliamentary system, especially outside of metro Manila," he said.

The 77-year-old ruled out running for prime minister himself and said he had challenged the congress to pass a law prohibiting past presidents from running under an amended constitution. "That is how committed I am to remaining a private citizen," he said.

Ramos said that although the opposition did not have the numbers to oust Arroyo, they were trying to persuade more lawmakers to come on board.

"The opposition does not have the numbers amounting to 79 which is one third of the lower house. So they have quite a way to go," he said.

Ramos has played a crucial role in politics since 1986 when he helped topple dictator Ferdinand Marcos, and later served as defense secretary of Marcos's successor Corazon Aquino.

He succeeded Aquino as president in 1992, and was credited with restoring stability and economic growth.

Under the 1987 constitution, the president is limited to just one six-year term. Ramos believed the term was too short and that the presidential system was wrong for the Philippines.

The former general still commands respect domestically and internationally. However, leftist politicians believe he is pushing his own agenda to take over as prime minister.

Ramos has so far declined to add his voice to calls for Arroyo's resignation since the scandal erupted last month. It centers on audiotapes of a wire-tap in which a voice like hers tells a supposed election official to rig the election.

Arroyo has apologized for improperly calling an election official during the vote tally but has denied any wrongdoing and vowed to stay in office.

Visayas republic or other breakaway republics – a dangerous idea
by E.C. Dioko July 21, 2005

The threat of provincial leaders to form their own "republics" if Manila succeeds in driving PGMA out of Malacañang should be addressed seriously by the framers of the new Constitution. These local leaders are not joking and once their plan gets actualized, the likely consequence is a national disaster. This could mean, God forbid, a civil war if Manila intervenes in the formation of such republics, and once this explodes, who can say ethnic cleansing (like what happened in the old Yugoslavia) would not occur?

But even assuming this will not happen, what kind of a country will each of the republics be? Security-wise, a small country would be in a precarious state. It would be vulnerable to foreign aggression or even to internal anti-government movements. Look at Sri Lanka and how for years it had to struggle through the Tamil separatist activities in order to survive. Look at El Salvador and how, after a decade of bloodshed, it was forced to share power with leftist rebels.

Right now, some of our Asian neighbors are trying to grab a piece of our territory in the Kalayaan islands. What will prevent them from getting bolder once they see the absence of a central Philippine authority? Each of the new republics can of course place itself under the protective arms of the United Nations. Yet in that forum where the giants dominate, these tiny countries will get only scant attention. Remember the tribal wars in Africa, the massacres, and the famine? Where was the UN then? In the 1990s when Eastern Europe went berserk with ethnic cleansing, where was the UN? The United States and NATO were of course there, and they did a good job. But will Uncle Sam go gung-ho against the big powers just to save our necks? In a power struggle among big countries self-interest is always a priority factor and any or all of the new Philippine republics could be likely used as mere bargaining chips. Do we want this to happen to us Filipinos?

Filipinos, yes, Filipinos. One nation indivisible, one country, one soul. Through the years our forefathers gave their lives for Filipino freedom and nationhood. Bonifacio, Aguinaldo, Del Pilar, Leon Kilat and thousands of unknown heroes did not die for Visayas or Mindanao republics. It was Filipinas, whole and entire, which was their inspiration. Now that inspiration is about to be spat upon by contemporary leaders as they contemplate to build their own enclaves of a republic. Where is the Filipino spirit? Where is love of country? Shall parochial interest take precedence over national welfare?

Save-GMA and the probability of another EDSA are the raison d'etre behind these breakaway plans. The first is not compelling enough considering that GMA or any politician for that matter is not indispensable to the survival of this country. The second reason is very significant but is not strong enough to justify the partitioning of the country. The question is, can these problem not be resolved through the constitutional processes?

We suspect that the initiators of these secession moves have been carried away more by parochial passion and less by rational thinking. Perhaps they have forgotten that a country would rather get conquered than be chopped into separate sectors. They have forgotten, perhaps the hundreds of lives lost in Mindanao just to keep the independent movement there under control. Form separate republics? The idea is simply unthinkable.

There is no doubt that this idea of seceding from Manila authorities springs from the latter's imperialistic tendency. Certainly, the capital city should have no monopoly in deciding who should be booted out of Malacañang and who should stay. Since PGMA, or any president for that matter, was nationally elected, the entire country should have a say whether she stays or not. True, Edsa I and II were tolerated. But such tolerance has its limit. Tama na, sobra na is what local leaders are saying.

Those who will craft the new Constitution should listen to this voice, and fashion a fundamental law which will ensure an equitable power sharing between Manila and the provinces. More important, it should come up with an Edsa-safe provision.

Philippine political overhaul may remain a dream
By Stuart Grudgings July 27, 2005

MANILA (Reuters) - By calling for an overhaul of the Philippines' failed political system, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has tried to divert attention from her worst crisis and tap into deep discontent with the way things are. But there is a major snag. Even if Arroyo is serious about constitutional change -- which many doubt -- such a radical step needs to be approved and implemented by the dysfunctional system of today.

Winning support from politicians with a vested interest in the status quo will be tortuous at best, and many doubt it would be worth the effort without first tackling underlying problems of corruption, feudalism and flawed elections.

"You are improving the house but you are not improving the character of the people," Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Rosales said on Tuesday, a day after Arroyo called for a "great debate" on shifting from the country's U.S.-style presidential system.

"We are changing the laws, but we are not changing the people who make the laws."

Few would argue that the current system, transplanted from its former colonial master, has failed in the Philippines.

Hobbled by two decades of dictatorship under Ferdinand Marcos and chronic instability since his fall in 1986, the economy has gone from being second in Asia only to Japan in the 1950s to one long since overtaken by more dynamic neighbors.

U.S.-designed checks and balances have more often produced gridlock in a system dominated by elite clans. Tens of millions of impoverished Filipinos are largely excluded, except for handouts of food and cash in exchange for votes during elections.

ENTRENCHED ELITES

But would a British-style parliamentary system combined with federalism, which Arroyo seems to be pushing, fare any better? Former president Fidel Ramos, who often cites Thailand as a model, says stronger party loyalties would enable the nation to focus on policies and reduce the clout of political dynasties.

Proponents also say it would make it easier to topple incompetent governments legally through no-confidence motions, reducing the chance of more "people power" upheavals after those that ousted Marcos in 1986 and president Joseph Estrada in 2001.

Indonesia's shift to choosing its president by direct elections showed that even relatively small reforms can have profound effects, said Stephen Wilford, Southeast Asia analyst for the Control Risks Group.

"I'm slightly skeptical in the Philippine context because fundamentally the problems with Filipino politics boil down to the influence of entrenched elites inside the political process based around money and land," he said.

"Ever since the fall of Marcos, what we've seen is very slow and incremental reforms in the Philippines largely resisted by these elite groups."

Steven Rood, country representative for the Asia Foundation, said there was nothing in the presidential system that prevented the Philippines from tackling its social and economic problems.

"I don't believe that a parliamentary system would necessarily be any better for the Philippines than a presidential system," he said.

DEMOCRATIC FLAWS

Greater federalism -- which Arroyo hinted at by saying she wanted to "take the power from the center to the countryside that feeds it" -- has broad appeal in provinces that chafe at Manila's political dominance and control of the purse-strings.

It could also help end a three-decade-old Muslim rebellion on the southern island of Mindanao by giving the rebels the stronger self-rule they desire. The risk is that by giving powerful local bosses more autonomy, federalism would worsen national disunity.

Rood said the federalism idea had promise but would face difficult hurdles such as how to push through with the abolition of some provincial governments to make way for fewer states.

"It seems to me there are a lot of unresolved problems with federalism that crop up," he said.

Another possible flaw in Arroyo's plan is that ordinary Filipinos will be excluded from shaping the new system.

In Monday's speech, she suggested the best route for reform was turning Congress into a constituent assembly that would draw up a new charter.

That is popular with some of her allies in the House of Representatives but fiercely opposed by many senators who fear it would hand over too much influence to the lower chamber.

The alternative, a constitutional convention elected by national polls, would be more expensive and take longer but would help take power over the reforms from the traditional politicians blamed by many for the system's failure.

Leaving reform to Congress could add to the cynicism and apathy with which many Filipinos already view the debate over charter change, or "cha-cha" as it is popularly known.

"I don't really care about cha-cha," said Henry Cabrera, a real estate dealer who works in Manila's business district.

"I just wish these politicians would do their job right and then there wouldn't be a need for cha-cha."

Sa totoo lang, ok lang sa akin if all we really do is get rid of the senate and make congress more powerful. Better checks and balances but no obstruction from people who reoprt to no constituency and kahit konti lang sila barada ka na sa reform.

Kahit anong systema ng gobyerno ipalit sa Pilipinas ay hindi pa rin uunlad kung puro Kurakot ang mga opisyal at mga namumuno sa atin!

:bash: Have you notice the level of graft and corruption in the country ????

Ok, let's simplify this. I'm here in Cebu right now. Unlike in Manila, there are no pesky rallyists here. There are some noisy few, but are not significant in number and they don't hold their rally on a daily basis. All run smoothly with the usual daily round of activities, although it can't be provented that the people here are also get affected with the problems of the economy caused by the pandemonium there in Manila. Generally, the atmosphere is pro GMA. I've talked with my colleagues, students, tinderas, and drivers and majority are all in support with Arroyo.

One of the first moves in GMA's second term is the transfer of the goverment agencies from Imperial Manila to the provinces. Could be a primer on federalism with the decentralization. The Office of the Dept. of Tourism was transferred to Cebu. Since then Cebu is in boom. Cebu has positioned itself as an IT hub and with that call call centers, IT companies, and other e-commerce related business are sprouting. Tourism has also increased, in fact during the Sinulog, hotels could no longer supply the demand especially coming from the foreign tourists as all rooms were fully booked. Now, the construction sector is quite busy with hotels are being built like Club Ultima, there's also a 5-star group of companies who are signifying their intention to expand their business in Mactan Island, and the closed Cebu Plaza will soon be reopened. This moves were done just to meet the growing demand.

In my home province also in Negros Oriental, there are also some significant changes. BPOs are setting up their businesses in Dumaguete and so the young people there would no longer have to go to Cebu or Manila just to look for a job. The roads were cemented and sea transportation became more convenient with the ROROs and improved piers. All these changes happened during the term of GMA.

That's why I could not understand why the people there in Manila are shouting for Arroyo's resignation. And for what basis, for a wiretapped conversation that was taken illegally in the first place! And if so that there was really cheating, hey I would prefer being govern by Arroyo than an inexperienced actor whose only asset was his fame (BTW, I voted for Roco). Well whats the usual contention.... morality! I don't know if being driven again to poverty is moral. I already have enough of that sickening experience, I want my life to improve also. It's like weighing the merits and demerits of the game (politics is not stain free, both sides I believe have done their share). If she has really done it so but somewhat there's a an improvement of my life, even just a slight, then I can readily forgive her.

I have been following the Good News Thread on this forum for some time now and the outlooks are quite optimistic. The Philippine Stock Market is performing better than the other asian markets, the dollar exchange rate has broken the P53 barrier. All seems to be going well until this scandal has broke loose while these flames were being fanned by the opposition who evidently have ulterior motives and just masqueraded it that it is for the good of this country. Damn trapos!!


Ignorant "bayarans" were mobilized to EDSA (who don't even pay taxes) and soon others were joining the bandwagon because on the basis of what is ethical or moral. As a result, the whole country suffers. If not only for the support of the local leaders in the provinces then this administration could have already collapsed. YES, I WOULD FULLY AGREE WITH THE FEDERAL FORM OF GOVT. One place should not dictate on the fate of this country!!

Ok, let's simplify this. I'm here in Cebu right now. Unlike in Manila, there are no pesky rallyists here. There are some noisy few, but are not significant in number and they don't hold their rally on a daily basis. All run smoothly with the usual daily round of activities, although it can't be provented that the people here are also get affected with the problems of the economy caused by the pandemonium there in Manila. Generally, the atmosphere is pro GMA. I've talked with my colleagues, students, tinderas, and drivers and majority are all in support with Arroyo.

One of the first moves in GMA's second term is the transfer of the goverment agencies from Imperial Manila to the provinces. Could be a primer on federalism with the decentralization. The Office of the Dept. of Tourism was transferred to Cebu. Since then Cebu is in boom. Cebu has positioned itself as an IT hub and with that call call centers, IT companies, and other e-commerce related business are sprouting. Tourism has also increased, in fact during the Sinulog, hotels could no longer supply the demand especially coming from the foreign tourists as all rooms were fully booked. Now, the construction sector is quite busy with hotels are being built like Club Ultima, there's also a 5-star group of companies who are signifying their intention to expand their business in Mactan Island, and the closed Cebu Plaza will soon be reopened. This moves were done just to meet the growing demand.

In my home province also in Negros Oriental, there are also some significant changes. BPOs are setting up their businesses in Dumaguete and so the young people there would no longer have to go to Cebu or Manila just to look for a job. The roads were cemented and sea transportation became more convenient with the ROROs and improved piers. All these changes happened during the term of GMA.

That's why I could not understand why the people there in Manila are shouting for Arroyo's resignation. And for what basis, for a wiretapped conversation that was taken illegally in the first place! And if so that there was really cheating, hey I would prefer being govern by Arroyo than an inexperienced actor whose only asset was his fame (BTW, I voted for Roco). Well whats the usual contention.... morality! I don't know if being driven again to poverty is moral. I already have enough of that sickening experience, I want my life to improve also. It's like weighing the merits and demerits of the game (politics is not stain free, both sides I believe have done their share). If she has really done it so but somewhat there's a an improvement of my life, even just a slight, then I can readily forgive her.

I have been following the Good News Thread on this forum for some time now and the outlooks are quite optimistic. The Philippine Stock Market is performing better than the other asian markets, the dollar exchange rate has broken the P53 barrier. All seems to be going well until this scandal has broke loose while these flames were being fanned by the opposition who evidently have ulterior motives and just masqueraded it that it is for the good of this country. Damn trapos!!


Ignorant "bayarans" were mobilized to EDSA (who don't even pay taxes) and soon others were joining the bandwagon because on the basis of what is ethical or moral. As a result, the whole country suffers. If not only for the support of the local leaders in the provinces then this administration could have already collapsed. YES, I WOULD FULLY AGREE WITH THE FEDERAL FORM OF GOVT. One place should not dictate on the fate of this country!!


AMEN to that!!!!

Then are you in favor of a Federal Form of Government?

Let's go Federal...
Divide the country ito six viable states:

Northern Luzon
Metro Manila - Admin Region
Southern Luzon
Visayas
Mindanao
Bangsamoro

^ this perhaps is more viable:

Northern Luzon
Metro Manila - Capital State
Southern Luzon
Federal State of Cebu
Visayas
Mindanao
Bangsamoro

i am for charter change..... ;)

Kahit anong systema ng gobyerno ipalit sa Pilipinas ay hindi pa rin uunlad kung puro Kurakot ang mga opisyal at mga namumuno sa atin!

:bash: Have you notice the level of graft and corruption in the country ????


That's true... walang uunlad sa isang bansang kurakot...pero in Federal form of government, mas mahihiya ang mga opisyal ng gobyerno na mangurakot dahil decentralized na ang gobyerno meaning hindi mo na kailangan intindihin ang nasa itaas dahil meron ng sariling estado na mas maliit at mas lantad kung sila'y mangungurakot...halimbawa.....State of Cebu at State of Davao....kung pareho silang may malaking revenue pero mas mababa ang performance ng iba o mas mayaman ang isa, aba magtaka ang tao, Pero sa totoo lang mas ma miminimize na ang red tape at coruption sa isang federal na bansa (not 100% SURE)

Isa pang kagandahan ng isang Federal Form (dahil nga decentralized ang gobyerno) decentralizado na rin ang mga investments. Kung May New York, Chicago, LA, San Francisco ang America walang dudang ang Cebu, Davao at iba pang ciudad dito ay uunlad. mas maraming skycrapers mas masaya
( " (^o^)" ) .

Ang Bansang Archipelago tulad ng Pilipinas na nahahati ng mga pulo at may iba't ibang wika, kultura, at etnikong kinabibilangan ay nangangailangan ng uri ng gobyernong uugma sa kanyang katangiang pisikal, kultural at social. Ngunit hindi ito nangangahulugan ng pagkakabaha-bahagi kundi paglilinang lamang ng sariling pagkakakilanlan.

Go for FEDERAL FORM OF GOVERNMENT!

That's true... walang uunlad sa isang bansang kurakot...pero in Federal form of government, mas mahihiya ang mga opisyal ng gobyerno na mangurakot dahil decentralized na ang gobyerno meaning hindi mo na kailangan intindihin ang nasa itaas dahil meron ng sariling estado na mas maliit at mas lantad kung sila'y mangungurakot...halimbawa.....State of Cebu at State of Davao....kung pareho silang may malaking revenue pero mas mababa ang performance ng iba o mas mayaman ang isa, aba magtaka ang tao, Pero sa totoo lang mas ma miminimize na ang red tape at coruption sa isang federal na bansa (not 100% SURE)

Isa pang kagandahan ng isang Federal Form (dahil nga decentralized ang gobyerno) decentralizado na rin ang mga investments. Kung May New York, Chicago, LA, San Francisco ang America walang dudang ang Cebu, Davao at iba pang ciudad dito ay uunlad. mas maraming skycrapers mas masaya
( " (^o^)" ) .

Ang Bansang Archipelago tulad ng Pilipinas na nahahati ng mga pulo at may iba't ibang wika, kultura, at etnikong kinabibilangan ay nangangailangan ng uri ng gobyernong uugma sa kanyang katangiang pisikal, kultural at social. Ngunit hindi ito nangangahulugan ng pagkakabaha-bahagi kundi paglilinang lamang ng sariling pagkakakilanlan.

Go for FEDERAL FORM OF GOVERNMENT!

Agree. :cheers: Let there be 'unity in diversity'. Let there be inter-state competition to increase productivity. Empower and make our local leaders responsive to the needs of their constituents. Let's go for Federal..... :rofl:

:rofl: Failed system

In the MFP conference Thursday, Zubiri said the presidential form of government has been tried and tested -- and deemed to have failed.

He said it was the system that doomed any President to failure.

"We do not want Imperial Manila to dictate to us... what we can and cannot do, what we can spend and cannot spend," Zubiri said. "For example, Mindanao is contributing to the National Treasury some P200 billion in income each year. However, only about P30 billion goes back to us in the form of internal revenue allotments. So little is brought back to us. That's unfair."

Imagine how much 170 billion can do for Mindanao's infrustructure each year. If this is true, then it is really unfair for Mindanao. Then :bash: Let's go Federal

I got this from www.inq7.net. This topic is an overview of Metro Manila, Metro Cebu and ARMM if ever the Federal System push thru. I hope you will read this very informative arcticles.

Metro Manila Shared Prosperity
By Carmel V. Abao, Maitet Diokno-Pascual

Few will argue that political, economic, and finance power in the country tends to be concentrated in Metro Manila. The metropolis alone accounts for nearly a third of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). According to the National Statistical Coordination Board, “imperial” Manila is also responsible for one-third of the national industrial output. In 2002, it contributed 40 percent to the total manufacturing production.
Services have largely taken over Metro Manila’s economy, constituting slightly over 60 percent of the National Capital Region’s (NCR) gross domestic output, with industries making up the rest at nearly 40 percent.

Manufacturing continues to contribute significantly to Metro Manila’s local output. In the service sector, transport, communication, and storage services, together with wholesale and retail trade and private services, are increasingly contributing a greater share in the region’s GDP.

Metro Manila is the single biggest market for products of many regions in Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao. It is also a main supplier of commodities to practically all the regions, as far north as the Cordilleras and as far south as the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), according to trade and industry data of the National Statistics Office (NSO).

Official data for 2000 place the average family income in Metro Manila at nearly four times that of the ARMM, the country’s poorest region. Furthermore, families living below the poverty line in Metro Manila constitute only 3.7 percent of all Filipino families living in poverty. This translates to 1.3 million persons or 4.1 percent of all individuals living in poverty. In contrast, 21 percent of all Filipinos who are not considered poor (about 10 million persons) reside in Metro Manila—confirming a long-running suspicion that the rich, more than the poor, tend to congregate in the nation’s capital.

Data of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas on the regional distribution of banks, bank loans, and deposits depict a similar trend. The NCR has 155 banking offices per city and municipality, in stark contrast to the national average of only five. Bank deposits in Metro Manila account for 70 percent of all bank deposits nationwide. When it comes to lending, banks channel a higher proportion, 85 percent, to borrowers in Metro Manila. In fact, in the boom years 1995 to 1997, just before the Asian currency crisis hit the nation, loans to the NCR exceeded deposits. In other words, savings deposited with banks outside Metro Manila tend to flow to Metro Manila borrowers, particularly when the economy is not in crisis.

Metro Manila’s local government units (LGUs) are among the few LGUs that rely least on the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA). In Makati, the IRA accounts for only 7.1 percent of the city’s total budget. The cities of Pasig, Parañaque, Manila, Mandaluyong, Pasay, Quezon, and Muntinlupa rely on IRA for less than a fourth of their total budgets. Only two LGUs in Metro Manila—Malabon and Pateros—depend on IRA for more than half their operational expenses.

Young men and women flock to Manila in the hope of finding work. But of late, Metro Manila has been losing out in the area of job creation to Southern Tagalog, specifically the Calabarzon areas, to where the factories have been relocating. As official labor force data show, net job creation in Metro Manila has lagged behind that of Southern Tagalog, Mindanao (particularly Soccsksargen and Northern Mindanao), and Central Luzon. The employment rate in Metro Manila is below the national average employment rate. Similarly, its unemployment rate, an average of 18 percent in 2004, is the highest of all regions and above the national average unemployment rate of 11 percent.

Pressures and Vulnerabilities
Its obvious power base notwithstanding, Metro Manila is not without vulnerabilities. It does not grow its own food and gets its water supply from neighboring provinces. With more than two million families and almost 10 million residents, it has one of the largest populations in the country, second only to Southern Tagalog, which has a population of 11 million.

Metro Manila’s population has increased by over four million in two decades. All of its 14 cities and three municipalities are highly urbanized and its level of population growth and urbanization poses welfare, environmental, health, and governance pressures that are likely to be magnified if Manila goes federal.

Two to four percent of Manila’s residents are considered “squatters.” According to the National Housing Authority, out of the 1,255,382 informal settlers nationwide, 716,165 or roughly 57 percent live in the NCR. In addition, more than 2,000 are “homeless.” With more than 23,000 “new households” in the past year, the annual housing backlog in Manila has reached 246,631, the largest in the country. Without any urban development plan, much less an urban land use plan, Metro Manila cannot keep expanding without widening the cracks in its walls.

While the poor of Manila are not the “poorest of the poor”—they earn twice as much as the average poor Filipino family—health, sanitation, garbage, and air pollution problems are most severe in communities where the poor abound. Metro Manila produces around 2.5 million tons of garbage per year, a quarter of the total waste produced in the entire country; only 12 percent of this is recycled. Forty percent of Manila’s garbage used to be received by the Carmona and San Mateo landfills, but since 2000, these two sites have been closed due to the demand of local residents and because they have become saturated.

Data of the Land Transportation Authority, meanwhile, reveal that in 2005, the number of registered vehicles reached 4,760,593 nationwide, representing a 10-percent increase from the previous year. More than 1.5 million of these vehicles are in Metro Manila. Although the latter have generated more than P3 billion in revenues, the proliferation of vehicles in Metro Manila has also caused unprecedented levels of air pollution. A study commissioned by the Asian Development Bank estimates that from 70 percent to 80 percent of air pollution in Metro Manila is caused by motor vehicle emissions, particularly of diesel-fueled buses and jeepneys, as well as motorized tricycles.

A recent survey by Synovate, a Hongkong-based global market research company, shows that “98 percent of residents in Manila are affected by air pollution” and “71 percent believe that the air quality has worsened over the past year.” Eighty-two percent of the survey respondents indicated that they were “experiencing irritation to their eyes, nose, and throat,” 57 percent were “having more difficulties in breathing,” and 27 percent “attributed skin problems to the pollution.”

A study on air pollution in Metro Manila published this year by the World Health Organization estimates the average concentration of substances floating in the air at about 150 micrograms per cubic meter between 1987 and 2001. This level of air pollution is very high by the country’s own standards and by international standards. Emissions of fine particulate matters in Metro Manila, while not adequately and consistently monitored, have been found to be excessive, representing a serious threat to the health of Metro Manila residents.

A Sense of Nationhood
Power clearly has its price, and it is being felt by Metro Manila’s ordinary citizens, who are increasingly finding it difficult to breathe clean air and drink safe, affordable water—in short, live decently.

If federalism were to help the country develop as a nation, it should contribute to the transformation of Metro Manila from a metropolis where power, wealth, and income are concentrated, into a region whose development is based on mutually empowering relationships with the rest of the country.

Metro Manila will need to develop healthy relationships with the other regions for food, water, and other products. It would be to their mutual benefit to do so because Metro Manila relies less on itself and more on the rest of the country as a market for its products and services. Metro Manila needs to be convinced that it needs the cooperation and mutual support from its federal co-states, just as much as the co-federal states need it.

Metro Manila governments will have to manage their waste, pollution, and environment more effectively rather than merely treating their neighbors as a convenient dumping ground. Improved governance is not enough for Metro Manila to address the rising pressures it faces from rapid urbanization. Metro Manila must help the rest of the country develop along with it.

Rather than compete with their neighbors, Metro Manila citizens and governments must look for win-win solutions to their own problems without creating problems for the rest of the country. Federalism should get Metro Manila to set its house in order, but it should not erode—on the contrary, it should develop—a sense of nationhood in the people of Metro Manila.


East Visayas: The Queen Reigns
By Jasmin Suma-oy in Cebu

For all its grumbling about economic and political matters being decided by “imperial Manila,” the province of Cebu has been the object of similar resentment from adjoining provinces in Central Visayas and, to a certain extent, the next-door region of Eastern Visayas. The jealous neighbors, however, will have to come to terms with the realities of an “imperial Cebu” if the proposed merger of Regions 7 and 8, to form the East Visayas state under a federal Philippines, is to work.
Although its natural resources are not rich enough, Cebu—the city and the province—has what it takes to shepherd the region to economic progress.

Cebu province, home to more than half of the Central Visayan population, accounts for 80 percent of the region’s industrial output. Although the province depended on its share in the national government’s tax collection for 67 percent of its 2003 budget, that dependency on the internal revenue allotment (IRA) was the lowest among provinces in the region. The IRA supported 85 percent of Negros Oriental’s expenditures, 89 percent of Bohol’s, and 96 percent of Siquijor’s.

Cebu City, the provincial capital known as the Queen City of the South, operated on a budget of over P2 billion, but only 36 percent of that came from the IRA.

Five of the eight special economic zones in Central Visayas are located in Metro Cebu and produce electronics, other industrial goods, electrical equipment, and furniture for export. The factories at the Mactan Economic Zone manufacture the bulk of the first three products, but Cebu City might be able to double that output when investors start setting up on the city’s 300-hectare South Reclamation Project.

Ninety percent of the country’s shipping companies are based in Cebu, while the capital city hosts offices of national government agencies and branches of all the Metro Manila banks.

In other words, Cebu City and the local government units surrounding Metro Cebu have all the infrastructure that propelled Metro Manila into becoming the country’s economic hub.

“If the other areas agree and acquiesce to the economic primacy of Metro Cebu and consider complementation and integration of their economies with Metro Cebu, then advances can be made,” says Paul Villarete, formerly an economic development specialist with the National Economic and Development Authority in Region 7 (Central Visayas).

“Whether we like it or not, economic output is generated by urban areas. The moment a ‘suburb’ recognized itself as such and contributed to the whole [regional economic exchange], its own development is likewise imminent,” Villarete says.

Villarete, now Cebu City’s planning and development officer, doesn’t see much difficulty in the recognition of Cebu’s supremacy within Central Visayas. The economies of the other provinces have been linked with Cebu’s for some time, he says. The difficulty—and unacceptability—might come from the proposal of federalism advocates to annex Region 8, one of the poorest regions, to Central Visayas.

Joel Mari Yu, managing director of the Cebu Investment Promotions Center, points out that Cebu’s economic growth has not been hampered by its lack of certain natural resources, like water. This is because the investors who come to Cebu, particularly those that locate in the Mactan Export Zone, are not resource-seeking investors. These are efficiency-seeking investors, who come because Cebu has the basic infrastructure and workforce to support their kind of operation.

He says Cebu may be a small island, but it does not lack the space for the kind of investment that it is looking for. Cebu’s biggest development opportunities are in foreign investments, tourism, and information and communication technology (ICT), he says. “Cebu will generate the money to buy the resources that it needs, even water.”

Indeed, Cebu is showing more potential. Foreign investments, mainly responsible for the so-called “Ceboom,” continue to come in. Fast ferries and bulk carriers have become important export products of the province after the West Cebu Industrial Park, which houses two shipbuilding companies, started operations in Balamban in 1993.

Mitsumi Cebu Inc., a manufacturer of electronic parts located in Danao City, is one of the largest single manufacturing enterprises in the country in terms of employment, having around 17,600 workers.

ICT-related enterprises are on the rise, too. Cebu has over 30 Internet Service Providers and has the highest density of Internet users in the country. IT-enabled services providers like call centers, medical transcriptions, and data digitizers also abound in the province.

The tourism- and agriculture-based economies of Bohol, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor have complemented Cebu’s industry- and technology-based economy. Between these provinces is easy access by sea.

Home-based industries, mostly of the micro and cottage types, play a vital role in Bohol’s economy.

But what is increasingly gaining influence on Bohol’s economy is tourism. Famous for its Chocolate Hills and white beaches, Bohol is fast growing as a destination of both domestic and foreign tourists.

Bohol, a major food source of Central Visayas, devotes around 45 percent of its land area to agriculture. The Ubay Stock Farm is the largest livestock-breeding center in the country. The Philippine Starch Industrial Corp. and the limestone from the Philippines Sinter Corp. export their products to Taiwan.

Negros Oriental is the leading producer of sugarcane and coconut. Thus, among its major export products are copra and sugar molasses.

Tourism is also a growing industry in Negros Oriental. Dolphin and whale watching, scuba diving, mountain trekking, and world-class golf courses are among its tourist attractions.

The province has identified two sites for special economic zone development, which if proclaimed by the President would be the first special economic zones outside Cebu. One is the Bais City Ecozone in Bais City; the other is the Polo Ecocity Special Economic Zone in the adjacent city of Tanjay.

Siquijor, the smallest province in Central Visayas, has very limited arable land. As a result, it depends on neighboring provinces for food.

Fishing and tourism, which are still underdeveloped, are the potential economic drivers of Siquijor.

The varied but complementary economic activities of these provinces have made the region the third largest contributor to the country’s trade output.

The economy of Central Visayas is dominated by services and industry, which account for not less than 29 percent and 52 percent of the region’s Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP), respectively. Industrial and consumer goods are the region’s top dollar earners.

From 1990 to 2002, the regional economy grew at an annual rate of 3.9 percent. This is higher than the national economy’s average annual growth rate of 3.2 percent for the same period. In absolute terms, Central Visayas’ GRDP increased from P47.2 billion in 1999 to P74.9 billion in 2002, or almost double in 12 years.

The 2000 Census puts the population of Central Visayas at 5.7 million, making it the country’s fifth most populous region.

The growth of the per-capita GRDP in the last 10 years is an indication that the regional economy grew faster than its population.

For Cebu’s success to be replicated in the neighboring provinces, Villarete says political leaders in these provinces should recognize their people’s entrepreneurial potentials. Cebu province is ahead economically because Cebuanos are entrepreneurs, he says.

The other factor, he says, is that Cebu’s growth is primarily led by the private sector and not by the public sector.

This is where the difficulty of merging Regions 7 and 8 comes in. “The structure of their economies is so different that we cannot transplant what is in Cebu to Region 8,” says Yu, who also served as director of the Department of Trade and Industry in Central Visayas.

He says that to try to disperse Cebu’s development to the other provinces would mean “re-engineering the entire development process” because Cebu’s potentials are different from those of Region 8’s.

Villarete notes that in the past decade or two, the poorest regions in terms of level of poverty of its population, percentage-wise, have always been Regions 5, 8, 6 and 7, in that order.

“Knowing that, we come to a realization that Region 7 itself does not place high in the ranking of richness and is even at the lower rungs in spite of the fact that it has Metro Cebu within itself. So adding a fellow ‘poor’ region to make a state will surely make it less viable economically,” he says.

Geographically, he sees that the difficulty of sustaining this part of the state will be aggravated by the fact that the economic activities of the Samar provinces have never been linked with those of Metro Cebu.

Villarete observes, however, that there could be a way of linking the two regions should it become necessary. He says Region 8’s potential is in the fact that it has a far better road transport network than Region 7—actually an unutilized asset, he says. If sea transport is improved such that economic produce can be easily transported within the Region 8 provinces and the Port of Cebu, which is an international port, then there will be improved economic activity and better output levels.

But, he says, Eastern Visayas should first concede that, in the meantime, it would have to be one of Cebu’s suburbs.


Bangsamoro: ‘Make It A Freeport Zone’
By Lala Rimando

WHEN ASKED if they want the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) to become a federal state, political and business leaders from the region, most of them Muslims, gave an overwhelming “Yes!”
ARMM is composed of the provinces of Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao in mainland Mindanao, and the island provinces of Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi. Business and political leaders interviewed for this story were attending in late June the 4th ARMM Business Council in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, the easternmost island province of the region.

But the key question is, can ARMM afford to be economically independent? If current numbers are an indication, the answer is no. The region is too dependent on the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA). In fact, different cities and municipalities rely on IRA for as much as 90 to 100 percent of their total fiscal needs.

Many Tawi-tawi residents bemoan the fact that the IRA that the province gets is only P5 million to P6 million or 5-6 percent of the region’s P300 million internal revenue allotment.

Therefore, how can the region, one of the poorest in the country, fend for itself under a federal setup?

For the Mindanao Business Council (MBC), it is best if the entire Mindanao turns into a federal state and ARMM will just become part of it. It would be big enough to survive economically, and independent enough to chart its own course. This is the form of federalism that the council has been advocating.

Ricardo Juliano, a trustee of the MBC, says ARMM will be too weak to start on its own. According to the regional development plan of the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda), ARMM is home to about 2.9 million people, of whom about 72 percent live below the poverty threshold. The literacy rate of 73 percent is significantly lower than the national literacy rate of 92 percent, and is attributed to factors such as low family income, distance of schools from the residents, poor health and nutritional status. Also, nearly half of its national roads are still unpaved, and only about half of total households have electricity.

Underground Economy
But should ARMM be made a separate federal state, there are economic opportunities that can help it stand on its own. It can freely trade with neighboring countries like Malaysia and Indonesia. This is especially true for the people in the island provinces of Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi.

According to Tawi-Tawi Gov. Hadji Sadikul Sahali, going to nearby Sabah, Malaysia, is just like visiting close relatives. There is a lot of undocumented cross-border trading. “It is physically impossible for Customs people to check on these trades because they lack personnel and are located in Bongao or in Zamboanga. It doesn’t make sense to them why the traders have to go all the way to these Customs offices when they are just a breath away from their trading destination.”

Sahali proposes making these areas a free port to legalize the underground economy. He says that if ARMM becomes a federal state, it can independently negotiate with its neighbors.

A trader who plies this route told NEWSBREAK that in Sabah, two of the ports of entry they frequent are Tawao and Sampulan. By wooden hull, Tawao is about 12 to 15 hours away from Bongao. (Zamboanga, a trading center nearest the island provinces of ARMM, is about 30 hours away.) Sitangkay, the easternmost island of Tawi-Tawi and where seaweed farmers abound, is only about one to three hours away from Sabah.

Besides the distance, traders enjoy a higher price for their seaweed products at Tawao. Buying prices there are at least five percent more than what their buyers from Zamboanga offer. There is a big seaweed processing plant in Tawao.

They also sell various Filipino products, such as beauty products made by RDL Inc. and Splash Corp. Their whitening products are in demand in Indonesia. Traders sometimes brave 90 to 100 hours of travel, or three days, to go to Sulawesi to deliver these items. If the order is not immediate, they bring it to Tawao, from where it is subsequently shipped to Sulawesi via a commercial boat. Traders sometimes travel all the way to Sulawesi and to Tawao with up to 1,500 boxes of beauty products. One box contains about 144 bottles.

From the sales, they bring home with them Malaysian commodities, such as rice, sugar, biscuits, and palm oil. These are up to 30 percent cheaper than those they can get from Zamboanga. Malaysian rice is cheaper and of higher quality, while the palm oil is way cheaper at only P540 per bottle in Malaysia, compared to Zamboanga’s going rate of P700 per bottle. Even if retailers from Tawi-Tawi add a three-percent mark up to these commodities, the prices are still considerably low and more affordable.

The trader says that unlike the Philippines, Malaysia understands and appreciates the trading activities. In fact, in Tawao, there is a separate port for international vessels and another one exclusively for Filipino and Indonesian traders. The latter has a complete system for customs, immigration and quarantine requirements.

Raw Materials
ARMM can also be economically independent by harnessing its natural resources. Economic activities in the region are predominantly in agriculture, fishery, and forestry, which account for 60 percent of the region’s total economy. ARMM is endowed with favorable climate, and its mainland provinces are blessed with wide forest area and fertile valleys.

The fertile soil of Maguindanao and Lanao is suitable for large-scale plantations. There are already numerous industries in the region such as banana production, corn and cassava starch processing, coco-oil milling, and plywood and wood product making.

Antonio Santos, MBC chairman, said he recently invited investors from Saudi Arabia and Iran who were very impressed by the quality of the soil. However, the investments did not push through because of apprehensions about the peace and order situation.

The island provinces, for their part, have long stretches of coastline where offshore fishery is abundant. In fact, while General Santos City in the mainland is considered the tuna capital of the Philippines, most of the tuna are actually caught in the waters of Sulu.

Seaweed farming is also a dominant activity in these island provinces, especially in Tawi-Tawi. Fresh and dried seaweeds produced in the deep and shallow seas of these island groups make the Philippines the biggest producer of seaweeds in the world.

However, all these agricultural and fishery products currently make ARMM a mere raw material supplier. To add value, they need to be processed so they can be sold and marketed to the end users.

Several factors explain why ARMM has not graduated from being a raw material supplier. Pre- and post-harvest facilities are inadequate, mainly because of the high cost of inputs; poor marketing and inadequate infrastructure support and facilities, like farm to market roads; and low level of investment because of the unstable peace and order situation.

Power Cost
But the main culprit is the high cost of power. This is evident in the three island provinces. Because of geographic limitations, they are served with very expensive off-grid sources, like barges and drums of diesel. End users pay P8 to P9 per kilowatt hour, a far cry from the estimated P4 per kilowatt hour paid by those in Zamboanga.

The cost is high because of high system losses and low collection efficiency. For every 1,000-kilowatt hour power sold by Napocor, only 6,000 kilowatts reach the users, and of this, only 300 kilowatt hours is collected. Thus, intermittent power interruptions are experienced, a nightmare for power-hungry processing plants for seaweed and other products.

To address this, residents and potential industrial players have been buying diesel worth only P11 per liter in Sabah. About 80 percent of the cost of power is from the cost of diesel.

Don Loong, Sulu provincial administrator, says this price is far cheaper than the going rate of P30 per liter that Napocor supplies them in barges and drums. “If we are allowed to buy our diesel from Malaysia without intervention from the national government, we can cut into half our power cost—from P9 to about P4.50. Imagine what that can do to our attractiveness to investors. They would now want to put up their processing plants here. It is very strategic because they will be near the sources of the raw materials.”

Other sources of power are being explored. There is a deposit of natural gas in the Liguasan Marsh in Maguindanao, which when harnessed can be used to supply power to mainland ARMM and can also be sold for a profit to other parts of Mindanao. There is a potential oil source in the Tawi-Tawi waters which will soon be drilled by a consortium of investors to check if the supply is commercially viable.

A study shows that Tawi-Tawi is an ideal site for a windmill, another source of low-cost power.

The availability of low-cost power may not only pave the way for the entry of investors in processing plants for seaweeds and other commodities, but also in cold storage facilities. These will make it possible for investors to directly export fish without sending it to General Santos and Zamboanga.

Another infrastructural concern that needs to be addressed is the road and sea transport within the ARMM provinces. At present, there is an international port in Malang, Maguindanao, Polloc Port. It was originally envisioned to be the regional agri-industrial center for ARMM. Raw material and processed goods from Maguindanao, Lanao and Cotabato can be shipped from there, en route to Luzon or Visayas, or to international markets.

Currently, these goods are brought all the way to Davao for shipment. Malang says that under a federal state, ARMM need not have to wait for the national government to develop the economic potentials of the port.

Taxes
Another potential source of economic activity is tourism. The island provinces can develop some resorts for diving enthusiasts, like how Malaysia packaged its remote islands. Currently, tourism prospects are dampened by poor infrastructure facilities and perception problems.

All these may remain a dream if the region will just depend on its own resources. To be financially independent, one important source of funds will be the donor community and the multilateral agencies.

Business and political leaders told NEWSBREAK they will leverage their being a conflict area on its way to becoming economically independent. Sulu’s Loong says that federalism will enable ARMM to source funds from the ODAs and the donor communities.

These sources of funds will have to be complemented by taxes collected locally. Within the 10-year transition period for ARMM proposed by federalist scholar Jose Abueva, the industries and economic activities are expected to improve employment statistics and per capita income. At the moment, the tax base is very low. Many Muslims do not pay their property taxes because they justify that it was Allah himself who gave them their land. Thus, strategies that need to be implemented include a proper accounting of the tax base of the region.

I posted the above newsbreak articles somewhere.

also,

You need to distinguish between ira and what the region gets in general. Ira goes directly to the lgu to spend, but many line items are paid for directly by the Nat. Gov. So it's misleading to use this as an argument that mindanao is not getting it's proportional share.

I posted the above newsbreak articles somewhere.

also,

You need to distinguish between ira and what the region gets in general. Ira goes directly to the lgu to spend, but many line items are paid for directly by the Nat. Gov. So it's misleading to use this as an argument that mindanao is not getting it's proportional share.

Agree, like Education (teachers salary), social services, new national roads, bridges and maintenance, electrification, telecoms, etc.. they are paid directly by the national government.

china & other SEA countries are also as corrupt as the phils, but why did they manage to go up??!! :(

im also in favor of chaRTER change, but changing the economic provisions should be the priority first

:)

I agree.

China is very corrupt, just as if not more so yet they've been growing like crazy.

A number of things of course go their way. Their growth is investement led not consumption led like ours, so when people feel bad there it doesn't matter if they stop buying good, the local and foreign companies invest in factories that export , etc. anyway.

The huge market is such an attraction that they can get economies of scale for anything they build thus leading to more efficiencies.

Their social strucutre for the longest time is communist. Hence no strong entrenched local regional elites (they did suffer this too in the early 1900's) can waylay the top national government. Plus the people at the top have long march survivors who will not stand for corruption, specially in a capitalist sense (they're willing to promote their relatives to jobsthough ) so the group , while homogenous, checks and balances themselves to stay on the true path.

China is not a federal state, it's actually a command and control economy, has been for most of it's history (the empire remeber). Anyway their legendary adminsitrations skills aside, it's their strong institutions which are able to guide the country and more importatnly PROTECT IT FROM LOCAL CONSITUENCIES, exactly what federalization in not about. They'e willing to sacrifice parts of the country in a grand plan, letting other places prosper more, for the sake of the country as a whole. Hence the rich coastal areas over the poor hinterland.

in other words, they have a very liberal economic policies that attracted huge amounts of FDI, a 5 year tax free profit is just one thing, then low power rates, low wages, & yes a communist social structure, so people arent hard-headed to resort to rallying in the streets :)

yes china is amazingly open for an economy which is:
1) developing
2) immense size

they don't have to but in spectacular breakneck fashion , akin to meiji restoration till ww2 Japan, they're trying to catch up in big way and welcoming anyone.

Check out the latest economist, very insightful I think. It talks about this pheonomena and what it means to us and the rest of the world.

But sa totoo lang, we're still ahead in a lot of things.

for example i can say.

falun gong, mao tse tong sucks, the communist party members are a-holes, and no one will arrest me for it.

aside from this , for all their 1 bilio plus people, they come yearly to our export fairs to copy our furniture, jewelry, handicraft design whcih they can not come up with, iyun lang nga they then make 1000 times more at 10% of the price and sell it to walmart:)

besides, kahit na anong gula sa rally sa streets , at least parang piesta , masaya

ConCon or ConAss? Federal advocates meet
Aug 13-14 in DC
Mindanews / 01 August 2005

DAVAO CITY – Constitutional Convention (ConCon)? Constituent Assembly (ConAss)? ConAss with a CitConConCom (Citizens Consultative Constitutional Commission) ? ConCon with a CitConConCom?

Which method will be the best to amend the Constitution to shift to a federal state of government?

Chito Gavino, provincial coordinator of Lihuk Pideral Dabaw, said the meeting of the national directorate of the Citizens Movement for a Federal Philippines (CMFP) on August 13 and 14 will get advocates of federalism to decide which would be the best way.

“It’s going to be a hot debate,” he said, as he refered to those favoring ConAss as a “minority.”

Gavino said Congress convening itself into a ConAss would spell more delay for their advocacy since the majority of the senators still favor a ConCon.

As a constituent assembly, the votes of 18 senators are needed to propose any amendment to the Charter, while a vote of only 16 senators is needed to approve the calling for a constitutional convention.

The 1st Mindanao Political Leaders summit on July 12 proposed a shift to a federal form of government through a ConAss.

The decision disappointed members of the CMFP, to which Lihuk Pideral Dabaw belongs.

Gavino said the danger of ChaCha through ConAss lies within the House Committee on Constitutional Amendments itself because its chair, Rep. Constantito Jaraula, has proposed a draft of the proposed new Constitution initiating a shift to the parliament first, then after ten years, the members of the parliament will study if the shift to a federal system is more feasible to adopt.

A ¾ page paid advertisement in a national newspaper last Sunday, purportedly coming from the Coalition of Citizens for Charter Change Now! urged Congress to amend the Constitution in “60 –90 days” through ConAss.

It also urged President Arroyo to form a Citizens Consultative Constituional Commission (CitConConCom) “so that citizens, civil society, the private sector and local authorities can take part in discussion on the proposed amendments.”

But Rey Teves, Lihuk Pideral chair and one of 14 alleged signatories of the paid ad, said he did not give any consent for his name to be used in the paid ad, especially since he favors a ConCon.

He acknowledged that he is for a CitConConCom to make the draft Constitution for submission either to the ConCon or the ConAss.

The 13 other alleged signatories are Antonio Eduardo Nachura, Lito Monico Lorenzana, Carmen N. Pedrosa, Fernando Pena, Lito Jimenez, Eliseo Ocampo, Francis Manglapus, Amado Lagdameo, Jr. Camilo Sabio, Jose Abueva, Ambassador Jose Romero, Amado Valdez and Mariano Magsalin, Jr.

Abueva, Lorenzana and Sabio could not be reached for comment. But Teves told MindaNews it appears like the three were also surprised to see their names in the paid ad.

Switzerland backs shift to federalism

The oldest federal state in the world has heeded the call of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo for a change in the country’s form of government and has agreed to sponsor a high-level workshop on federalism.

Switzerland will conduct the workshop in Manila to help Filipino lawmakers go about Charter Change, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Jose Brillantes said.

“The workshop will be very timely and significant since a shift to parliamentary-federal government has been mentioned by President Arroyo in her State of the Nation Address,” Brillantes said.

The DFA official spoke with Switzerland Ambassador Lise Favre during the celebration of the 714th Anniversary of the Swiss Confederation held at the Peninsula Manila where the latter confirmed the holding of the workshop in October.

“The Swiss government is actually the first to respond to the interest expressed by several sectors in shifting to the federal system of government[.] Switzerland, after all, is the oldest existing federal state in the world today,” Brillantes said.

The high-level workshop on federalism and multiculturalism will be jointly sponsored by the National College of Public Administration and Governance of the University of the Philippines and the Institute of Federalism of the University of Fribourg.

“The workshop should add to the voices of scholarship and experience to the current discussion on federalism,” Brillantes added, noting that a team of government officials also went [to] Switzerland last year to study the latter’s federal form of government.

Switzerland has been a very active partner of the Philippines biletarally, including government-to-government cooperation on the Swiss accounts of former dictator Ferdinand Marcos.

On the economic front, bilateral trade grew by 36 percent last year, reaching $329 million in 2004 from the $210 million volume in 2003.

The United States government has also expressed its vote of confidence to the planned shift to federalism as announced by Ms. Arroyo in her Sona two weeks ago. Joyce Pangco Pañares

source (http://www.manilastandardonline.com/?page=politics02_aug05_2005)

Constitutional convention will do but it should be Constitunional Assembly.....for me.

The centrist dictatorial regime of Marcos started all the troubles that the country is suffering now. War in Muslim Mindanao, NPA conflict in some areas and the neglect to provinces whose local officials were opposing his regime.
People affected by conflicts and neglect, came to Metro Manila to find jobs.

Also, the governments head offices, big private corporations are based in Metro Manila. Customs collection, income taxes goes to Metro Manila. Provincial bank deposits goes to Metro Manila. Everything goes to Metro Manila. So what would you expect to happen for Metro Manila? The population estimate for Metro Manila for year 2005 is 16,610,000. The gap is so big, very big if compared to regional capital cities. Is this the ideal population distribution for the Republic of the Philippines? Don't we have other capable cities that can be developed so Metro Manila can be decongested?

It is a fact that our regional capitals are far behind compared to the state capitals of the Federation of Malaysia. Blame it again to the 'centrist system of 'imperial manila'. So how can we equalize without the system in place.
Federalism in my opinion would make Metro Manila a livable place simply because the population growth is minimized. :runaway:

Decongest Metro Manila Now! Let's go PARLIAMENTARY/FEDERAL! :bash:

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a340/Jimbu/StatesofVisayas.jpg

Federal system supporters to meet in Davao City
First posted 09:06am (Mla time) Aug 08, 2005
By
Inquirer News Service

DAVAO CITY -- Leaders of the Citizens Movement for a Federal Philippines (CMFP) in 15 regions will gather here on August 13-14 to come up with a common stand on the proposed Charter change.

The majority of the CMFP members are in favor of Charter change by way of a constitutional convention.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo proposed Charter amendments through a constituent assembly during her State of the Nation Address in July.

Archbishop Chito Gavino, Lihuk Pideral-CMFP provincial convenor, said at least 40 CMFP leaders from all over the country were expected to attend the meeting. "[The] CMFP will make a unanimous decision on whether to support Cha-cha through con-con [constitutional convention] or through con-ass [constituent assembly]."

He said the CMFP would discuss the issue on the composition of the consultative committee, which the President would form to draft a new Charter.

Some members said those who would be appointed to sit in the committee might draft changes for a purely parliamentary form of government.

In Mati town, Davao Oriental province, Mohammed Ali Hanapia Manuel, vice president of the Ulama League of the Philippines, said moves for federalism should be supported.

Abueva’s Can of Worms
By Antonio Abaya

Watching former UP President Jose Abueva on television and reading him in print, extolling the virtues of federalism and how it is going to solve our problems, what strikes me most about him is not an air of scholarly erudition, which he does not display, but more of the naivete of an absent-minded professor in the unfamiliar role of a snake-oil salesman trying to sell a cure-all.

I had written in my article “Federalism No Panacea” (July 26, 2005) that geography and history argue against a federal union.

I brought out the fact that the Philippines, like Japan and Indonesia, is an archipelagic country made up thousands of islands. There were/are good practical reasons why both Japan and Indonesia chose to become unitary states, not federal unions: islands or groups of islands are more vulnerable than contiguous land masses to centrifugal forces that will cause them to “flee from the center” (the meaning of the word “centrifugal”), and choose to become independent states at the prompting of the loudest local rabble-rouser.

My friend Tonypet Araneta, who also frowns on federalism, emailed to add Greece to the list of archipelagic countries, and it is a unitary state, not a federal union. But, like most unitary states, it uses the parliamentary, not presidential, system of government.

The fact is Professor Abueva, for all his erudition, cannot name one single archipelagic country that chose to become a federal union. The closest would be Malaysia. But, as I pointed out in my article, what became Malaysia was already a collection of functioning quasi-states ruled by local sovereigns even before the British came to colonize it. So a federal union was a logical choice at independence.

Besides, the bulk of Malaysia’s population live and have lived in Peninsular Malaysia, which cannot be considered an archipelago. The small part of Malaysia that is on the island of Kalimantan or Borneo are sparsely populated enclaves peopled by different ethnic groups, but rich in natural resources, which made them desirable appendages to the Malaysian federal union.

For all his erudition, Professor Abueva also does explain why, as I pointed out in my article, the Philippine Republic that was born out of the Revolution of 1896 established a unitary state, not a federal union.

Or why, when these islands came under American colonial rule after 1898, the American colonial administrators retained the unitary polity and did nothing to move it toward a federal union, “even though their own historical experience since 1776 was based on the bedrock of federalism.”

Even the Commonwealth that the Americans established in 1935 was a unitary state, not a federal union.

There must have been a practical reason for these. Federalists cannot cite the growth in population. Otherwise, why did Japan, Indonesia, France, Spain, Italy, Sweden, Greece, Norway, Poland, China, Korea, Thailand, etc — all unitary states — not switch to federal unions when their populations grew?

Could it be that the Filipino revolutionaries of 1896 and the American colonial rulers after 1898, aware of our unique geography, had more practical commonsense than do absent-minded professors peddling snake-oil cure-alls?

Professor Abueva is unwittingly opening a can of worms that he would be hard put to close even after the worms have crawled out and away.

While most of those who reacted to my article were supportive, the sole contrary one has to be reprinted here, even in part, to give Abueva and his federalists an idea of the disaster they are naively promoting. The email from Erineo Cabahug (a Cebuano name) of the Bronx, New York, will be reprinted in whole in www.tapatt.org. Below are excerpts from it:

“Dear Mr. Abaya. I do agree that Federalism is no panacea for the Philippines. It is just a temporary remedy for the inevitable. To my mind, historical and economic facts point toward the inevitability of independence, especially for Mindanao.

“Mindanao independence was once purely a concern of our Muslim brothers. However, many Christians are now entertaining, if not embracing, the idea. They have seen how the Philippines has been mismanaged, on one hand, and how Muslim countries like Malaysia have progressed, on the other hand.

(There is a non-sequitur here. Malaysia may have progressed, but most other Muslim countries have not: Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Egypt, Sudan, Chad, Nigeria, Niger, etc. ACA.)

“Christians now realize that, like Malaysia, Mindanao can become a pluralistic society of Muslims and other religious and ethnic groups There is a growing realization that, whether they like it or not, they share common aspirations with their Muslim brothers because Mindanao is their home.”

(You may sing that tune now, but will you still sing it if the Islamists win total control of Mindanao — plus Sulu, Tawi-Tawi and Palawan — as they have in the past said they want to? After all, the Christians in Mindanao are mere descendants of 19th and 20th century immigrants from Cebu, Bohol, Panay and Ilocos. They were not original Mindanao inhabitants. How do you know the Islamists really consider Christians their brothers? In the two (of 13) Malaysian states controlled by Islamists, sharia law is now imposed on everyone, including non-Muslims. How would you like to live under sharia law? ACA)

“In half a century, Mindanao was stripped of natural resources which were barely touched, even by foreign colonizers, for 400 years. So rapacious was the central government that Mindanao barely has anything to show for it, except denuded forests.”

(Mindanao was untouched for 400 years because Islam is a religion of “submission,” which is the meaning of the word “islam.” The conquest of nature to raise standards of living is a Christian concept that came with Christian immigrants from the Visayas and Luzon, not necessarily or solely from the central government in Manila. Your ancestors are not entirely blameless for the rape of Mindanao. If they had their way, the Islamists will not spare your relatives. ACA)

“They have also seen how nothing has been done to promote indigenous cultures, languages and religions, including their own Cebuano, Boholano, Ilonggo or Ilocano heritage. They have seen that the central government in Manila only coined slogans like ‘Nationalism’ or ‘Patriotism’ for its own selfish ends. Manila never had genuine concern for Maranaos, Tausugs, or even Cebuanos and Karay-as.”

(There used to be a Cebuano film industry, but it died a natural death, not because Imperial Manila arrogantly snuffed it out, but because not enough people paid good money to watch its films, even in Cebuano-speaking areas. The dominance of Tagalog-based Pilipino is the natural outgrowth of its economic dominance, especially in radio, TV and the movies, not because of the demonic desire to impose it on others through the school system. I can barely recall anything of pure Tagalog that I learned in grade school.)

(The crocodile tears over linguistic imperialism leaves me totally cold. My brothers and sisters grew up in a tri-lingual family. Our father, who was from Laguna, spoke to us in Tagalog. Our mother, who was from Cagayan de Oro, spoke to us in Cebuano or Bisaya. When some of us were abroad, we corresponded with each other in English. In addition, my wife, who is from Zamboanga City, can speak Chavacano, but does not do so since nobody else in our household can).

Reader Cabahug’s letter, which will appear in full in www.tapatt.org., is the best argument against federalism.

With a mother from Cagayan de Oro and a wife from Zamboanga, both undoubtedly descendants from immigrants from Cebu and Luzon, respectively, I am more than 50 percent Mindanaoan, so I should sympathize with the outpourings of reader Cabahug and swallow the federalist snake-oil from Professor Abueva, but I do not, because my loyalty is to the Republic of the Philippines and the more universal Republic of Commonsense.

Is anybody familiar with Tonypet Araneta? Is he a heavyweight political thinker that he can afford to smirk at the proposed federal system. Has he published any book or dissertation on the subject matter? Or is he just a nobody whose last name happens to be Araneta? If he is a nonentity and just a friend, then Abaya surely lost a lot of points with his argument.

An issue had arisen one time when Reagan was asked where he usually base his foreign policies. His answer was the Reader's Digest.

‘Cha-cha will make JDV prime minister’
By Jess Diaz
The Philippine Star 08/20/2005

Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. would become prime minister in six months under the Cha-cha (Charter change) plan that the House of Representatives is pursuing, the leader of the opposition in the chamber claimed yesterday.

"There’s no doubt about it. JDV will be the PM or prime minister of President Arroyo under this diversionary Cha-cha blueprint revealed by the Speaker in a news conference on Thursday," Minority Leader Francisco Escudero told reporters.

He said Mrs. Arroyo’s allies resurrected Cha-cha this week to divert public attention away from the impeachment proceedings against her.

He said while De Venecia would become the most or second most powerful leader, depending on the parliamentary system that would be adopted, Vice President Noli de Castro would be reduced to being an ordinary MP, or member of parliament.

The Speaker has, on several occasions in the past, announced he was not interested in becoming prime minister.

Escudero said under the plan outlined by De Venecia, the nation could shift to the parliamentary system upon the ratification of the proposed Charter changes in January or February with the conversion of the present Congress that is composed of the Senate and the House into a parliament.

"That means that the Speaker can automatically become prime minister. Senate President Franklin Drilon and other senators will become ordinary members of parliament," he added.

Escudero pointed out that, even if the combined membership of the Senate and the House, when converted into a parliament, elects the prime minister, De Venecia would win the post since allies of the Speaker and Mrs. Arroyo would dominate the new one-chamber legislature.

"In other words, nothing will change. The constitutional reforms they are talking about won’t really alter the political landscape and the political culture. It will be the same dog with a different collar," he stressed.

In fact, it will be worse, Escudero said, "since Cha-cha will kill the present system of checks and balances by killing the Senate."

"There’s one more post that will be abolished, that of Vice President Noli, who, like Senator Drilon and other senators, will become an MP," he said.

Under the Cha-cha plan of the House, if Congress were not converted into a parliament, the nation would shift to the parliamentary system with the election of a new parliament in June 2007.

As for Mrs. Arroyo, one proposal is to allow her to finish her term in 2010 with her powers undiminished, though she would be assisted by a prime minister in running the government.

This setup is the same as the French style parliamentary system that the late President Ferdinand Marcos experimented on in the 1980s. His prime minister then - in fact, the country’s first and only PM - was Cesar Virata, who was concurrently finance minister.

Another proposal is for Mrs. Arroyo to become a ceremonial president or head of state, like the queen of England, with the prime minister as the head of government similar to Britain’s Tony Blair.

De Castro, along with the 12 senators elected with him and the President in May last year, would continue on as a member of parliament until his term expires, also in 2010.

As for Drilon and other senators who began their term of office in 2001, they will end their terms in 2007 either as members of the Senate or as MPs, in case the nation shifts to the parliamentary system upon the ratification of proposed constitutional amendments.

De Venecia told reporters on Thursday that the House would begin proposing Charter changes in October, finish the proposals by November and submit them to the people for ratification or rejection in a plebiscite in January or February.

He said congressmen would prefer sitting with senators in a constituent assembly (con-ass) to recommend constitutional amendments, but if the latter refuse, as they have repeatedly in the past, the House would go ahead with its Cha-cha plan without the Senate.

However, he revealed that he has received assurances from Senators Edgardo Angara, Juan Ponce Enrile and Richard Gordon that they would attend the planned con-ass and support Cha-cha.

By the Speaker’s count, con-ass would need the votes of 195 House members, or three-fourths of the 260 combined membership of the two chambers of Congress, to propose Charter changes.

He argued that the Constitution merely requires that constitutional amendments be proposed by a "three-fourths vote of all members of Congress," and not by a three-fourths vote of the membership of each chamber.

Escudero expressed surprise over the interpretation of the pertinent provision of the Constitution by De Venecia, Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Constantino Jaraula, who chairs the committee on constitutional amendments, and other congressmen.

He reminded his colleagues that the 1986 Constitutional Commission, which wrote the Constitution, intended Congress to be a two-chamber legislature.

He said the interpretation of the Speaker and others would negate the system of checks and balances and render the Senate useless.

Drilon and other senators have said the House would just be wasting its time and precious taxpayers’ money by proceeding with Cha-cha without the agreement or cooperation of the Senate.

Even Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago, a staunch Arroyo ally, is of the view that the House cannot go it alone. She said congressmen insisting on this assertion "should consult a psychiatrist."

NOTA BENE: I highlighted Con-ASS. It seemed apropos.

I don't know... A lot of these people sound like con-men... Definitely many of them seem like con-asses.

^^ :okay:

:lol: :rofl: :lol: :rofl: :lol: :rofl: :lol: :rofl: :lol: :rofl: :lol:

To tell you the truth, I think a re-alignment of the government could actually work. But in order for it to be credible, there needs to be a way to guarantee proportional representation and a way to prevent political dynasties from happening. I still believe that a bicameral legislature is essential so that you can have more direct democracy. It's the way that decisions are made and how representation is allocated that needs to be streamlined.

There are several working parliaments that are bicameral. For instance, I very much appreciate the German system-- it is a federation of states that is separated into two houses. One of them is regionally based and the other is party-based. The regionally based one, I believe is the upper house, with senators/ministers that are directly elected by the regions. The other is proportionally determined by party (you don't vote for the legislators, you vote for the party). This second house works much like the Canadian parliament and the British House of Commons, except has more proportional representation.

I fear that with a unicameral system that people like the current proponents of the CON-ASS are proposing, leadership will be extremely miopic and won't be able to be held accountable for their decisions because the patronage/padrino system will still exist.

I don't think they should rush this as they seem to be doing. This is pretty serious stuff that has implications for generations to come.

The German model indeed sounds good. The problem, though, is in the Philippines, parties are not defined based on clear political philosophy or economic platform. They exist merely for the convenience of the politicians. That is why turncoatism is so prevalent. So, the people are still left voting based on personalities. Perhaps, the Philippines should just go by regional and sectoral representation so that these interests are represented in the legislative body.

I think all we need is to get rid of Senate. Don't bother with Federalism nor parliament.

^^ and scrap pork barrel.

I agree with scrapping pork barrel. These moneys should go directly to development projects in the regions than having to pass through these congressmen's hands who act that these moneys were being given gratuitously to the people out of their own so-called "magnanimity". This really fosters padrino system, utang na loob and patronage politics.

^ very true. haayy..ang gulo talaga ng politics.

hehe makes life interesting, happens all over too

Arroyo adviser says Palawan execs want federal state
By Carla P. Gomez Inquirer News Service Aug 19, 2005

BACOLOD CITY -- Some Palawan officials are against the inclusion of their province in any regional grouping because they want to eventually come up with a single federal state.

Rafael Coscolluela, presidential adviser for Western Visayas, yesterday revealed that Palawan Representative Antonio Alvarez (first district) was among the Palaweños who believe that the island-province could stand on its own and would not need to be part of a region because of its rich natural resources, like the Malampaya gas fields.

The Malampaya fields are expected to bring to Palawan some P1.2 billion in annual income representing its share in government revenues from the project.

Inaugurated in 2001, the project is expected to generate $13 billion in revenues over the next 20 years.

Palawan residents and officials have been fighting the national government in court for over two years now to compel the latter to fulfill its commitment to give to the province 40 percent of what it will earn from Malampaya.

The government, under the Arroyo administration, has reneged on this commitment and insists that Palawan has no right over the gas fields because they are not within the province’s territorial jurisdiction.

A compromise agreement pending resolution by the Supreme Court will provide for an initial release of P370 million to Palawan, Coscolluela said.

However, discussions are still under way on how the P370 million will be distributed in Palawan, he said.

There was an agreement in principle that part of the amount would be used to finance the new airport of Palawan, he added.

Coscolluela said that it was Alvarez who had informed the President that the provincial officials would like to see the establishment of a federal state of Palawan.

This, however, will all depend on whether the Constitution would be amended to transform the present presidential system to a parliamentary-federal form of government, Coscolluela added.

Palawan was supposed to have been officially transferred from Region 4-B (Mimaropa) to Western Visayas (Region 6) starting yesterday. The move was deferred indefinitely because of strong opposition from the Palaweños.

The provincial board has passed a resolution opposing Ms Arroyo’s directive to include Palawan in Region 6 without consultation, prompting the President to hold its implementation in abeyance.

Coscolluela said some line agencies had expressed opposition to the move as it could entail added responsibility to them.

In the case of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, for example, Palawan’s inclusion in Western Visayas would mean that seven additional Community Environment and Natural Resources Offices (CENROs) would be placed under Region 6, on top of its existing 12 CENROs, he said.

RP guvs to visit Cebu today to talk on federalism
Aug. 30, 2005

Governors from 79 provinces all over the country are in Cebu today to talk more about federalism.

With that, Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia is taking the opportunity to raise federalism as one issue that could be used against the move to break up Cebu.

She said the governors decided last Aug. 11 to have today’s special meeting on federalism, after receiving suggestions on the issue from other sectors, “mostly from the academe.”

“Perhaps it’s also time for those of us who are actually involved in this business of governance to carefully sift through the issues, evaluate the impact of federalism on us provinces, and perhaps come up with a possible model for federalism that takes into consideration existing political infrastructure and bureaucracy,” Garcia said yesterday.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

excerpts from the article:

+ With the many promised gains federalism brings, lawmakers should look at the cost federalism will have on poorer provinces that may not be able to stand on their own.

+ “We go back to the basic argument, why break up Cebu? We are strong as it is because we are one. Look at the poorer provinces and realize that these are in fact poor because they are small new provinces that were hastily created and now must try to cope,” said Cebu Gov. Garcia.

+ “Why are these provinces poor? Because they are small. Why are they small? Because they broke up from what used to be an existing province. They were dismembered, we have del nortes, del surs and occidentals left and right... So maybe, perhaps, small provinces can start thinking about re-integrating and becoming whole once again,” she added.

Gov't studies transfer of Malacañang to Clark

TAGUM CITY -- A study is being conducted on the possibility of transferring Malacañang to Clark, Pampanga along with most of the government centers, said Presidential Assistant for New Government Centers Rodolfo del Rosario.

Del Rosario said his office adjusted with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's plan for a transitory government from presidential to parliamentary-federal system.

The Palace official claimed some changes from the original plan of transferring government centers from Metro Manila to some of the key cities in the Visayas and Mindanao, though still very much aligned with Arroyo's vision.

Del Rosario admitted that with the looming political as well as economic crisis being experience at this time, the Office for New Government Centers and its programs are not given full-blown attention.

"We recognize that government agencies are really on a belt-tightening situation and we can not push them to transfer," he said.

The new cabinet secretary, who is also the former governor of Davao del Norte, claimed that the government is highly prioritizing other things, with less focus on the transfer of government centers.

"But it doesn't mean that the Office of New Government Centers is on vacation this time. We are working on the feasibility of transferring the seat of government to Clark," he said.

Del Rosario stressed that the very purpose of creating this move is to decongest Metro Manila, as manifested in Arroyo's 10-point agenda.

"We are trying to see the effectiveness of bringing Malacañang and most of the central offices in the government outside Manila."

Although he explained that initial plans of transferring the Department of Agriculture to Mindanao as well as the Department of Tourism to Cebu City would still push through.

"We will no longer transfer the whole of the central office to Mindanao, however, a satellite office will be built where the Undersecretary will hold office," he said.

This, del Rosario said, was all in-line with Arroyo's plan for a transitory government.

"Time will come when our government system will turn to federal and with this set-up, having satellite offices would definitely help prepare Mindanao and Visayas to govern their own states," he added. (Sun.Star Davao/Sunnex)

I agree on Federalism..
WHY?
1. Each city will now use their own income.
2. In contrast to #1, it is easier to spot those "korakot" officials because each city uses its own income so pag medyo di mag-develop ang certain city, we could conclude that the official of that city is corrupt. :)

I agree federalism would be good.... since the nation's budget is held by the centralised govt... almost all infrastructure devt,.. is centered on metro manila,... with a federal govt. this money can now be dispersed...

I'am a little scared of a parliamentary system,... that would put too much power with the political parties... remember the time when danding cojuangco almost had hilario davide removed because he had control over congress.. aside from being a multi millionaire danding has his own poltical party not to mention two sons and a nephew who are congressmen themselves,... danding is a negrense I respect his work ethos and good management skills, but then too much power does corrupt...

Oh speaking of negros... did you guys know that negros occidental is the only phil province to have ever been a republic,.. it's first and only president was gen. juan araneta,.... yes hes grandsons were the ones who built araneta coliseum,... and bianca araneta and mar roxas are among his descendants....lol

House tackles Cha-cha this week
By Mike Frialde
The Philippine Star 09/26/2005

The House committee on constitutional amendments will tackle the controversial issue of Charter change this week following the committee report on the resolution calling for a constituent assembly as the mode of amending the 1987 Constitution.

"There are several resolutions calling for the convening of the constituent assembly, but they have all been consolidated in one committee report which we are set to present in the plenary," said Rep. Douglas Cagas, committee vice chairman.

Cagas said plenary discussions on Charter change (Cha-cha) should begin now that the House has completed the impeachment process.

"The discussions on Charter change have long been overdue. We believe it is time for us to debate on Charter change," he said.

Meanwhile, Cagas’ co-vice chairman in the committee, Antique Rep. Exequiel Javier, said money should be no object if the Constitution is amended next year as the undertaking would still be covered by the congressional budget. He said as much as P6 billion would be saved if the Charter is amended through a constituent assembly rather than a constitutional convention.

Cagas said Speaker Jose de Venecia had committed last week that the House would start its Charter change campaign this week, which would seek a shift from the presidential to a unicameral parliamentary system, with a prime minister to be elected as the government’s chief operating officer.

Cagas sought to correct perceptions that Cha-cha is being initiated by the House to ensure the political survival of President Arroyo.

"While she sounded the need to start the great debate on Charter change last July, the House has consistently pursued charter amendment for several years now. It was unfortunate that the proposal got stalled in the past in the Senate which is not too keen on Charter change," he said.

The House’s debates on Charter change, Cagas said, will be complemented by the lawmakers’ consultations with their constituents. "We have done that through the years. We will continue doing so as we move forward," he said.

The people should be consulted on the issue since they will ultimately vote on any charter amendment to, or revision of, the Constitution, said Cagas.

"Article XVII, Section 4 of the Constitution explicitly provides that any amendment or revision must be ratified by a majority of the votes cast in a plebiscite," he said.

For his part, Javier, of the administration Lakas party, said the House sees no problem in the funding of Charter change if this is done next year especially if the mode of amendment is through Congress which is more economical than a constitutional convention (con-con).

Javier said if Charter change is initiated next year, there will be no problem in the funding since the proposed 2006 national budget is still with the House.

"We can still realign some appropriation items to cover the expenditures for the plebiscite for the ratification of the proposed amendments."

Javier further said Congress also has the option to provide for a special or supplemental appropriations for the expenditure. He stressed that Charter change through Congress will only need P3 billion whereas P9 billion is required if the revision is done by a con-con.

Following the resolution of the impeachment complaints in the House, Javier said the House will now vigorously pursue Charter change which is strongly supported by Mrs. Arroyo herself.

In line with the House move to speed up the Cha-cha drive through a constituent assembly, the President has already named nearly 40 people to the consultative commission that would recommend changes to the Constitution.

The consultative commission had its initial meeting at the Palace before the weekend, even as two have already declined their appointments to the proposed 50-member commission.

Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and Ambassador Alfonso Yuchengco, both allies of Mrs. Arroyo, have begged off for various reasons. Three STAR columnists have been named to the commission.

Palace officials have described the consultative commission as "a good investment" whose recommendations would be put to good use if not immediately then certainly sometime in the future.

The 1987 Constitution was drafted by a constitutional commission formed by then President Corazon Aquino, but it has since been sought to be rewritten, if not overhauled, since the time of Aquino’s successor, Fidel Ramos.

Cha-cha advocates have been saying there was a need to address legislative gridlock and open up local business to foreign investment, while critics fear that elected officials might ultimately perpetuate themselves in power and that small and medium sized enterprises could get swamped by global interests. (highlight, mine)

N.B. Just as we have been discussing in the Good News thread and as I suspected from the start, the Debt for Equity/Venable lobby deal/Charter Change push are all tied up together. They are really looking for an overhaul of the 1987 Constitution from the political form of government to the economic provisions. I think the Constitution should just embody the Preamble and the basic Bill of Rights. Time for more indepth discussion.

and what do they use their pork on? To fatten themselves even more. because they're pigs pigs pigs. THey build waiting sheds. ha ha

maybe we should adapt a rotating presidency system like switzerland.... with each region electing a governor.... and the governors taking turns in the presidency, in a yearly basis,.. that way, they won't get too much power and each region is represented... and since their terms are so short... no more bickering and street protests

good luck to us all.

Max Soliven was recently anti-cha cha, but this recent opinion column shows a shift in opinion. He's a very influential and respected journalist so i hope his shift will further the prospects of cha cha.

He is so right though, with the way our Senators have been behaving, i think the senate should be abolished!

Scroll down further to see the statement on cha cha

Who sent those raiders to seize the ‘Admiral’s’ cottage at SBMA?
BY THE WAY By Max V. Soliven
The Philippine Star 09/28/2005


Although I cornered the new Chairman of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), Commodore Feliciano Salonga yesterday when I was the guest speaker at the National Defense College of the Philippines Foundation in the Philippine Army Officers’ Clubhouse in Fort Bonifacio, "Fil" was reticent about the subject. But he confirmed that, although he has a private home outside the Base, he intends to occupy Kalayaan 5000 inside the Subic Freeport.

In truth, Fil – who was named to head the SBMA as Chairman, replacing the resigned Francisco "Kiko" Licuanan and then temporarily acting chairman (and former SBMA Administrator) Alfredo Antonio – was originally reluctant to move into the Subic Freeport residence called Kalayaan 5000. But he belatedly recognized the symbolism involved in being in situ there.

The place on Kalayaan Hill used to be the home of the former US Navy Admiral who ran the Base until the Bases Treaty expired and the Americans packed it up and sailed away. In short, who’s entrenched at Kalayaan 5000, which is perched on a commanding knoll, is perceived to be the Boss in Subic. By tradition, this ought to be the residence of the SBMA Chairman.

What introduced a bit of confusion in the past year is that the previous SBMA Chairman, who ought to have lived there, our friend (former Ayala Land President) Licuanan preferred to live outside, coming to SBMA to preside over Board meetings only twice a month thus permitting Antonio who was SBMA Administrator to occupy the vacant residence.

A bizarre incident occurred last Sunday afternoon which brought the issue to a head. At about 2 p.m., six men in civilian clothes arrived, saying they had come "to secure" the residence. Former Administrator Freddy Antonio had already vacated it, having turned over his position to Armand Arreza, one of Senator Dick Gordon’s protegees, who had been designated SBMA Administrator. Antonio’s son, however, was still in the house packing his things when the six men got there. He asked them who they were. It could have been an uneventful turning over of the keys – except it turned out that the six visitors were not from the SBMA Law Enforcement Department (called LED) at all. They had no official credentials, except that they were former SWAT men of former SBMA Chairman (before Felicito "Tong" Payumo), now Senator Gordon.

Someone, alarmed, rang up the legitimate SBMA LED office and the Law Enforcement Department dispatched a team to investigate about 10 p.m. What was happening? The "alert" was also sent to the Magsaysays, who are political foes of the Gordons and don’t want him back in Subic "controlling" things through Arreza. In any event, SBMA Senior Director J.V. Magsaysay whose wife, Congresswoman Mitos Magsaysay defeated Kate Gordon to win her seat, and his father Zambales Governor Vic Magsaysay rushed down from their own Subic residence to find out what the "Intruders" were up to. They went to Kalayaan 5000 to make sure the intruders were removed from there. Colonel Jaime Calunsad, head of the SBMA LED, we hear, arrested the ex-SWAT men who were found to be in possession of two short firearms. They were released after giving statements alleging they had been sent by the office of Administrator Arreza to secure the place.

The question is: Why should Arreza use "outsiders" for a job that should have been performed by security personnel from the organic department of the SBMA, the LED? The strange "excuse" given later was that the men had been sent as "volunteers" to reserve the place for President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo herself! By gosh. Does GMA want to "live" in Subic?

It must be said that Senior Deputy Director for Operation General Jose Calimlim was not around to witness the incident, although it’s almost certain Col. Calunsad, reported this interesting and mystifying incident to him. It’s now being alleged on television that the Magsaysays are "harassing" Arreza. Come on. About who’s going to live at Kalayaan 5000? It should be clear, the new SBMA Chairman, Feliciano Salonga.

What about Dick Gordon’s role – if any – in this matter?

The President must make crystal clear who’s running SBMA and its Freeport – so vehicle smuggling, other forms of smuggling, and all sorts of shenanigans can be resolutely halted, and punished. Two heads only create confusion and represent loopholes through which criminal syndicates and other freebooters can flourish by playing one against the other. Salonga has the experience, the Philippine Navy track record (he’s a graduate of Kings Point, New York, the non-military equivalent of the US Naval Academy at Annapolis), and was former Vice-Chairman of the BASECO, the Bataan Shipyards Engineering Company, Inc. We won’t even mention the fact that he is "Father Saigon", the dad of the famous Broadway and London West End star, Lea Salonga.

I don’t think there should be a problem about who’s running the place, except that Gordon seems to be backing his protegé Arreza that post, for that "top dog" post to use Navy parlance.

Will the next contest be who sits in the "Chairman/ Administrator’s" Office in Building 229? Fil is Chairman, while Arreza is Administrator.

Fil Salonga told me yesterday that Arreza had informed him he wasn’t personally eager to take over the residence at Kalayaan 5000 – and had (according to Fil) arranged for quarters elsewhere. But this isn’t necessarily true.

If an "uncivil war" erupts in the SBMA, let me say: I’ll back Salonga, whom we’ve known and admired for 30 years, to the hilt. * * *
Last Monday night at the Manila Overseas Press Club dinner Forum, we had a jam-packed house with Speaker Joe de Venecia as guest speaker where he reported to us on his trip to the United Nations in New York and Washington, D.C.

I am not the greatest fan of Charter Change but JDV’s eloquence and his impassioned plea for the media to help him push for "Cha-Cha" was very convincing. With the way our senators have been acting, maybe we should really take a closer and more serious look at Charter Change. As Joe de V. complained in the MOPC open forum, each senator is beginning to think like he’s the president of this country. Just because they’re nationally elected, they all think that "they are a government by themselves."

Even to those who’re not too keen on a Parliamentary set-up, a unicameral legislature is beginning to look attractive. * * *

THE ROVING EYE… Last night, I hosted a dinner for departing Chinese Ambassador Wu Hongbo, who’s the best Ambassador the Chinese have ever had here. Is he going to be "executed" when he gets to Beijing or promoted? What I hear is that he’ll be named head of Asia-Pacific in the foreign ministry, but you know China. You can never predict anything. We wish him well… I also had US Consul General Richard Haynes and Consul Joseph Tilghman at my home. They dropped by with Babe Romualdez on his way to our dinner at the O.B. Montessori Hall in Greenhills.

Where can I read JDV's 'impassioned plea' to the media that convinced Max Soliven? I want to read it.

^^ all i can say, is cha cha cha si letty ramos sya

anyway i saw a week ago i dont know if its old or not but the government said that the businessmen in the makati is willing to pay for the veneble. on the other hand, when those association of businessmen in makati was asked, they said whose gonna pay. wasnt that funny, government is pointing fingers now because of their anomaly tsk tsk tsk :no:

I don't know Lili, i guess its one of those things you only get to see when you're there.

A primer on charter change... interesting read.

http://www.ipd.ph/chacha/primer/chacha_primer.html

I am thinking positive...I want Charter Change. :)

A primer on charter change... interesting read.

http://www.ipd.ph/chacha/primer/chacha_primer.html

Thanks for that link QuietLife (Andy). I will browse through it when I have more time. Definitely, it's worthwhile discussing. :)

You're welcome, Lili. :) Yeah, I agree, it's an interesting topic to discuss. I'm for a federal sort of government, but I'm not sure how well that's going to work back home.

PIA Press Release
10/04/2005
Charter change involves character change , Avisado says

TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte (4 October) -- Strengthening the moral and spiritual values especially of those in power should be a parallel effort in pushing for charter change, Judge Adoracio Avisado said in a forum on Federalism in Tagum City.

Speaking before municipal mayors and key local government officials of Davao del Norte, Judge Avisado said reforms in the political system can only be made holistic through character change of the people.

She said moral reform is a key component to turn the engine of good governance which is a hallmark of doing the best in the service of the people.

"If we don't give our best, we are losing the opportunity to truly be of service to our people," she said.

Meanwhile, she recognized that there were still those skeptical about the benefits of changing the form of government from Presidential to Parliamentary-Federal but she cited the change as important, otherwise "we are condemned forever."

"We have to accept and believe that there can be change," she said.

To push for charter amendment, the impasse between the House of Representatives and the Senate has to be resolved.

Majority of those in the Lower House are in favor of changing the Constitution through constituent assembly while senators are for constitutional convention.

Noting this, Judge Avisado said public discussion on charter change and on Federalism would still be relevant so the public could fully understand these issues once members of the national lawmaking body take these up for deliberation. (PIA/JMDA) [top]

Clark as capital of the Federal Republic
By Jun A. Malig

"SECTION 1. The Federal Republic of the Philippines. The Federal Republic of the Philippines consists of the Federasyon (Federation) and New Manila - the Federal Capital to be planned and built in the Clark Special Economic Zone in Pampanga - and the ten constituent Estados (States) and their local governments."

This is the first section of "The 1987 Constitution as Revised" drafted and published by the Citizens' Movement for a Federal Philippines (CMFP). Incidentally, Dr. Jose Abueva, chair of the CMFP's advisory board and editor of the group's draft Constitution, was elected as the president of the Consultative Constitutional Commission (ConCom) last September 28.

The commission, created by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo last month, includes among its distinguished members our cabalens City of San Fernando Mayor Oscar Rodriguez (regional vice chairperson for Luzon) and Angeles University Foundation Chancellor and former Clark Development Corp. president Emmanuel Y. Angeles.

A few days ago, Iloilo Representative Rolex Suplico called for the abolition of ConCom, saying the creation of the body "is an insult" to Congress. He said Congress has the sole authority to propose amendments in the 1987 Constitution. However, the Consultative Commission is undaunted by Suplico's statement. It has started its nationwide consultations with different sectors regarding the proposed amendments to the primary law of the land, particularly the shifting from the current unitary-presidential system to federal-parliamentary form of government.

While I was writing this column Wednesday morning, Dr. Angeles and another Concom member, Naval, Biliran Mayor Gerardo Espina Sr., were scheduled to attend the weekly Kampus Kapihan sa AUF in Angeles City as guest speakers. The two were expected to answer the queries of students, newsmen and other participants about the commission and proposed Charter change. Mayor Rodriguez is also expected to commence this week his function in the consultative body.

In the CMFP's draft Constitution, 10 autonomous regional governments to be known as Estados will be established. These are: 1) Bangsamoro, 2) Central and Southern Mindanao, 3) Northern and Western Mindanao, 4) Eastern Visayas, 5) Western Visayas-Palawan, 6) Bicol, 7) Southern Luzon, 8) Metro Manila, 9) Central Luzon, and 10) Northern Luzon and Cordillera. The CMFP maintained the Bill of Rights (Article III) but added a new article in its proposed Constitution known as the "Bill of Duties and Obligations." Its section 1 states: "Loyalty, obedience, cooperation. It shall be the duty of the citizen to be loyal to the Federal Republic of the Philippines and to honor the Philippine flag, to defend the State and contribute to its development and welfare, to uphold the 1987 Constitution and obey the laws, and to cooperate with the duly constituted authorities in the attainment and preservation of a peaceful, just and orderly society."

The new article's section four also obligates every Filipino to find a job. "Section 4. Duty to work. It shall be the duty of every citizen to engage in gainful work and to work well to assure himself/herself and his/her family a life worthy of human dignity." I find this particular section of the CMFP's draft Constitution to be amusing, especially because of the country's rapidly growing population and a rapidly growing labor force that continuously surpass the employment opportunities being offered by public and private establishments. Many educated members of the labor force are forced to find gainful employment in foreign lands, as they face not only unemployment in their own country but also underemployment or underpayment.

In editing the CMFP's draft Constitution, Abueva explained that adding the "Bill of Duties and Obligations" would be necessary to build a strong nation. "We, Filipinos, should balance our concern for and undue emphasis on our individual rights and entitlements with our corresponding individual, collective and communitarian (sic) duties and obligations. In this way we could become better and more effective citizens in solidarity with our kapwa Pilipino; we could build a strong and united national community and a peaceful, just and humane society," he said in his editorial note.

"The 1935 Constitution and the 1987 Constitution did not have a Bill of Duties and Obligations of Citizens. In the following text, Sections 1,2 and 4 and part of Section 5 are lifted from the 1973 Constitution as amended. The underlined words and Sections 3, 6, 7 and 8 are further amendments by the Federalism Research Project," Abueva added.

Abueva, Dizon to head Con-Com; FVR is adviser

The Constitutional Consultative Commission (CCC) yesterday elected former University of the Philippines (UP) President Jose Abueva as chairman and Bro. Rolando Dizon as vice chairman, during their initial meeting at the SEAMEO (South East Asia Ministers of Education Organization) Innotech International House on Commonwealth Ave., Quezon City.

President Arroyo also appointed former President Fidel V. Ramos, a proponent of Charter change, to a five-man advisory team to the ConCom, which would also embark on nationwide public consultations on possible changes in the Constitution.

Other Con-Com advisers are former Prime Minister Cesar Virata, former Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas governor Gabriel Singson, former Senate president Jovito Salonga, and constitutionalist Fr. Joaquin Bernas.

During the meeting, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita exhorted the 41 members of the CCC present to bring the debate on Charter change to the doorsteps of every Filipino home to encourage the people to focus on the future of their country.

"In the spirit of freedom and transparency, the President believes that the Filipino people must be involved in the study and formulation of amendments or revisions to the 1987 Constitution," Ermita, speaking as acting chairman of the panel, told the 41 members of the commission during its opening session.

"Your role, therefore, as members of the Consultative Commission is to review our Constitution, conduct public consultations, and undertake necessary studies on the kind of changes needed to improve the fundamental law of the land," Ermita said.

He added that the body is expected to consider the proposal for a shift from the presidential-unitary system to a parliamentary federal system of government; the refocusing of economic policies in the present Constitution to match the country’s vision for global competitiveness; and a review of the country’s economic policies which tend to hinder that vision and adversely affect the people’s welfare, among others.

He also said that resistance or objections to Charter change is understandable because fear of uncertainty lead people to prefer the status quo.

With 41 members present, the Consultative Commission elected Dr. Jose Abueva as chairman; Fr. Rolando Dizon, executive vice chairman; Oscar Rodriguez, vice chairman for Luzon; Pablo Garcia, vice chairman for Visayas; Pedro Romualdez, vice chairman for Mindanao; Carmen Pedrosa, vice chairman for Metro Manila; and Lito Lorenzana, secretary-general.

Abueva, former president of the University of the Philippines, is the founding president and chairman of the board of trustees of Kalayaan College. He is the author of the book, "Towards a Federal Republic of the Philippines with a Parliamentary Government by 2010."

Dizon is director-atlarge of the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP) and a member of the board of trustees of De La Salle University.

Lorenzana is a member of the advisory board of the Citizens’ Movement for a Federal Philippines and chief executive officer of the Mindanao Agri-Network Corp.

Meanwhile, the Muslim sector of the Kababaihan Para Sa Inang Bayan yesterday lauded President Arroyo for appointing former Mindanao State University (MSU) president Dr. Emily Marohombsar to the ConCom.

Bae Bayolan TamanoMarohombsar, a Bae-aLabi (princess) of the Royal Sultanate of Kablangan in Lanao del Norte and who represents the Muslim women sector, said, "Dr. Marohombsar’s appointment is a symbol of the empowerment of Muslim women as full and equal partners in nation-building."

"The Royal Sultanate of Kablangan is proud that a brilliant woman from their royal clan is one of President Arroyo’s choices in the pursuit of Charter change towards the building of a strong republic," she said. Dr. Marohombsar was the first woman president of the MSU.

In another development, the National Youth Commission (NYC) appealed to President Arroyo to appoint a youth representative to the 50-member Consultative Constitutional Commission.

In a letter to President Arroyo last Sept. 26, NYC chairman Paolo Benigno "Bam" Aquino IV noted "that among the Commission Members appointed so far, not one represents the youth sector."

Aquino said Executive Order 453 provides that the Consultative Constitutional Commission shall be composed of members representing national, regional and sectoral constituencies, including youth and students, "but unfortunately no youth or student representative has so far been appointed."

The NYC has nominated federalism advocate Jonathan Malaya, president of the Youth Liberals and Democrats of Asia (YLDA), to represent the 23.4 million Filipino youth in the ConCom.

In his remarks Abueva, a member of the 1987 Constitutional Commission and former president of the University of the Philippines, said the commission would put weight the active participation of the public in the process of constitutional change.

Abueva, a known advocate of federalism, also suggested the retention of the "best features" as well as the "name and identity" of the 1987 Constitution, saying the body has no mandate to write a new charter.

"Even as we propose changes in our constitution, we will retain the best features of the 1987 Constitution for continuity in the development of our constitutional democracy," he said.

Abueva said it was important to retain as many as possible the "democratic, anti-authoritarian, progressive and humanistic" features of the present constitution.

Also elected vice-chairmen were San Fernando City Mayor Oscar Rodriguez for Luzon, former Cebu Governor Pablo Garcia for Visayas, Camiguin Governor Pedro Romualdo for Mindanao and Carmen Pedrosa for Metro Manila. Former environment undersecretary Lito Monico Lorenzana will sit as secretary general.

Four more members were also appointed yesterday to the body, namely Mindanao Business Reporter editor Angelo Abarico, lawyer Alfredo Abueg Jr., former National Labor Commission head Cecilio Seno and Philippines Inc. president Miguel Valera, bringing a total number of 42. (with reports by Genalyn Kabiling, Edd Usman and Momoy Cardenas)

Source: Manilanet News

7 more con-com members named

The Philippine Star 10/06/2005

President Arroyo has named seven more delegates to the consultative commission (con-com) tasked to study possible amendments to the 1987 Constitution.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said the new appointments brought to 48 the total number of con-com members.

The new appointees are Court of Appeals Justice Omar Amir, lawyers Andres Bautista, Raul Lambino and Betty Lourdes Tabanda, businessman Noel Cariño of Fil-Estate companies, Liberato Laus, and Sister Luz Emmanuel Soriano, president of the Philippine Council for Peace and Global Education.

The seven new appointees will join the 42 other members who began work last week on the proposed amendments to the Constitution.

Con-com members are also expected to help promote the President’s Charter change initiative during their three-month stint with the commission.

Jose Abueva, former president of the University of the Philippines, was elected chairman of the commission while Rolando Dizon, member of the De La Salle University board of trustees was chosen as second-in-command.

The regional heads are Oscar Rodriguez (Luzon), Pablo Garcia, (Visayas), Pedro Romualdo (Mindanao), and Carmen Pedrosa (Metro Manila). Lito Monico Lorenzana was chosen as the secretary-general.

The President can choose up to 50 personalities to serve on the con-com. Of those handpicked by the President, only Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte declined to serve on the commission due to his workload.

Presidential Management Staff chief Rigoberto Tiglao said Malacañang is hoping Congress will consider the recommendations the commission will submit to the President before the end of the year.

He said the people who compose the committee have shown "probity, experience, competence, integrity and exposure to governance." — Aurea Calica

Personal comment: I wish I was part of this Constitutional Commission.

If they make Clark the capital of the Federal Republic, they better come up with an organized masterplan for the city similar to what Malaysia did to Putrajaya. And make it the showcase city of the Philippines - clean, organized, not crowded, good infrastructure, etc

If they make Clark the capital of the Federal Republic, they better come up with an organized masterplan for the city similar to what Malaysia did to Putrajaya. And make it the showcase city of the Philippines - clean, organized, not crowded, good infrastructure, etc

hey GreyX. Remember in the "most well planned asian cities" in city vs city, I posted that I wished that the Phils will do to Clark what Malaysia did to Putrajaya, then you replied that the Phils indeed had plans to build Clark up but not as an administrative capital? Then this news comes up! Galing. Psychic moment! :)

I think it's a great move , considering the current form of gov't isnt working very well . The current form of government simply isnt as effective and its a failure and hopefully dis will be the very first step towards a better Philipines !!

If they make Clark the capital of the Federal Republic, they better come up with an organized masterplan for the city similar to what Malaysia did to Putrajaya. And make it the showcase city of the Philippines - clean, organized, not crowded, good infrastructure, etc

What if there is another Pinatubo? It is an active volcano, isn't it? That will paralyze the capital of the Federal Republic.

hey GreyX. Remember in the "most well planned asian cities" in city vs city, I posted that I wished that the Phils will do to Clark what Malaysia did to Putrajaya, then you replied that the Phils indeed had plans to build Clark up but not as an administrative capital? Then this news comes up! Galing. Psychic moment! :)

I know!:lol: thats really strange...

What if there is another Pinatubo? It is an active volcano, isn't it? That will paralyze the capital of the Federal Republic.

Well, there is always that risk. Manila and Tokyo have the risk of getting hit by an earthquake. Coastal capital cities could get hit by a tsunami.

Didn't you know that intelligence agencies are reading these threads and getting ideas from us? ;)

wow ... a new admistrative capital for PHL ? thats great . where is Clark located at ? any idea the cost of implementing it ? and what would the size of the city be ?

^^ Clark is about 80km north of Manila in the Pampanga Province. It is a former US airforce base and the nearest city to it is Angeles City, just outside Clark's gates.
They are just talking about making Clark the administrative capital, so there is no real proposal just yet. But there have been plans for many years now into making Clark an industrial, commercial and transportation hub. DMIA Airport is proposed to become the country's gateway airport, replacing NAIA.

^^ Clark is about 80km north of Manila in the Pampanga Province. It is a former US airforce base and the nearest city to it is Angeles City, just outside Clark's gates.
They are just talking about making Clark the administrative capital, so there is no real proposal just yet. But there have been plans for many years now into making Clark an industrial, commercial and transportation hub. DMIA Airport is proposed to become the country's gateway airport, replacing NAIA.

This has been proposed long time. I hope this will be taken seriously together with change to Federal/parliamentary form.

03 MARCH 2003
Statement of Presidential Spokesperson Ignacio R. Bunye
Plan to Decongest Metro Manila

Presidential Adviser Lito Osmena today sought approval from the President to go ahead with a proposal to develop Clark and environs as a possible relocation site of two key national government offices. The proposal aims to decongest Metro Manila which is now bursting at the seams with a daytime population of 12 million. The proposal calls for paying off national government debts to GSIS in the form of land in Clark and other proposed sites. GSIS in turn will provide P15 billion over the next five years to develop the land and put up buildings and support facilities which will house DPWH and DOTC. Counterpart funds for the development of residential, commercial and support infrastructure are proposed to be provided in partnership with the private sector.

President GMA endorsed the proposal to Secretary Alberto G. Romulo and Chief of Staff Rigoberto D. Tiglao for further evaluation.
http://www.news.ops.gov.ph/archives2003/mar03.htm

go federer go! oppps federal, sorry :)

Friday, October 14, 2005
Healing through federalism
By Fred C. Espinoza

REINVENT. While Asian and European legal experts were discussing federalism with Filipino officials at an international conference on federalism and multiculturalism last Oct. 4 in Makati city, the consensus among the speakers was that federalism will “heal” the nation.

“Federalism will heal the country’s political problems and bring about economic stability, end insurgency and rebellion in Mindanao, address graft and corruption, and solve problem of poverty well,” a report quoted legal experts as saying.

Former University of the Philippines president Jose Abueva, Consultative Commission on Charter Change Commission chairman, said “federalism will reinvent the way the country will solve its national issues.

“It is always the best way,” Swiss Ambassador Lise Favre told newsmen in a press briefing held between the conference to explain how federalism will work.

Professor Thomas Feiner of the University of Fribourge, Switzerland’s Institute on Federalism, tried to focus on the local economy which, he said, “will empower the country.”

He cited the case of Switzerland which “used to be very poor but because of effective governance, it has prospered. He said this could also happen to the Philippines.

The significance of political stability was also stressed by the Swiss envoy who said that it is always the best way to attract act investors into the country.

The Swiss professor also explained that the best way to stop graft and corruption is by strong decentralization of power and finances by making local or regional government directly accountable.

Sen. Aquilino Pimentel Jr., one of the speakers of the conference, said the powers of local governments are just a fraction of the powers of regional governments in a federal system.

“These powers are so awesome in federal states,” said Pimentel, author of the Local Government Code (LGC) of 1991.

These are some of the points that were discussed during the conference. Perhaps a broader insight on how a strong decentralization of power may occur in the country has acquired greater significance in a joint Asian Development Bank-World Bank study (ADB-WB).

The study titled “Decentralization in the Philippines: Strengthening Local Government Financing and Resource Management in The Short Term,” seeks to emphasize that effective decentralization of services through local government units (LGUs) is key to responding to public needs and delivering services, such as health and infrastructure.

But the ADB-WB study added that improving LGU performance across the board would require administrative action in two key areas: enhancing their capacity to raise their own revenues and access other resources and strengthening key resource management system and procedures.

More than a decade after the LGC was enacted, the joint study said, public surveys showed mixed assessment of local government performance.

It noted that a growing number of well- performing local governments emerged, but local investment in infrastructure and social services were constrained.

“Some well-performing LGUs can be considered islands of good governance which can inspire other LGUs to improve their effectiveness. The creation of an effective performance system would make it easier for the public to evaluate LGU performance results,” the report quoted Joachim von Amsberg, WB country director, as saying.

With these significant developments taking place in our country now, we can only hope that government leaders will set aside political differences and work together for the good of our nation and its people.

ADB director general for Southeast Asia operations Shamshad Akhtar said the bank was now coordinating closely with LGU stakeholders on several initiatives such as an on going technical assistance for enhancing capacity for budgeting, financing and expenditure activities.

Akhtar said the ADB would assist the government in preparing better provincial poverty maps to allow more targeted support for the poor.

good news , Philippines should learn from Singapore ; Parliarmentary Republic

Thursday, October 20, 2005
Concom debate heats up over federalism bid

The committee on the structure of the republic, under the Citizens’ Consultative Commission (Concom), has recommended a shift to federalism to replace the unitary system of government.

But the motion was carried only after a debate, which lasted almost three hours, between those in favor of federalism and those who opted for the present system.

The committee voted 16 in favor and eight against, with one abstention.

Those who are for the retention of the unitary system were Commissioners Pablo Garcia and Gerardo Espina Sr., among others.

Garcia, in an interview last night, said he is not against federalism per se, but against the proposed way of going about it.

Abolition

The former Cebu governor said he was able to convince the rest that the proposal to just name areas to automatically create states will abolish the provinces and will be against the principle of self-determination.

Also, he said the proposal does not conform to the legal definition, or even history, of federalism, which is supposed to be a getting together of already existing states. “It is a union of states as understood in law.”

Garcia said his fellow commissioners “relented” to his proposal for the creation of autonomous regions instead, and even this would still need to pass a plebiscite.

Members of the Concom are scheduled to go on a nationwide consultation starting on Oct. 24. First stop: Cebu.

Consultation

They will consult the people directly on the proposed shift to federalism and other amendments to the 1987 Constitution.

From Cebu, the commissioners will be divided into three groups and fan out to other parts of the Visayas and Mindanao, before proceeding to Luzon next month.

President Arroyo has made it part of her administration’s agenda to change the form of government, following political turmoil in June spawned by allegations that she cheated to get elected last year.

She asked Congress during her State of the Nation Address to amend the Constitution, as a solution to the political divisiveness in the country.

10-year transition

A shift to federalism will have a transition period of 10 years but there is a need for the holding of a plebiscite in 2006 or early 2007, said Concom chairman Jose V. Abueva.

Abueva, a leading advocate of federalism, also said that under the proposal, federal states will be fully established in 2016 or 2017.

There is also a proposal to extend the term of local officials to five years.

The 49-member Con-com will discuss further the proposed federal structure of government during their plenary session today.

“We have a very heated debate, but as usual the debate was on a higher plane,” said Concom secretary general Lito Monico C. Lorenzana. (Sunnex)/JPM)

Friday October 21, 6:06 PM
Philippines' Con-Com Recommends Shift to Parliamentary Gov't

MANILA, Oct 21 Asia Pulse - The Consultative Commission (Con-Com) on Thursday voted to adopt a committee report recommending the shift from the present presidential to parliamentary form of government.

Voting 32 to 7 in plenary session, the body, however, ruled that the decision be preliminary pending results of the provincial consultation which starts next week.

The preliminary recommendation to shift from the presidential-bicameral form of government to parliamentary-unicameral form of government is hereby approved, said Commissioner Emmanuel Angeles, chair of the committee on the form of government.

The actual voting commenced after almost three hours of heated discussion as proponents of the retention of the presidential form of government strong made their arguments.

Commissioner Gerardo Espina Sr., a proponent of the presidential system, said the present form of government could make do with some modifications.

In particular, Espina said a unicameral form of legislature could very well answer the problem of gridlock between the House of Representatives and the Senate under the present form of government.

Espina added that a fused Executive-Legislative branches of government such as under a parliamentary system would only promote corruption with a Prime Minister having the tendency to do all means to ensure his supporters would be seated in the Parliament.

"If we fuse the power of the Executive and the Legislative, we might be victims of dictatorship not only by one, but by two, four or five, party leaders whose party would dominate the Parliament and at the same time, the big businesses of the country," Espina argued.

Commissioners Donald Dee and James Marty Lim on the other hand, maintained their earlier stand in the committee hearings that voting should take place after the scheduled provincial sorties.

This prompted Commissioner Andres Bautista to amend the resolution mandating that the recommendation be preliminary until the conclusion of the nationwide consultations.

Concom chair Jose V. Abueva, who made the sponsorship speech favoring the committee report, stressed that the separation of executive power of the President and legislative power of Congress (the Senate and the House of Representatives) causes intense rivalry and competition for power among them.

"Especially because, like the President, the 24 senators are elected nationwide. Constant conflict and gridlock between the President and the House and the Senate, and too many congressional investigations, delay and obstruct legislation and reform," Abueva said.

"Parliament will therefore ensure the coordinated, efficient and effective exercises of legislative and executive powers the making of laws and policies and their implementation, especially if we have a unicameral parliament," he added.

(PNA) -

Thursday, October 20, 2005
Concom debate heats up over federalism bid

The committee on the structure of the republic, under the Citizens’ Consultative Commission (Concom), has recommended a shift to federalism to replace the unitary system of government.

But the motion was carried only after a debate, which lasted almost three hours, between those in favor of federalism and those who opted for the present system.

The committee voted 16 in favor and eight against, with one abstention.

Those who are for the retention of the unitary system were Commissioners Pablo Garcia and Gerardo Espina Sr., among others.

Garcia, in an interview last night, said he is not against federalism per se, but against the proposed way of going about it.

Abolition

The former Cebu governor said he was able to convince the rest that the proposal to just name areas to automatically create states will abolish the provinces and will be against the principle of self-determination.

Also, he said the proposal does not conform to the legal definition, or even history, of federalism, which is supposed to be a getting together of already existing states. “It is a union of states as understood in law.”

Garcia said his fellow commissioners “relented” to his proposal for the creation of autonomous regions instead, and even this would still need to pass a plebiscite.

Members of the Concom are scheduled to go on a nationwide consultation starting on Oct. 24. First stop: Cebu.

Consultation

They will consult the people directly on the proposed shift to federalism and other amendments to the 1987 Constitution.

From Cebu, the commissioners will be divided into three groups and fan out to other parts of the Visayas and Mindanao, before proceeding to Luzon next month.

President Arroyo has made it part of her administration’s agenda to change the form of government, following political turmoil in June spawned by allegations that she cheated to get elected last year.

She asked Congress during her State of the Nation Address to amend the Constitution, as a solution to the political divisiveness in the country.

10-year transition

A shift to federalism will have a transition period of 10 years but there is a need for the holding of a plebiscite in 2006 or early 2007, said Concom chairman Jose V. Abueva.

Abueva, a leading advocate of federalism, also said that under the proposal, federal states will be fully established in 2016 or 2017.

There is also a proposal to extend the term of local officials to five years.

The 49-member Con-com will discuss further the proposed federal structure of government during their plenary session today.

“We have a very heated debate, but as usual the debate was on a higher plane,” said Concom secretary general Lito Monico C. Lorenzana. (Sunnex)/JPM)

That's tomorrow already..Will it push through?

^^ Any updates?

Regions XI, XII, ARMM want federalism now

By Mai B. Gevera

Davao City (29 October) -- Representatives of the various sectors in Regions 11, 12, and the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) could no longer wait for the change in the form of government and are such in a hurry to adopt federal structure.

This was the sentiment heard by the Team B members of the Consultative Commission headed by Lito Lorenzana together with other commissioners namely: Angelo Abarico, Ronald Adamat, Joji Ilagan-Bian, Jarius Bondoc, Emily Marohombsar, Vicente Paterno, Carmen Pedrosa, Betty Tabanda, and Rey Teves, ConCom chair Jose Abueva also joined the group.

The ConCOM team visited Davao City for their last leg consultation in the Mindanao area. Members of the ConCom believed that the different representatives chosen from the different sectors in the society would reflect the sectors' views, thus, involving them in the big debate on changing the charter.

The participants were grouped into three categories: form of government, structure of government, and national patrimony and economic concern.

After a debate and exchange of ideas, the participants finally voted on certain issues that concern the various changes or amendments in the constitution.

Nobody from the body favored a unitary structure, everyone batted for federalism and the group wanted it to take effect as soon as possible.

"We should no longer wait for a ten-year transition period. Let's do it now," a representative said.

The group also favored a parliamentary, unicameral form of government with their justification that the present system or the presidential form has not worked. They also observed that each branch (executive, legislative, judiciary) goes beyond their fences, thus, causing internal chaos. The people also wanted to change the fixed term of the political leaders.

For the national patrimony and economic concerns, members of the commission were not expecting to hear liberal views from the participants. However, it turned out that the people want a hundred percent Filipino ownership for the private agricultural lands but are willing to open 40 percent foreign ownership for industrial and commercial purposes.

For the capital requirements of natural resources, they wanted to retain the present provision. However, they are liberalizing 40 per cent of the media ownership, advertising, and educational institutions for the foreigners.

ConCom members shared the views of Visayas specifically Iloilo that the Filipino First Policy has already outlived its usefulness. They are one with the Mindanao delegation especially in the Davao city consultation in expressing their appreciation for foreign investment.

The ConCom ended the consultation with the hope of beating their deadline on December 15 guaranteeing the people that whatever recommendation they would give to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo are but reflections of the series of consultations they had with the Filipino people.

" It would be easy for the people to demand what they want to be changed in the charter because all that has come out during the consultation will all be used as input to be submitted to our president," ConCom secretary general Lito Lorenzana said. (PIA XI) [top]

Split seen over draft eyeing Clark as RP federal capital
By Albert B. Lacanlale Thursday, November 03, 2005

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Prominent personalities in Pampanga business and politics have varied stance on the draft constitution presented by Consultative Commission (ConCom) chairman Jose Abueva recently which proposes Clark as the federal capital.

Pampanga Vice Governor Joseller Guiao said the proposal is "most welcome" as he is set to ask the Provincial Board (PB) to file a resolution endorsing the proposal of Abueva.

Guiao said economic activity surrounding the ecozone will be enhanced once the seat of the government is transferred to Clark.

"This would redound to more jobs, more taxes, appreciation of land value and greater demand for goods," he said.

The transformation of Clark into the country's capital is contained in Section 1 of the Abueva draft, which reads: "The Federal Republic of the Philippines. The Federal Republic of the Philippines consists of the Federasyon (Federation) and New Manila - the Federal Capital to be planned and built in the Clark Special Economic Zone in Pampanga - and the ten constituent Estados (States) and their local governments."

Businessman Rene G. Romero, on the other hand, said the idea of making Clark as the seat of the government is not a good idea as "the ecozone's facilities are designed for industries and other investments."

He said taking government operations in the ecozone is not maximizing the potentials of the zone, which is by now gearing towards competitiveness as a global gateway of investment.

Romero added that the migration of people to areas surrounding Clark may be good for business, but the opportunity of the ecozone to generate employment and income would be wasted.

For his part, Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (PamCham) president and Concom member Levy P. Laus said the idea has advantages and disadvantages for the province.

He explained that once Clark has become the federal capital, economic growth surrounding the ecozone would come in a faster rate.

Comparing the ecozone to Washington DC of the US, Laus said Clark as a federal capital promises a lot for the province. "The choice of Clark as site of the federal state should provide tremendous development to the area. Economic growth never experienced in the region will be realized, complemented by then the premier international airport - the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) and the Subic-Clark-Tarlac expressway," Laus said.

The seat of power and federal agencies, he added, will make Clark the center of power, services, trade and commerce.

However, he said, the downside of the plan is the "inmigration" of various ethnic groups to Pampanga, which may threaten the thrust of heritage-preservation advocates to keep the Kapampangan culture intact.

"The challenge is how we can preserve our Kapampangan culture and race considering the convergence of people from different regions. There is a compromise for economic prosperity and heightened urbanization," Laus said.

He said the "federalization" of the country, if ever the public were to opt for it through a plebiscite, would not come in an instant. He said the process of adopting federalism may take about 10 to 20 years.

this federal form of gov't or parliamentary is a bad idea, because its all about fidel ramos getting back to the seat of power. the federal form or parliamentary of gov't its just a smoke screen for him, to make it appear it was all legal. im pretty sure if he doesn't get his way he will make some sort of a coup . gma should declare early election before its too late. she does have the support of the masses any more and it will be very easy for ramos to take over with a military coup. now gma is playing nice with ramos. but his getting restless because he wants her out of office by 2007 so he can be the prime minister, acutally the next dictator like marcos.

another lameduck conspiracy theory^

i hope im wrong (MARITES)

this federal form of gov't or parliamentary is a bad idea, because its all about fidel ramos getting back to the seat of power. the federal form or parliamentary of gov't its just a smoke screen for him, to make it appear it was all legal. im pretty sure if he doesn't get his way he will make some sort of a coup . gma should declare early election before its too late. she does have the support of the masses any more and it will be very easy for ramos to take over with a military coup. now gma is playing nice with ramos. but his getting restless because he wants her out of office by 2007 so he can be the prime minister, acutally the next dictator like marcos.

I'm not saying that I am against federalism or switching to a parliamentary form of government but I'm having a nagging feeling that there may be a basis for this. All I can do is wait and see how the events in the Philippines will pan out. After all, Ramos was an architect of martial law. (I know this will be an unpopular opinion since there are a lot of Ramos admirers here.) It's like a Game of the Generals there. Things are being orchestrated from within the enclaves of the military elites.

^ this perhaps is more viable:

Northern Luzon
Metro Manila - Capital State
Southern Luzon
Federal State of Cebu
Visayas
Mindanao
Bangsamoro
Nah ...
It would be hard to have a Visayas State and a separate state for Cebu in the middle.

It would be better to have this:
Visayas Occidental - Region 6 and Palawan
Visayas Oriental - Region 7 and 8
So that people from Eastern Visayas don't have to travel all the way to the west just to go to gov't offices, they just have to go to Cebu ...

Can Bangsamoro stand on their own? I know there are plans of making it a freeport, but it will take a lot of time... not to mention capital

Didn't you know that intelligence agencies are reading these threads and getting ideas from us? ;)
are you serious ... or just being sarcastic? ... emoticons can be very confusing

Nah ...
It would be hard to have a Visayas State and a separate state for Cebu in the middle.

It would be better to have this:
Visayas Occidental - Region 6 and Palawan
Visayas Oriental - Region 7 and 8
So that people from Eastern Visayas don't have to travel all the way to the west just to go to gov't offices, they just have to go to Cebu ...

Can Bangsamoro stand on their own? I know there are plans of making it a freeport, but it will take a lot of time... not to mention capital

I guess that's better. But wait, may I clarify what BANGSAMORO means?

i hope im wrong (MARITES)
RAmos may long for power, I think he will not jeopardize his image with another coup tainting his name. Believe it or not he holds an international clout now and command respect. He will not have the legacy of being responsible for bringing the economy to its knees, because that's what will ensue if another coup errupts. Any coup will not be supported by the people so whoever is dreaming is a futile dream. Plus you have all these characters lusting for power of being the supreme leader you think "they" will allow that to happen.

I guess that's better. But wait, may I clarify what BANGSAMORO means?

Bangsamoro is the name of the area claimed by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in the Philippines. The MILF seeks to establish an independent Islamic state in the southern Philippines. Bangsamoro covers the provinces of Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Cotabato, South Cotabato. Davao del Sur, Sarangani, Sultan Kudarat, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte, Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi. It also includes the southern portion of the province of Palawan.

The term Bangsamoro also refers to the Filipino Muslim people, in general. These include the Tausug and the Maguindanaoans.

The term Bangsamoro comes from the Malay word bangsa, meaning nation or people, and the Spanish word moro, from the older Spanish word Moor, the Reconquista-period term for Arabs or Muslims.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bangsamoro

this federal form of gov't or parliamentary is a bad idea, because its all about fidel ramos getting back to the seat of power. the federal form or parliamentary of gov't its just a smoke screen for him, to make it appear it was all legal. im pretty sure if he doesn't get his way he will make some sort of a coup . gma should declare early election before its too late. she does have the support of the masses any more and it will be very easy for ramos to take over with a military coup. now gma is playing nice with ramos. but his getting restless because he wants her out of office by 2007 so he can be the prime minister, acutally the next dictator like marcos.

Fidel Ramos is pro Parliamentary-Unicameral setup but not Federalism. I don't know if he changed his mind already because Federalism is popular in Mindanao.

are you serious ... or just being sarcastic? ... emoticons can be very confusing

Apparently, I was being sarcastic, hence, the emoticon. I don't even remember why I wrote that in the first place. Perhaps I was having a psychic moment. But, who knows really?

I'm in favor of a parliamentary and federal government for the Philippines but not this time. I think that we are not yet ready. Many Filipinos have no idea what a parliamentary and federal government is, in the first place. So how can you expect them to favor the shift? And besides we don't have the requirements for the shift. And the most important requirement are the Political Parties. In a parliamentary style government we should have an empowered political parties and less 'turncoatism.' At the moment our political parties are not based from ideologies but are rather to the personality of it's leaders. And granted that we have a parliament with a habit of removing leaders immediately or what we call 'vote of no confidence', it would be too costly for the government in the future.

I'm also in favor of a federal government but they should implement this in phases or in transition (or whatever's the right term) because economically, we can't do it. We need a lot of money. Just establishing local bureaucracies for the future states or provinces are too costly. But federalism, I think would really help our country. Especially for a country with an archipelagic setting and composed of diverse cultures and religions. But beware, beacuse instead of building a new federal state we might end up broken into different independent states. And say 'goodbye Philippines!'

^that is what worries me too, everything you said is true. No strong parties, turncoatism. Would we then have an Italian syle parliamentary.

Tuesday, November 08, 2005


‘Visayas, Mindanao folk favor Cha-cha’

PEOPLE in the Visayas and Mindanao pin their hopes on Charter change to bring developments to the countryside, the Consultative Commission announced on Monday.

“We got a favorable response in our people’s consultation, but the important thing is that we bring issues and problems to them and get their opinions,” Jose Abueva, ConCom chair, told reporters at a briefing.

He said Con-Com commissioners conveyed three major issues to regional representatives from sectors in the Visayas and Mindanao, where they conducted consultations from October 24 to 28. Participants came from government, business, academe, youth, religious groups, indigenous communities, labor, the military and the police.

Except in Zamboanga, Abueva said that the majority of the people in the cities of Iloilo, Cebu, Tacloban, Palawan, Cagayan de Oro and Davao favor a change to a unicameral, parliamentary government from the present presidential with a bicameral Congress.

All seven cities except Zamboanga supported a federal system after a proposed transition of 10 years. Regional representatives in Zamboanga were divided over the idea.

The Con-Com members have supported the proposal of President Arroyo to replace the unitary system to federalism to decentralize Metro Manila and provide the regions with local autonomy.

On the issue whether to relax or remove the 60:40 Filipino ownership requirement on our national patrimony or natural resources and economic reforms to attract more foreign investors, the regional representatives agreed but proposed safeguards to avoid abuses.

Abueva explained: “People in the South feel more and more that the regions and localities where they live deserve to have more political power, authority and resources for their own autonomous development, without continuing to depend on the national government and politicians.”

Lito Monico Lorenzana, Con-Com secretary-general, said the commissioners will consult the people in Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Southern Tagalog, Bicol region and Metro Manila from November 28 to December 3.

I think there is a very big danger what marites has said will happen unfortunately. Anyway let's see, we don't even know if we'll have a concon or what.

Haaay...These places want federalism to have more powers (political, financial and administrative). Remember, these places are against the current system because they believe that it is dominated by the capital, Metro Manila. That's why they call it 'Imperial Manila.' Anyway, I think it would also be helpful for their own localities. With more additional powers they could do more to help develop their own localities and compete with Manila and someday surpass Manila's progress. The problem is, places with few resources and poor infrastructures would take a long time to be at par with other places. Or worst they would be stucked in poverty and be left behind forever, especially in places like ARMM and CAR.

11/08/2005
People favor charter change in Visayas-Mindanao

Preferences of Regional Representatives on major issues of Charter Change

Region VI. All for Parliamentary/Unicameral Majority for Federalism
Region VII. Form of Government Structure of the Republic;
Majority for Parliamentary 83% for Federalism
Region VIII. 71% for Parliamentary 71% for Federalism;
28% for Presidential 28% for Unitary
Palawan 82% for Parliamentary Majority for Federalism, preferably
18% for Presidential with Palawan as a federal state
Region X. 64% for Parliamentary Almost all for Federalism
Region XI. 70% for Parliamentary Almost all for Federalism,
07% for Presidential, 22% abstained
On the National Patrimony and Economic Reforms - In general, regional representatives were open to relaxing or liberalizing the citizen requirements in order to encourage more foreign investments in the country, but some expressed certain reservations because of the many different constitutional provisions involved. (PNA ConCom Press Center) [top]

11/08/2005
People favor charter change in Visayas-Mindanao

Preferences of Regional Representatives on major issues of Charter Change

Region VI. All for Parliamentary/Unicameral Majority for Federalism
Region VII. Form of Government Structure of the Republic;
Majority for Parliamentary 83% for Federalism
Region VIII. 71% for Parliamentary 71% for Federalism;
28% for Presidential 28% for Unitary
Palawan 82% for Parliamentary Majority for Federalism, preferably
18% for Presidential with Palawan as a federal state
Region X. 64% for Parliamentary Almost all for Federalism
Region XI. 70% for Parliamentary Almost all for Federalism,
07% for Presidential, 22% abstained
On the National Patrimony and Economic Reforms - In general, regional representatives were open to relaxing or liberalizing the citizen requirements in order to encourage more foreign investments in the country, but some expressed certain reservations because of the many different constitutional provisions involved. (PNA ConCom Press Center) [top]
very enlightening ... It seems Visayans are more keen on going Parliamentary but Mndanaoans are more concerned with Federalism

good to hear parliamentary/federal form of govt gaining support from the countryside :)

Haaay...These places want federalism to have more powers (political, financial and administrative). Remember, these places are against the current system because they believe that it is dominated by the capital, Metro Manila. That's why they call it 'Imperial Manila.' Anyway, I think it would also be helpful for their own localities. With more additional powers they could do more to help develop their own localities and compete with Manila and someday surpass Manila's progress. The problem is, places with few resources and poor infrastructures would take a long time to be at par with other places. Or worst they would be stucked in poverty and be left behind forever, especially in places like ARMM and CAR.

Look whose talking....
localities in the southern part don't compete with Manila... this would generate more income for every small and poorer provinces and you should be happy for that...

not dominated by Metro Manila but those provinces are left far behind by developments... by federal system, infras would rise and more developments...

Manila would look better and more livable if the developments will be scatttered all over the country... It is good for Manila...

In any case, our present system of government seems to be in a rut, in terms of improving our lot as a nation. It's time for a change, but whether the change would actually be good for us, we can only hope.

In any case, our present system of government seems to be in a rut, in terms of improving our lot as a nation. It's time for a change, but whether the change would actually be good for us, we can only hope.

So the citizens of this Nation is still hoping and always hoping except here in Cebu... people here are already very active (active than the polititians) interms of different developments and excited in the outcome of their participation in several years... If the Philippine nation is still hoping, here in Cebu everyone is already targeting its goal for a beter future...

If you hope for the government to become better, well it's like you're hoping for nothing...
but if you will start to act now not depending on the government, your hope will become a reality sooner...

It is not the change would make us 100% changed but also our attitude, we should change our attitude as dependents...
we should stop making Juan as our symbol...

Look whose talking....
localities in the southern part don't compete with Manila... this would generate more income for every small and poorer provinces and you should be happy for that...

not dominated by Metro Manila but those provinces are left far behind by developments... by federal system, infras would rise and more developments...

Manila would look better and more livable if the developments will be scatttered all over the country... It is good for Manila...

1st paragraph:
Of course, the southern part would not compete with Manila! Have I said something like that before? I said: IF there would be federalism, then they could improve their finances, etc and could do better or compete with Manila someday, because we all know that Mindanao is rich in natural resources. The only problem is they are not the priority of government at present. Power is much concentrated in Manila. In a federal structure or even in a unitary one, competition is still inevitable. Espacially in terms of tourism, finances, etc. Some parts of southern Min. could not compete with Manila certaintly because of their peace and order situation.


2nd paragraph:
That is exactly the point! Because of the lack of developments in their areas they could not compete with other places. But why are there lack of developments in the south? Because the government is prioritizing the capital and other places mostly in Luzon than Min. That is why the other regions are calling it the 'Imperialism of Manila.' Becuase funds and other perks are mostly concentrated in the north or central Phil.

With federalism, they could gain more powers (financially, politically and administratively) and may lead to developments. BUT it is not always the case. Some regions have small population, so there's less money from taxes. Some have less resources to exploit. So in the end they could become poorer.

And in the progressive parts of the country, the locals may demand independence instead of joining the federation. Especially like what happened to Malaysia. Singapore and Brunei refused to join the federation because of the difference in cultures and also because of the natural resources. Common sense, would you want to give your wealth to other places? Of course not! So instead of joining they would just stand on their own.

3th paragraph:
Yes it may be good for Manila because of decongestion. But it would also result to lower finances. Don't you know that the large population in the capital makes it more special and important? Because more people means more taxes, more trade and more demand for establishments and the population is only concentrated in a single place. The only problem is that the rate of migration from the rural areas are faster than the rate of development.

Federalism may be bad for our country because instead of having a unified nation we might end up into pieces. Take note, we're still a unitary nation but some places (Mindanao, Ilocos, Bicol, Negros etc.) are already planning to establish their own "republics." And that would be very very dangerous to the existence of the Philippine state.

I'm not against federalism and parliamentary form of government. But I don't want the country to shift immediately certainly because we are not yet ready. You need certain requirments before doing this. It's like the case of upgrading your computer while having a low amount of memory or not having the right requirements for the upgrade. If they would do this ASAP then it might bring worse crises and more problems than what we have now in the current system.

So the citizens of this Nation is still hoping and always hoping except here in Cebu... people here are already very active (active than the polititians) interms of different developments and excited in the outcome of their participation in several years... If the Philippine nation is still hoping, here in Cebu everyone is already targeting its goal for a beter future...

If you hope for the government to become better, well it's like you're hoping for nothing...
but if you will start to act now not depending on the government, your hope will become a reality sooner...

It is not the change would make us 100% changed but also our attitude, we should change our attitude as dependents...
we should stop making Juan as our symbol...

Hope does not preclude action. The two are not mutually exclusive. No need to take a high-and-mighty attitude regarding the achievements of cebuanos. Indeed, you have the right to be proud, but not conceited.

Hope does not preclude action. The two are not mutually exclusive. No need to take a high-and-mighty attitude regarding the achievements of cebuanos. Indeed, you have the right to be proud, but not conceited.

I'm just basing on the comments of our fellow Filipinos here... They come from different parts of the country and they always say we're still slow, we're still hoping etc... so the reality is their places are still waiting for something on the government... but here in Cebu, it's the other way around, everyone is doing their part for the betterment of their city... I'm also basing my comment on the actions of the people here infact before I always think like what you are thinking that our country has no pag asa but now I found out that if we act right now and think of what we can do for our future our perception will shift from all negative to all positive... so sorry if I don't believe those negative hearsays about our country but truely believe that we're still strong enough for us to take off...

And you are saying that you have the right to be proud but not conceited....
that attitude again, what you're pointing out that we're better than you? friend, you can be better than us if you and your people will start to move on... I'm not saying here that Cebu is already far ahead but what I'm trying to say is that they are already doing something for them to succeed...
I'm not conceited, I'm just telling the truth and I expect you too that you will tell the truth about your place, that your places are also steping forward... Try to believe positively and disregard those negative hearsays, you can't stop thinking that you are moving forward...

It is not the change would make us 100% changed but also our attitude, we should change our attitude as dependents...
we should stop making Juan as our symbol...

Who is Juan?

This reminds me of @sugarboy's posting in the Pun with Words thread:

In the meantime....

Two Bacolod detectives at the were investigating the murder of Juan.
"How was he killed?" asked one detective.
"With a golf gun," the other detective replied.
"A golf gun?! What is a golf gun?" he asked.
"I don't know, but it sure made a hole in Juan."

Moral of the story: We should stop making Juan as our symbol.

Who is Juan?

This reminds me of @sugarboy's posting in the Pun with Words thread:



Moral of the story: We should stop making Juan as our symbol.

Juan Tamad, he's one of famous Filipino symbol that sits and lies down under a guava tree waiting for the fruit to fall down on his mouth... I have no idea if it's true or a myth...

1st paragraph:
With federalism, they could gain more powers (financially, politically and administratively) and may lead to developments. BUT it is not always the case. Some regions have small population, so there's less money from taxes. Some have less resources to exploit. So in the end they could become poorer.

I don't think that'll happen... It is but logical to just merge poorer regions or scarcely populated ones with other regions so that they will become more stable.

Regions will not get less taxes because they don't have to send a big chunk of their revenue to the nat'l gov't and get as little portion in return.

But some of the regions, I must agree, are more dependent on the IRA (Internal Revenue Allotment) than others. If anything, they will surely be forced to find more sources of revenue because they know they can't depend on the Nat'l Gov't any more. Our entire country is naturally blessed with resources anyways, I'm sure there's a lot of resources to exploit.

And in the progressive parts of the country, the locals may demand independence instead of joining the federation. Especially like what happened to Malaysia. Singapore and Brunei refused to join the federation because of the difference in cultures and also because of the natural resources. Common sense, would you want to give your wealth to other places? Of course not! So instead of joining they would just stand on their own.
I hope this does not come true but if they are truly serious with seperating, then why should we force them to be dragged behind our country's slow pace. If they think they can do better on their own then they should be granted their own independence, we should not deny them of their envisioned "progress".

But I do not find it likely that some regions will seperate. It will be more beneficial for all to stick together. The grievances of (some regions in)forming a seperate republic is due to our present centralized set-up (Imperial Manila), I'm sure a shift to federalism will subdue that.

3th paragraph:
Yes it may be good for Manila because of decongestion. But it would also result to lower finances. Don't you know that the large population in the capital makes it more special and important? Because more people means more taxes, more trade and more demand for establishments and the population is only concentrated in a single place. The only problem is that the rate of migration from the rural areas are faster than the rate of development.
Yes decentralization will decongest Manila, thats a good thing! but having a large population doesn't make a capital more special and important than a capital which is not over-populated and has enough resources to provide good healthy lives for all...

MM will still be the capital of the Philippines, and it's but natural that the flow of money will always be towards MM. Once the states become progressive and developed, its progress will still spill over to the capital and development will be closer to become equally distributed. Everyone will benefit

Federalism may be bad for our country because instead of having a unified nation we might end up into pieces. Take note, we're still a unitary nation but some places (Mindanao, Ilocos, Bicol, Negros etc.) are already planning to establish their own "republics." And that would be very very dangerous to the existence of the Philippine state.

Our nation is already becoming more and more far apart because of Imperial Manila. Federalism might be key to unify the country

I'm not against federalism and parliamentary form of government. But I don't want the country to shift immediately certainly because we are not yet ready. You need certain requirments before doing this. It's like the case of upgrading your computer while having a low amount of memory or not having the right requirements for the upgrade. If they would do this ASAP then it might bring worse crises and more problems than what we have now in the current system.
Flipinos has been lobbying for federalism for decades already. Today, that the cries of federalism is stronger than ever, I couldn't find a better time for change.

There is always fear and anxiety when anticipating change (especially one as big as this). But not changing will only make things worse

Flipinos has been lobbying for federalism for decades already. Today, that the cries of federalism is stronger than ever, I couldn't find a better time for change.

There is always fear and anxiety when anticipating change (especially one as big as this). But not changing will only make things worse

But the type of "Federalism" that some Filipinos were clamoring for in the distant past was federalism under the US of A. There was this perpetual presidential aspirant named Cabangbang who espoused US Statehood then. But this snippet is an aside.

But the type of "Federalism" that some Filipinos were clamoring for in the distant past was federalism under the US of A. There was this perpetual presidential aspirant named Cabangbang who espoused US Statehood then. But this snippet is an aside.

so tell us your own solutions of you don't want change?

or maybe you're just contented of rally then impeach then someone will take over then rally again, impeach then take over....

why not try it...

Lighten up, slerz. I said that snippet was an aside. (A different context of 'federalism' as espoused decades ago than the 'federalism' being espoused now.)

I don't profess to know the solutions nor am I averse to changes provided it's for the betterment of the country. I like your gungho, optimistic attitude, though, even if a bit confrontational and defensive at times.

Whatever form of government we implement, if the corrupt and powerful can still get away with their wrongdoing, the country will still have slow development. The presidential form of government served as well until Marcos got drunk with power. So ano ba ang problema, ang sistema o ang gumagamit ng sistema? Wala sa porma ng gobyerno ang kasagutan sa problema ng Pilipinas kundi ang pagsupil sa kultura ng korupsyon at kasiguruhan ng parusa sa mga korupt. Kahit pagbalentong balentongin pa natin and porma ng gobyerno, the corrupt will always find a way to evilize the system. On the other hand, good people can make systems with weaknesses and limitations work. Hindi kinailangan ni BF ng Marikina, ni Sonny Belmonte ng QC, ni Jesse Robredo ng Naga City, ng mga Osmena ng Cebu o kahit ni Bongbong Marcos ng Ilocos Norte ang Federalismo para mapaunlad ang kanilang nasasakupan gamit ang limitadong pondo na nakakalap nila sa kasalukuyang sistema. Gusto lang ng ilang politiko na maging automatik at lumaki ang kontrolado nilang pondo para hindi na sila mamalimos sa Presidente. Pero ang tanong eh papaano nila ginagamit ang pera ng bayan? Ginagamit ba nila ng wasto o itinatapon sa korupsyon.

Systems of government don't fail us, corrupt people do.