Federalism brand in front; dangerous agenda in back

Branding Constitutional Change as “Federalism” is a neat and devious way to weaken our democracy.

Being a probinsiyana myself, I can sympathize with long time Davao Mayor Duterte’s passionate, and even seemingly sincere advocacy of Federalism.

In some earlier columns, having myself publicly espoused more power and budget authority to local governments, I see the benefits of a shift to a federal system of governance, if done right. Otherwise, it could just add one more decision and action layer to the already overburdened and slow bureaucracy. I also think it is time to return to regional, rather than national representation in the Senate which will allow probinsiyano leaders a chance to contribute to national policy, in lieu of too many showbiz and other celebrities who have national constituencies, thanks to their media impact.

Given the openly parochial thinking in the House of Representatives, I really hope the new Charter, if it comes to pass, will include the Senate in the legislature, for a broader, and perhaps wiser perspective on national policy.

However, what we have to watch out for is what I see as a hidden agenda to grant more and more authoritarian power to the current political leadership. Already, there are clear signs of the short sighted campaign to weaken constitutionally guaranteed independent institutions which were intended to strengthen and safeguard our democracy. There are brazen attacks on freedom of the Press (e.g., the Cases against Rappler), duplicating functions of the Ombudsman by creating the Presidential Adviser Against Crime and Corruption headed by the controversial Dante Jimenez with the sleazy, opportunistic reputation, the Presidential Committee on Human Rights to bypass the Constitutional Commission on Human Rights (CHR), which the President has openly defied and disparaged. The obsequious House even went as far as to decrease the CHR’s annual budget to one peso at one time.

Fortunately, strong local and international public outcry managed to restore the CHR Budget, but only by so much, practically killing its essential powers to investigate human rights abuses which have been increasing by leaps and bounds under this administration.

Aside from raising our fists against in your face, brazen attempts to railroad what can become a half-baked replacement of our imperfect but enlightened 1987 People’s Constitution, the fundamental law of the land which will guide our legal and governance policies in the future, we must push back more and more powerfully against short-sighted and politically motivated changes in our governance structures.

To begin with, we have to resist with voices loud and clear, the rush to pass so-called “Federalism” and get it into plebiscite in a few months! Thank God that PDPLaban founder and former senate president Aquilino Pimentel, Sr., who has been espousing federalism for years, has cautioned against rushing Charter Change.

One of the desired reforms that has been simmering for several administrations, the end to political dynasties, has no chance of being realized under the ConAss resolution by the House. How can these lawmakers if turned into Constitutional delegates be expected to go against their own interests? No way, Jose.

Branding Constitutional Change as “Federalism” is a neat and devious way of getting the people to respond positively by blinding them to the hidden agendas that will weaken our democracy: weakening Press freedom, rendering the Ombudsman, protector of the people’s interests, null and void, and perhaps eliminating it as an instrument of anti-corruption, and practically killing the Commission on Human Rights, one of the many enlightened provisions of our 1987 People’s Constitution.

The 1987 Constitution while imperfect, being a product of human effort, is one of the best in the world. In fact, the best, in the opinion of the honorable Chief Justice Hilario Davide who has declared his willingness to die for the present Constitution. If it is to be revised or replaced; it has got to be by a better one. Under this authoritarian government, and under an obsequious Con-Ass, fat chance of that.

We need to wake up from our complacency and see the hidden agendas behind this razzle dazzle branding of Constitutional Change as Federalism. It is more than that. It is a threat to our democracy.

It is the duty of leaders of civil society, academe, the business community, the youth, and principled media professionals and owners to enable our people to see through these subtle and deft campaign Cha-Cha strategies if we are to protect our hard fought ( by blood, sweat and tears) democracy which, let us remember, we lost not so long ago.