DILG STARTS FEDERALISM AWARENESS FORUM IN ARMM

COTABATO CITY: The roadshow aimed at raising public awareness on the proposed shift to a federal form of government has started in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) as well as in the nearby province of Maguindanao. The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), which leads the drive, reiterated that “shifting to a federal form of government perfectly aligns with the Bangsamoro’s hope for local autonomy.” DILG Assistant Secretary Jonathan Malaya assured that federalism will not undo the developments of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), but would serve as necessary push and support the Bangsamoro people need for the autonomy they have been fighting for. Secretary Gary Olivar of the Center for Federalism and Constitutional Reform, explained the proposed system — its principles and advantages — vis-a-vis the Bangsamoro Organic Law and the policy direction of President Rodrigo Duterte on shift to federal form of government are consistent with one another. Asked by the media on why most Filipinos are still not in favor of shifting to federalism, Professor Eddie Alih, a member of the Consultative Committee (ConCom) to Review the 1987 Constitution, said, “it is because they don’t have a broad and deep idea on federalism that’s why we are doing this information drive to build their understanding toward federalism.” Alih, a former chancellor of the Mindanao State University in Tawi-Tawi, discussed the economic reforms and fiscal administration, political and social reforms, constitutional bodies and public accountability and transition provisions. Article XI of the ConCom’s proposal, the federal republic will have 18 regions, 16 of which will be symmetrical. But the Bangsamoro and Cordilleras will have asymmetrical setups due to provisions of their autonomy, which recognizes ethnicity, culture, customs, traditions, language and distinct identities.