Unitary system ‘not suitable' for Philippines

House Speaker says current system, which was imposed by the country’s colonizers, “has contributed to the cycles of intergenerational conflict, hampered economic growth and stunted development”

HOUSE Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez said that the present unitary presidential system of government is "incompatible with Philippine historical experience."

He said the current system, which was imposed by the country's colonizers, "has contributed to the cycles of inter-generational conflict, hampered economic growth and stunted development."

Alvarez said the states to be created under the proposed shift to a federal government will have real autonomy to chart their respective courses, with the end-in-view of fostering lasting peace and achieving economic growth.

"Through federalism, by granting more and specific powers to the state governments, the red tape that leads all the way to Manila will be cut, thus reducing delays and uncertainties inimical to businesses," said Alvarez.

The House leader said, "The shift to federalism will address and eventually end historical injustices" that have caused human sufferings and destruction of properties particularly the more than five-decade long Muslim insurgency in Mindanao.

"Peace is good for people and for business," Alvarez said.

Amend

Last Thursday, Alvarez revealed that President Rodrigo Duterte had changed his mind and agreed to amend the 1987 Constitution through Constituent Assembly (Con-Ass) citing budget constraints.

Alvarez said Constitutional convention (Concon) procedure, which was earlier supported by Duterte, will cost the National Government around P7 billion during an entire operational time-frame.

Meanwhile, Alvarez vows that there will be "no conflict" with the Congress' primary role of enacting laws” while the Con- Ass procedure is ongoing.

"We can work around our regular schedules to convene as a constituent assembly for the proposed constitutional amendments," said Alvarez.