Costly shift to federalism

Economists said that the shift to the federal form of government proposed by the Puno Commission would cost P156 billion to P243 billion every year.

Those who want to retain the unitary form jumped at the calculation and fielded it as an argument against federalism.

I try to find out where cuts are possible to reduce the cost.

One is to give up the concept of 18 federated regions and to revert to the 11 states first proposed by former Senate President Aquilino Pimentel Jr.

The concept is based on eight existing lowland peoples, namely the Tagalogs, Ilocanos, Pampangueños, Pangasinenses, Bicolanos, Warays, Cebuanos and Ilonggos, then the Cordillera tribes and the Muslims in Mindanao plus Manila-National Capital Region. That makes 11 states.

These make more sense than the 18 regions proposal based on geographical and political viewpoints. This means less new administration buildings and related infrastructure; less expenses for the salaries of the state legislators, executives and judiciaries.

Another way to reduce expenditure is fighting criminality, in particular drugs and corruption. Less criminals will result in more productive citizens, and less policemen, jail guards, judges, rehabilitation workers and auditors.

Therefor the strengthening of the judiciary with four federal high courts and numerous lower state courts is a profitable investment. A functioning justice system will attract investors.

Fighting extremism and rebellion will reduce victimization of and expenditures for the Federal Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Investment in the educational system will lead to a more responsible and well considered behavior.

Doubling the teachers’ salaries will prompt more teachers teaching in the country and bring about an adequate student – teacher ratio. Better education and job qualification will result in higher income and taxes as well as in reduced expenses for poverty alleviation. Quality is expensive first but pays back soon.

Twenty-four senators are a heavy burden on the budget. They have no role to play in a federation.

In a proportional system, elected party members in the Federal parliament can do the legislation without the concurrence of a nationwide-elected Senate that has no accountability to any sector or geographic unit.

The unjust decisions in the much dreaded Commission on Appointments have thwarted many a competent department secretary and appointee from serving the people. An appointee by a president elected by an absolute majority according to the French system doesn’t need confirmation.

But the climax of splurging taxpayers’ money is the planned new Senate building. Sen. Panfilo Lacson figured it would cost P10 billion. A more realistic estimate by a columnist is P18 billion.

It has four pillars of democracy: justice, equality, freedom and representation. What hypocrazy!

- Erich Wannemacher, German expat

I don't know where I am now physically but I have to wait for that. But I would tell you if it's cancer, it's cancer. President Rodrigo R. Duterte

The first became moot when she resigned last Wednesday (Oct. 3). She is free to write now but, like any other person, there are legal restrictions such as the crimes of libel, contempt and inciting to sedition. She'll have free rein on offensive language within the bounds of social media, which allows only a certain volume of garbage. PACHICO A. SEARES