Federalism?

Apparently, there have been many sessions about federalism organized for local government officials and other groups done through government agencies all throughout the country. I learned that NEDA and DILG have organized such discussions for various groups. Have these government agencies ensured that their public gatherings about Federalism involve as many of our people, including our youth?

Have you or your organization been invited to these government-sponsored public fora? Have you personally been asked to attend any public discussion about the proposed shift to federalism?

Do you know what federalism is? Do you know why, at this time, there is an active campaign to change our present political system to federalism?

Do you know the impact of federalism on you, your household, your community, your province, your region and the rest of this country?

If by this time, you do not yet know about federalism, best to ask your barangay or better still, best to organize your own discussion group, analyze the PDP Laban proposed Federalism model. Find time to study other models and information about federalism, discussing the pros and cons of having our present political system changed, how, why, for what goals, for whose benefits?

Gratefully, we were invited to join the " People's Conversation on Federalism" sponsored by the Kaabag sa Sugbo and the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung last Tuesday, October 24 and Wednesday, October 25.

Here are some highlights of the October 24 discussion: The speakers took the participants to review and assess the current Philippine political system. Dr. Jorge Tigno of the Department of Political Science of the UP Diliman recalled the important features of RA 7160, more popularly known as the Local Government Code (LGC) to decongest the central government, to uphold local autonomy, to encourage political participation, to promote popular accountability and democratic governance, to enhance local capacities, among others, and its important clause for a mandatory review by Congress every 5 years. Is the current political system broken or just bent, he asked?

Atty. Michael Henry Yusingco, a non-resident research fellow of the Ateneo School of Government discussed the topic " Devolutions, dynasties, and development–and what this implies as we shift to a federal system." Federalism, he said, can be changed through amendments of present laws or through a change in the Constitution. There is also a need to ensure that federalism unite, not divide the nation.

Atty. Ian Lucero spoke about "The LGC Thus Far: Lessons for Local Governments and Citizens," sharing some notes about the success story of certain local governments regarding fiscal autonomy and the need to review and revise the LGC.

FES Resident Representative, Dr. Johannes Kadura, opened the afternoon session reminding the participants about the intent of the public conversation to allow all to better understand federalism.

Dr. Paul Hutchcroft, Professor of Political and Social Change of the Australian National University discussed more about federalism in the wider context of the following three basic decisions of democratic political reform which he stressed were diversely mixed and matched around the world: 1) central or local relations: (unitary or federal), 2) representational structures (presidential, parliamentary, or a hybrid of the two) and 3) electoral system (plurality, proportional representation, party-list, or some combination). Mr. Philipp da Cunha, a member of the State Parliament in Germany explained about their federal system.

So much to study and several existing models for us to review and decide which model of federalism is best for our country, based on our needs and goals, if we want the shift.

The proponents say federalism is the answer. We join others who ask in turn, if federalism is the answer, what are the questions?