On federalism, Sister Fox, and PET recount

There are days when there are so many topics I want to write about in a single column. Today, I would like some insights on several topics. I begin with federalism.

For the sake of full disclosure, I strongly believe that the Philippines should adopt a federal form of government. I am not active in any political organization any more, but I joined PDP-Laban in 1983 and remained active for two decades because one of its major tenets was that federalism should be the form of government in this country. I am, therefore, not a new convert because I have been propagating federalism in various forums and in several of my past columns for the past 36 years.

I understand that this topic is highly political and emotional. I will not reiterate the arguments in favor of federalism because I have already done this in past columns. However, I do want to clarify certain issues that are, I believe, adding some confusion to the debate. First, federalism does not mean that the regions or states will become independent or even quasi independent. There will simply be a sharing of powers and the national government will retain tremendous powers including control of the currency, armed forces, foreign affairs, customs union and intra regional transportation and communication. There will be a federal judiciary and laws passed by the national government will supersede those passed by the state or regional governments except those expressly provided by the Constitution.

Second, the issue of political family dynasty should be a separate topic from federalism. The restriction on family dynasties should be in our Constitution regardless of the form of government.

Third, the past Philippine constitutions originated from the 1935 Constitution which installed a highly centralized form of government. That was a time when the Philippines had a population of only 18 million or so; and, it was still a commonwealth under the United States. A basic management tenet is that as an organization grows in size and diversity there is a need to decentralize management.

Finally, I fully support the government’s call for the immediate passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) which will be a necessary step for peace in Mindanao. Hopefully, the legislators will heed President Duterte’s urgent call to pass this bill by next month.

I recently received an email message from former Senate President Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel Sr. who was also founding president of PDP-Laban. I have always considered Nene as a person of the highest integrity who, like Claro Recto and Pepe Diokno, should have been president of the Philippines. I am sharing his message with my readers as follows:

“Dear Fren: Sharing with you the following unsolicited advice on the case of Sister Pat Fox:

No question Sister Fox has the right to be heard. We are a democratic country run by the rule of law. Not by the authoritarian whims of those in government. Moreover, even as I also believe that foreigners should not exercise rights that belong to our citizens alone, considering the circumstances of the case of Sister Pat, there is no urgent need for her to be deported IMMEDIATELY.

She does not advocate violence. She does not incite hatred. She does not urge people to do away with the rule of law. In short, Sister Pat is entitled to ventilate her side of the case. That’s what due process in a democracy means.

Nene Pimentel”

A group of 60 outstanding women recently issued a statement regarding the ongoing election recount on the vice presidential election. Here is their manifesto:

“The Outstanding Women in the Nation’s Service (TOWNS)

STATEMENT ON PET’S CHANGING OF RULES ON VOTES RECOUNT

We express grave concern about the injustice that is currently happening at the recount of votes for the Vice Presidency. We believe that indiscriminately and arbitrarily changing the rules in the middle of the game is tantamount to stealing the votes of the Filipino people. We appeal to the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET) to refer to the latest resolution penned by the Commission on Election en banc dated September 6, 2016. It confirmed the rules used by vote counting machines during the 2016 national and local elections. The resolution states that ovals shaded or marked at least 25% are counted as legitimate votes. It is just fair to use the same parameters in the present manual recount. Such threshold ensures that the markings are not accidental, but at the same time, counts even the votes of those who might be aged or might have difficulty in writing, among others. It came as a complete shock that the PET has suddenly decided to adopt an older 2010 rule, which sets the threshold of shading at 50%. This is not consistent with the rules used during the 2016 election. We want to have our voices heard. We ask the PET to respect justice and fair play and protect the votes of the ordinary Filipino by rescinding its new rule that sets a threshold of 50% shading.

TOWNS list of signatories: Rhodora Romero-Aldemita, Isabel R. Aleta, Zorayda Amelia C. Alonzo, Carmina Aquino, Edwina Koch Arroyo, Glecy C. Atienza, Cherrie Atilano, Cynthia Bautista, Lilia Bautista, Maria Karina A. Bolasco, Ani de Leon-Brown, Esperanza Cabral, Gang Badoy Capati, Maria Rosa Nieva Carrion, Corazon Pe-Benito Claudio, Nieves Confessor, Olivia Coo, Lourdes J Cruz, Virginia C. Cuevas, Laura David, Rina Jimenez David, Elizabeth Protacio-Marcelino (De Castro), Lilia B. de Lima, Teresita Quintos Deles, Cynthia E. Dominguez, Ces Drilon, Jean Enriquez, Olivia A. Fer ry, Celeste Legaspi-Gallardo, Cheche Lazaro, Joi Barrios-Leblanc, June P. Lopez, Isa Lorenzo, Lisa Macuja, Aura Matias, Evelyn Mae Tecson Mendoza, Marie Antonette J. Meñez, Aisa Alvarez Mijeno, Gemma Teresa T Narisma, Deanie Lyn Ocampo, Ester Ogena,Yolanda V. Ong, Dina Ocampo, Lou Sabrina Ongkiko, Elsa Payumo, Regina Hechanova-Alampay, Alyssa Peleo-Alampay, Eleanor Pinugu, Hilly Ann Roa-Quiaoit, Amihan Bonifacio-Ramolete, Marissa V. Romero, Mediadora C Saniel, Teresita Ang See, Paulynn Paredes Sicam, Corazon J. Soliman, Maricor Soriano, Maria Corazon A. De Ungria, Imelda Virginia G. Villar, Nina Lim-Yuson, Catherine Vistro-Yu.”

Write Things Summer Workshop on May 7, 9, 11, 14, 16 and 18 (1:30-3:30 pm for 8-12 years old/ 4-6 pm for 13-17 years old); Young Writers’ Hangout on May 12, 19, 26 and June 2 (1:30 pm-3 pm; independent sessions); at Fully Booked BGC. For details and registration contact 09452273216 or writethingsph@gmail.com.

*** Email: elfrencruz@gmail.com