Crime and federalism
CRIME, drugs, the venalities of government, and shattered illusions, repeated ten-fold after every election, have made the currency of Davao Mayor Rodrigo Digong Duterte possible before an impatient electorate. Mired in national frustration over the ability of incumbent and “wanna-be” leaders engraved in similar molds, granted the support of good staff work and hired merchandising teams in order to weave-sugar coated punch-lines for a better future, the people may just be shifting their taste, preferring a candidate who is straight-talking, and in a manner of speech, “shooting down” the problems.
They want a candidate without re-packaging who will tell them the unvarnished truth. An aspirant who candidly provides the narrative, bravely identifying the problems and the solutions. And why not – the suffering has been generational. The people have long gained entitlement. They want answers and solutions not later, but now. The heads-up visioning can come later.
This is the phenomenon of Digong. He seems to realize and fulfill an identified and un-served need in our people. A desperate searching for leadership. We are getting to the point of fatigue over the same problems. One can sense that the balm of our precious illusions over elected leaders and the flag waving will no longer suffice to shield us from the harsh reality of a republic in trouble unless direct intervention occurs. And Duterte, although provocative and at the very least controversial because he is irreverent, catches the attention of those extremely disliking him and those desperate for action. Either way, his ratings if they are to be believed are rising. He seems to be cutting adherence from a wide swathe of voter constituency and eating into the bailiwick of other contenders.
Another issue finding traction for Duterte is the “federal” mystique he is espousing since he belongs to the PDP-Laban. These are the local governments left out of the attention of “Imperial Manila” and a “most favored Luzon” in terms of services, investments, infra projects, and national offices with senators and the highest offices captured. Not to mention major media networks empowering the very “evil” Visayans and Mindanaoans are frowning against. What form, shape, or size of federalism remains unclear as of the present time. But as to federalism being a formula is another matter.
An urgent bill reforming the LGU sharing with the national coffers is a politically simpler and least costly solution – 60%? And with an “automatic retention” clause so LGUs need not wait, beg, or be subjected to politicking to retrieve their share. Besides, federalism replicates bureaucratic fat, bloats cost of governance, and enhances our tribal cleavages, the starting point of which is totally alien to our history.