On the proposed 2-18 federated regions

“For which of you, wishing to build a tower, does not sit down first and calculate the outlays that are necessary, whether he has the means to complete it? Lest after he has laid the foundation and is not able to finish, all who behold begin to mock him, saying, “This man begin to build and was not able to finish” (Luke 14:28-30)

-oOo

“THE SHIFT of a Federal

System may be equated to color gray. Hence, the different (some controversial) proposals on the number of Federal Regions to be created in the Philippines may be considered as different shades of gray,” recently stated by Atty. Antonio Arellano, a Consultative Committee member.

In the same vein, I’ve been saying ever since that to avoid confusion in the advocacy of Federalism, all Federalism models proposed at this point in time, must be considered as such, merely proposals.

There are four types of Federalism in the world today namely:

Cooperative Federalism such as in Germany, Ethiopia, South Africa and Venezuela. Its characteristics are: shared functions, focus on providing services, broadly, collaborative patterns; National government and Federal State Governments cooperative in solving problems; Powers of the States consistently diminish; Intertwine policy-making and administrative functions of Federal States and National Governments;

Competitive Federalism such as in Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada , and USA. Its characteristics are: National Government has worked to reduce its role in Federal State and Local Governments; The Federal State and Local Governments have regulatory functions; Carrot and Stick” approach.

Permissive Federalism such as in Austria, India, Malaysia, Mexico, and USSR. Its characteristics are: The Federal States are subordinated to the National Government and that they derive their existence and authority from the National Government; Federal States have only those powers and authorities permitted to them by the National Government.

Coercive Federalism such as in Nigeria which is a Federal Military Government. Its characteristics are: The Federal National Government continues to “direct” the State-policy; Preemption of State Laws; Unfunded Mandates.

Which of these Federalism type do you think is most appropriate to the Philippines. Let’s further discuss this is our forms.

In this connection, I see two options we can take namely:

1. Holding a Mindanao Federalism Workshop with UNDP assistance (which is now being worked out by Atty. Bong Parcasio) and then 2) Dialogue with IATF by presenting to them our Mindanao Federalism Workshopʼs groupsʼ output, copy furnish Malacañan.

In the meantime, let’s also agree on a List of Do’s and Don’ts that should guide us in our coming Mindanao Federalism Workshop. For instance under the Dos:

Let’s adopt these Governing Principles. 1. Autonomy,

2. Subsidiarity, 3. Solidarity, 4. Equity, 5. Inclusivity and 6. Empowerment

Let’s adopt the well-thought of Criteria in the creation of Federal Regions namely: 1. Some common ethnic, linguistic, and cultural features, 2. Geographic contiguity or proximity,

3. Economic potential and viability of the proposed states or regional governments. 4. Historical consideration, and 5. Non-abolition of any local government unit.

Let’s seriously consider the expressed desire of the latest Kilos Pederal sa Pagbabago (kPP’s) Mindanoa-wide Federalism Summit (held at Men Seng Hotel) participants for strong Federal Regions in a Competitive type of Fedearlism.

Let’s likewise seriously take into account the two wise comments of expert Federalists concerning financial considerations in going federal below:

Former DILG Director Dr. Gaudioso Sosmeña Jr.,”Determining the number of states in the country is dependent on financial capacities and revenue base of each of the proposed state. A study on Federalism supported by the Konrad Adeneur Stiftung, Philippines showed that it will cost approximately P202 billion to organize and manage a state government for a period of one year. Realities, therefore, do not allow eleven viable states.

Dr. Adrian Tamayo in his paper, Fiscal Federalism: “Assignment of powers and number of states in Federal Philippines,” states that it would take P440 billion to operate one RegionalGovenrment. That the most viable number of Regional Governments in a Federal Philippine is 5 Regional Governments.

Let’s adopt the concept of “Incremental Strategy” in the creating of Federal Regions. Anyway all Constitutions can

be amended or revised to create other Federal Regions in the future. The Constitution is a “living thing.”

Under the Don’ts: Disregarding the ideals and aspirations of our people particularly pro-federalism sectors due to lack of honest-to-goodness consultations; Fragmentation of our country into “Political Fiefdoms” that promote warlordism and political dynasties; Bloat tremendously our bureaucracy making our federalization financially unviable and “will wreak havoc to our economy; Creation of poor regions that will need continuous subsidies and encourage mendicancy; Create a very dominant Federal Region; Creation of unnecessary disruptions like abolition of any local government unit and/or regional development councils with their regional office.

Latly, may I suggest that we invite DILG Secretary Eduardo Año to bed our Keynote Speaker during our Mindanao Federalism Workshop.

We must push back the ignorance of going Federal. “We must do this right or else we might create more problems that we intend to solve”, KPP Chair Atty. Albay Vicente R. Albay succinctly pointed out. Atty. Albay’s commentary is worth remembering as we participate in our coming Workshop.