Cornejo
Federal Republic of the Philippines
Federalism is regarded as a form of government that is often utilized in countries with a
broad variety of socio-cultural diversities. Public administration and federalism have a close
relationship, as stated by Kincaid and Cole (2016), Usually, it is characterized as "a dual system
consisting of the federation and the nations." Furthermore, this concept unites many regional
units while facilitating the devolution of legal and executive authority, as well as the
decentralization of economic power. It considers the state of the world and the Philippine
context, deciding on the best strategy for promoting structural and political reforms to improve
governance capabilities through enhanced accountability and transparency of public officials.
Throughout the lens of history, José Rizal was generally the first one who originally suggested
that the Philippines should have a federal government. In his essay, "The Philippines a Century
Hence,” which was published in 1889 by the Barcelona-based propaganda publication La
Solidaridad, he articulated his concept of federalist administration. Additionally, during the
former President Rodrigo Duterte’s term, he endorsed a proposed federal constitution presented
to the Philippine Congress by a Consultative Committee. The proposal complies with Duterte's
commitment made during the presidential campaign in 2016. He stated that the disputes and
underdevelopment in Mindanao, where Davao City, which he led as mayor, is located, can be
resolved only through federalism. The Philippines will reportedly be split up into 18 federated
regions. By dividing up a portion of the powers currently held mostly by the country's
Manila-centric style of government, regions will have complete leverage over raising their own
income, defining their own law, and selecting their economic growth plans. (Heydarian, 2018)
Hypothetically, in understanding the context of Federalism in the Philippines, we must first
acquire adequate knowledge in the lens of democracy and its underlying variables. With the help
of the Local Government Code and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, it
experimented implementing decentralization thirty years ago. Therefore, it is necessary to
consider equitable development while looking at federalism as a developmental tool.
Federalism can magnify democracy in choosing their desired leader in their own local area or
state. It is stated in the drafted constitution that the plurality system for the election of the
president is maintained. In doing so, we may speed up nation-building and development for the
dignity, security, prosperity, and welfare of our people as well as to improve our nation's capacity
to engage in the international community and economy, since the system has magnified equal
powers to each area. The states have the responsibility to establish policies which may not be
followed nationwide. Regional administrations can have the liberty to choose their variations of
electoral
process, and reform their institutions. For example, the predominantly Muslim
Bangsamoro state doesn't really recognize same-sex marriage, whereas liberal Metro Manila
allows. This allows them to preserve and recognize their own cultural and religious beliefs,
which in the case of our country, has been one of the main issues. As well as, increasing
economic status is advantageous in a federalist system since each local government can make the
best use of its resources to produce finances to efficiently carry out its programs and initiatives.
(Boex & Kelly, 2013 ) Financially, the amount of financial aid that provinces receive from the
federal government depends on their distance from Manila as well. This distance promotes the
reliance of the provinces on financial transfers. (Tusalem, 2019) Foreign investors, international
trade, might be an opportunity to enhance its innovation to the less developed states in the
Philippines whereas foreign investors can expand their operations.
However, Federalism has been the subject of many debates, as with any significant shift in
legislation. This includes the potential for elite domination, political resistance to constitutional
reform, ignorance of federalism, corruption, the national government's persistent highly
centralized tendencies, funding for federalism, and separatist fears. As much as it represents
great advantages to the social, cultural, and economic state of the Philippines, its gradual
transition and shift also possess a huge disadvantage to the Philippines. Federalism would
empower people – most especially the ruling class to control power over a region which may
lead to political dynasties galvanizing their control to authority. Some individuals think that the
federal
state of the Philippines would give the peripheries increased control. Redrawing
territorial borders, according to some, might upend the established order and increase political
rivalry between incumbents and newcomers. In relation to this analysis in the scope of the
Philippine state, federalism might also cause an uneven development of each state. This is
hypothetically because some regions might not be ready for autonomy unlike other regions,
thus, states who do not have effective governance might cause instability while others prosper.
Lastly, economy wise, the shift to a new form of system can cause financial burdens to the
country itself. The establishment of state and local governments and the provision of public
services would cost billions of pesos and according to some data, shifting to a federal
government requires P253.5 billion pesos. (De Vera, 2018) Then, states will have to pay for the
election of their representatives. Therefore, in order to create a multi-year comprehensive plan all
through reforms, the present administration would need professional assistance. It will be
necessary to research all data from the ground. Unexpected effects after the nation becomes
federally governed will be challenging to fix.
All things considered, Federalism in the Philippines might be a dream for some of the leaders for
constitutional shift and transition, in theory, meanwhile, this could eventually wind up becoming
a formula for catastrophe in a nation that is already split along racial, religious, and economic
divisions. Federalism may prove disastrous without such reforms to some constitutions, turning
the nation into a patchwork of local dynasties' fiefdoms (Teehankee, 2018).
References:
Boex, J., & Kelly, R. (2013).Fiscal Federalism and Intergovernmental Financial Relations. The
International Handbook of Public Financial Management (pp. 259-280). Palgrave Macmillan
UK.
Brillantes, A. and Ruiz, K. 2021. ‘Aligning the Federalism Discourse in the Philippines to the
Quest for Genuine Local Autonomy’, 50 Shades of Federalism.
De Vera, B. (2018 Aug 31). Shift to federalism to cost gov’t P253.5B, says NEDA: Disruption to
economic growth, infra development seen. Philippine Daily Inquirer.
https://business.inquirer.net/256427/shift-federalism-cost-govt-p253-5b-says-neda#ixzz6qhKl4n
K8
Garcia, Z. S. (2021, January 6). The Philippines' federal shift and what it means for business.
ASEAN Business News.
https://www.aseanbriefing.com/news/the-philippines-federal-shift-and-what-it-means-for-busines
s/
Heydarian, R. (2018 Jul 24). The implications of Duterte’s proposed constitutional changes.
Council on Foreign Relations.
https://www.cfr.org/blog/implications-dutertes-proposed-constitutional-changes
Kincaid, J., & Cole, R. (2016). Is the Teaching of Federalism and Intergovernmental Relations
Dead or Alive in U.S. Public Administration? Journal of Public Affairs Education, 22(4),
515-530.
Tusalem, R. F. (2019). Imperial Manila: How institutions and political geography disadvantage
Philippine provinces. Asian Journal of Comparative Politics, pp.1-35.
https:doi.org/10.1177/2057891119841441