JDV WANTS TO PUSH FEDERALISM
MANILA, APRIL 27, 2008 (STAR) By Delon Porcalla - Congressmen led by Pangasinan Rep. Jose de Venecia Jr. have expressed support for the move by senators to shift to a federal system of government and the creation of 11 federal states in the country, even as some opposition figures led by former President Joseph Estrada said federalism will further divide the country.De Venecia said the creation of federal states in the country is “a safeguard against separatism.”
“(Federalism) will protect the identities of our diverse communities and empower them to take their future into their own hands,” the former Speaker said.
De Venecia said the rebellions the country has experienced had been sparked by movements to separate from “Imperial Manila.”
He said these rebellions have forced Manila to concede to the creation of two autonomous regions, one for the indigenous peoples of Northern Luzon, and another for the Muslim communities of Central Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago.
“Because of Manila’s continued control of public finances, autonomy merely starved devolved Cabinet department functions of funds and created a culture of dependency in our local governments,” De Venecia pointed out.
Valenzuela City Rep. Rex Gatchalian said he is open to amending the 1987 Constitution to allow a federal system of government, but maintained the amendment should only focus on creating the federal states and other constitutional issues in relation to the federal system of government.
He said any moves to revise the Charter “should be forward looking and should not benefit its proponents, particularly lawmakers who are no longer eligible for re-election in 2010.”
“An amendment to the Constitution, specifically for a federal system of government, could be done through a referendum that can be synchronized with the presidential elections in 2010,” Gatchalian proposed.
Surigao del Norte Rep. Guillermo Romarate Jr. said the time is ripe for the country to adopt a federal system of government.
“If this is the only way countryside or rural areas will progress then by all means, I will give my 101 percent support to the proposal once it reaches Congress,” Romarate said.
Speaker Prospero Nograles earlier assured the public that any amendment to the Constitution changing the form of government will be implemented only after 2010, or when the term of President Arroyo expires.
Nograles said his advocacy in favor of federalism has not changed, since he is representing Davao City in Mindanao.
Nograles stressed that the move for Charter change will only focus on discussions and debates over the issue.
“We can talk about it, we can debate it. What we wanted is to implement it after 2010. We will not allow the changes before 2010. But certainly, if it’s a matter of discussion, it’s best to discuss it early. Talks on these issues could drag on (and) this is not something you can finish overnight,” he said.
Nograles noted the initiative came from Sen. Aquilino Pimentel Jr., the leader of the opposition in the Senate.
Pimentel proposed the amendment of the Constitution to allow the creation of 11 federal states carved out from the existing political regions of the country, including Metro Manila.
Pimentel said he filed the resolution to initiate moves for the adoption of a federal system of government before President Arroyo’s term expires on 2010. He said a federal system would spur development outside Metro Manila and address the decades-long secessionist movement in Mindanao.
Pimentel’s proposal was supported by a bipartisan group of 11 other senators led by Senate President Manuel Villar Jr. who signed the resolution calling for Charter change for a federal system of government. – With Jose Rodel Clapano, Paolo Romero, Ben Serrano
Reported by: Sol Jose Vanzi
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