FEDERAL STATE WOULD RETAIN PRESIDENTIAL SYSTEM OF GOVT
MANILA, APRIL 28, 2008 (STAR) Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr.’s proposal to amend the Constitution and transform the Philippines into a federal state would retain the presidential system of government.In a statement, Pimentel said he and 11 other senators seek to replace the existing unitary system in which powers are concentrated in the national government in Metro Manila.
“The present Constitution provides for a unitary system of government where the country’s development programs are centrally determined, planned, funded and implemented by the national government in Manila,” he said.
Pimentel said under a federal system, the powers of government are delegated to the different federal states to enable them to run their affairs with the least interference from the federal government.
“Apparently, there is some misconception that the adoption of a federal system will mean the phaseout of the presidential form, and this is causing apprehensions in a lot of people, especially those who are intending to run for top government positions in the 2010 elections,” he said.
“But this is farthest from truth because the presidential setup will be retained even if we shift to a federal system,” he said.
Pimentel said he is not calling for a shift from the presidential to a parliamentary form of government.
His proposal pertains to the sharing of powers between the federal government and the component states than to the sharing of powers between the executive and legislative branches of government, he added.
A “highly centralized” system of government has brought about “spotty development” of the nation where preferential treatment has been given to localities whose officials are “friendly” with the incumbent administration, Pimentel said. – Christina Mendez
Reported by: Sol Jose Vanzi
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