Federalism in the Philippines

{{Politics of the Philippines}}

The concept of a federal government for the Philippines was first suggested by José Rizal. He outlined his vision of federalist governance on his essay Filipinas dentro de cien años ("The Philippines a Century Hence") that was published by the Barcelona-based propaganda paper La Solidaridad in 1889.{{cite news|url=https://gulfnews.com/news/uae/pinoy/pinoy-federalism-in-the-philippines-42-questions-answered-1.2291930|title=#Pinoy: Federalism in the Philippines, 42 questions answered|last=Hilotin|first=Jay|date=October 24, 2018|work=GulfNews|access-date=October 25, 2018}}

In 1899, Filipino revolutionaries Emilio Aguinaldo and Apolinario Mabini also suggested dividing the islands into three federal states.{{cite news |date=May 28, 2016 |title=The debate on federalism |url=http://www.nst.com.my/news/2016/05/148273/debate-federalism?m=1 |access-date=April 17, 2015 |newspaper=New Straits Times}} The Federal State of the Visayas was established as a proposed administrative unit under a federal form of government but was abolished a year later by Aguinaldo's central government in Malolos.

One of the first proponents of federalism in the Philippines in the 21st century is professor Jose Abueva from the University of the Philippines who argued that a federal form of government is necessary to more efficiently cater to the needs of the country despite its diversity.{{cite web|url=http://www.up-ncpag.org/pdf/decentralization_federalism.pdf|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080819185513/http://www.up-ncpag.org/pdf/decentralization_federalism.pdf|archivedate=August 19, 2008|url-status=dead|title=Decentralization and federalism in the Philippines: Lessons from the global community|author1=Brillantes, A. B.|author2=Moscare, D.|date=2002}} The primary goals of a constitutional amendment is to increase decentralization, greater local power and access to resources most especially among regions outside Metro Manila which has long been dubbed as rather imperial.{{cite web|url=http://tacdrup.tripod.com/tacdrup/towards.pdf|title=Towards a Federal Republic of the Philippines: Liberating the country from the stifling, centralized, colonial control of "Imperial Manila"|author=Abueva, J. V.}}

Aside from Abueva, senator Aquilino Pimentel Jr. was a prominent supporter of federalism who, beginning in 2001, advocated for federalism. He saw the proposed system as a key component in alleviating the Mindanao crisis and appeasing Moro insurgents. According to Pimentel, even though federalism was never intended to appease any followers of any specific ideology of religion, it will also hasten economic development, since resource and financial mobilization is upon each state's or province's discretion without significant constraint from the central government.{{cite web|url=http://pcij.org/blog/wp-docs/Abueva-Federalism.pdf|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20051225171327/http://pcij.org/blog/wp-docs/Abueva-Federalism.pdf|archivedate=December 25, 2005|url-status=dead|title=Some advantages of federalism and parliamentary government for the Philippines|author=Abueva, J V.|date=2005}}

However, in 2009, after Senate and House resolutions supporting charter change were released, an estimated 13,000 to 15,000 people gathered in Makati to protest against these executive department-deriving proposals for constitutional reform. This was due to speculations that Philippine president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo would use such amendments to extend her hold in office.{{cite web|url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20090610-209782/Thousands-march-in-Makati-vs-Charter-change|title=Thousands march in Makati vs. charter change|access-date=April 17, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130721130638/http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20090610-209782/Thousands-march-in-Makati-vs-Charter-change|archive-date=July 21, 2013|url-status=dead}} In addition, Pulse Asia published in the same year their survey regarding public support for the proposed charter change; the survey reported that four out of ten Filipino adults, or 42% of all respondents, opposed the amendment, with 25% still undecided and 33% in favor. Pulse Asia furthered that from 2006 to 2009 there was no significant change of sentiment against the charter change proposal, although indecision increased by 6%.{{cite web|url=http://www.philstar.com/headlines/451705/42-pinoys-oppose-charter-change|title=42% of Pinoys oppose charter change|website=The Philippine STAR |access-date=April 17, 2015}}

In late 2014, then-Davao City mayor Rodrigo Duterte launched a nationwide campaign calling for a charter change for federalism. During his visit to Cebu City in October of the same year, Duterte stated that federalism will facilitate better delivery of services to the people.{{cite web|url=http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/10/06/14/duterte-wants-cha-cha-federalism|title=Duterte wants cha-cha for federalism|date=October 6, 2014|access-date=April 17, 2015}} He also saw the current system as "antiquated"{{cite web|url=http://www.mb.com.ph/duterte-says-govt-system-antiquated-opens-federalism-summit-today/|title=Duterte says gov't system antiquated, opens federalism summit today|website=Manila Bulletin |access-date=April 17, 2015}} where distribution of public funds is disproportionately biased towards Metro Manila. Aside from the economic aspect, federalism is also seen as the best means to address problems in Mindanao which suffers the most from ethno-religious conflicts.{{cite web|url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/643859/argument-for-federalism-manila-steals-funds|title=Argument for federalism: Manila steals funds|date=October 10, 2014|access-date=April 17, 2015}} Duterte added that the current unitary form of government has not worked well given the ethnic diversity in the country.{{cite web|url=http://www.philstar.com/region/2015/02/13/1423249/duterte-visits-dumaguete-city-promote-federalism|title=Duterte visits Dumaguete City to promote federalism|website=The Philippine STAR |access-date=April 17, 2015}} In spite of initially rejecting several calls for his candidacy for the 2016 presidential elections, he cited his organizational reforms if he were to become president. Parallel to his campaign for federalism, Duterte planned to privatize tax collection and abolish the Congress to make way for a unicameral legislature, contrary to the originally proposed Joint Resolution No. 10.{{cite web|url=http://www.philstar.com/nation/2015/01/26/1416721/duterte-eyes-abolition-congress-if-elected-president-2016|title=Duterte eyes abolition of Congress if elected president in 2016|website=The Philippine STAR |access-date=April 17, 2015}}

Movements for federalism further intensified from when the draft of the Bangsamoro Basic Law was submitted by Philippine president Benigno Aquino III to the 16th Congress on September 10, 2014.{{cite web|url=http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/378481/news/nation/pnoy-personally-submits-draft-bangsamoro-law-to-congress-leaders|title=PNoy personally submits draft Bangsamoro law to Congress leaders|access-date=April 17, 2015}} From approval, this law establishes the Bangsamoro as an autonomous region with its own parliamentary government and police force.{{cite web|url=http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/378530/news/nation/faqs-about-the-bangsamoro-basic-law|title=FAQs about the Bangsamoro Basic Law|access-date=April 17, 2015}} Approval of the Bangsamoro structure would provide federalism proponents and supporters added confidence to clamor for the national government to enact reforms towards a more decentralized system for the rest of the country.

In May 2016, President-elect Rodrigo Duterte stated that a plebiscite on the proposed replacement of the unitary state with a federal one will be held in two years.{{cite web|url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/786631/duterte-polls-on-federalism-in-2-yrs|title=Duterte: Polls on federalism in 2 yrs|first=Philippine Daily|last=Inquirer|date=May 20, 2016}} On December 7, 2016, Duterte signed Executive Order No. 10 creating a consultative committee to review the 1987 Constitution.{{cite web|url=http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/591878/duterte-signs-eo-creating-committee-to-review-1987-constitution/story/ |title=Duterte signs EO creating committee to review 1987 Constitution |publisher=GMA News |author=Macas, T. |date=December 9, 2016 |access-date=May 17, 2017}}

The resolution may require the revision of 14 of the 18 Articles of the 1987 Philippine Constitution and the addition of two new articles. It sought to adopt a federal and presidential form of government with a bicameral legislature. This proposed resolution was backed by 12 senators of the Philippines: Aquilino Pimentel Jr., Edgardo Angara, Rodolfo Biazon, Pia Cayetano, Juan Ponce Enrile, Francis Escudero, Jinggoy Estrada, Gregorio Honasan, Panfilo Lacson, Francis Pangilinan, Ramon Revilla Jr. and Manuel Villar.{{cite web|url=http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/04/28/08/federalism-gets-majority-backing-senate?quicktabs_4=2|title=Federalism gets majority backing in Senate|date=April 28, 2008|access-date=April 17, 2015}} Arroyo for a shift to this system in her later state of the nation address.{{cite news |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2005/7/25/arroyo-urges-political-system-overhaul |title=Arroyo urges political system overhaul |work=Aljazeera |date=July 25, 2005 |access-date=September 6, 2021}}

In 2008, senator Aquilino Pimentel Jr. proposed Joint Resolution No. 10, which would revise the current 1987 constitution and have created eleven autonomous regions out of the Philippine Republic, establishing eleven centers of finance and development in the archipelago.{{Citation

|url=http://senate.gov.ph/14th_congress/resolutions/sjr-10.pdf

|title=Joint Resolution to Convene the Congress into a Constituent Assembly for the Purpose of Revising the Constitution to Establish a Federal System of Government

|publisher=Senate of the Republic of the Philippines

|date=April 23, 2008

|access-date=June 27, 2008}}

The proposal would result in the creation of eleven "states" and one federal administrative region.[http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/04/24/08/eleven-senators-endorse-federal-system-govt Eleven senators endorse federal system of govt].{{cite web|title=Federalism in the Philippines?|url=http://pilipino-express.com/editorialopinions-sp-161843661/pov-philippines/2723-federalism-in-the-philippines.html|publisher=Pilipino Express|access-date=April 5, 2016|date=December 16, 2014}}

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Within the joint resolution are certain proposals such as election of senators based on states, senators representing overseas voters and the state governor and vice-governor as one team. The Judicial and Bar Council which screens nominees to the judiciary would be abolished. Geographic locations of the three branches of the government would also be reconsidered. In the proposal, the legislative department would be transferred to what would become the State of Central Visayas while the judicial department would be moved somewhere within the State of Northern Luzon. The executive department would remain within the federal administrative region of Metro Manila.{{Cite web|url=http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/04/24/08/surprise-move-senators-give-qualified-yes-charter-debate|title=In a surprise move, senators give qualified yes to charter debate|date=April 24, 2008}}

Rep. Monico Puentevella on May 7, 2008, filed House Concurrent Resolution No. 15 which supported Senate Resolution No. 10 backed by 16 senators. Unlike the Nene Pimentel Senate Resolution, Puentevella included the option of holding a constitutional convention, but excluded the People's Initiative mode.{{cite web|url=http://www.gmanews.tv/story/93727/House-resolution-supports-change-in-form-of-government|title=House resolution supports change in form of government}} Prospero Nograles, a self-proclaimed advocate of federalism, on May 1, 2008, announced: "This federal system of government is close to my heart as a Mindanaoan leader and I'm sure most of the leaders in Mindanao will agree that we have long clamored for it. Senate Resolution 10 is a pleasant surprise because the Senate has a long history of opposing any move to amend the Constitution."{{cite news|url=http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/05/01/08/house-senate-begin-cha-cha-talks-next-week|title=House, Senate begin cha-cha talks next week|newspaper=ABS-CBN|date=May 2008}} The joint Senate resolution called for the creation of 11 federal states in the country, by convening of Congress "into a constituent assembly for the purpose of revising the Constitution to establish a federal system of government."

{{main|Federalism and Rodrigo Duterte}}

President Rodrigo Duterte has pushed for the adoption of a federal system of government for the Philippines, which was one of his campaign promises when he ran for president in 2016.{{cite news |title=Duterte: If you don't want federalism, fine |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/698903/duterte-if-you-don-t-want-federalism-fine/story/ |access-date=3 July 2021 |work=GMA News Online |date=25 June 2019 |language=en}}

Duterte issued Executive Order No. 10 which created the 25-member Consultative Committee (ConCom) on December 7, 2016 for the review of the 1987 Constitution. Duterte appointed the first 22 members of the committee in January 24, 2018.{{cite web |title=The state of the regions by stats: Unpacking the federalism gambit |url=https://pcij.org/stories/the-state-of-the-regions-by-stats-unpacking-the-federalism-gambit/ |publisher=Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism |access-date=3 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190224075538/https://pcij.org/stories/the-state-of-the-regions-by-stats-unpacking-the-federalism-gambit/ |archive-date=24 February 2019 |date=19 February 2019}} The ConCom submitted its first federal constitution draft on July 9, 2018.

{{cite news |title=Vera Files Fact Sheet: How the Consultative Committee pictures a 'Federal Republic of the Philippines' |url=https://verafiles.org/articles/vera-files-fact-sheet-how-consultative-committee-pictures-fe |access-date=3 July 2021 |work=Vera Files |date=9 July 2018 |language=en}} The draft underwent several changes with the newer versions criticized; such as for omitting provisions which serves as safeguard against political dynasties and turncoatism, provisions on federated regions, and the removal of the position of Vice President.{{cite news |last1=Madarang |first1=Catalina Ricci S. |title=Duterte's federalism agenda: Another of campaign vows off the table |url=https://interaksyon.philstar.com/politics-issues/2019/07/30/152630/duterte-federalism-shelved-campaign/ |access-date=3 July 2021 |work=Interaksyon |date=30 July 2019}}

In 2018, surveys showed a lack of awareness on federalism was attributed to the lack of support for the campaign by the public.{{cite news |last1=Esguerra |first1=Christian |title='Unbundled' federalism pushed to save Duterte's campaign promise |url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/06/14/19/unbundled-federalism-pushed-to-save-dutertes-campaign-promise |access-date=3 July 2021 |work=ABS-CBN News |date=14 June 2019 |language=en|quote=Last year’s surveys showed a prevailing lack of knowledge on federalism among Filipinos, majority of whom were not inclined to support the set-up.}} As of August 2020, the Duterte administration was still pursuing the shift to federalism and was considering three options to accomplish this; by amending the 1987 Constitution through Constitutional Convention (Con-Con), Constituent Assembly (Con-Ass), or people's initiative.{{cite news |last1=Parrocha |first1=Azer |title=Duterte still pushing for federalism but not 'RevGov' |url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1113216 |access-date=July 3, 2021 |work=Philippine News Agency |date=August 24, 2020 |language=en}}{{update inline|date=November 2022}}

A March 2018 Pulse Asia poll reported that 27% of Filipinos supported a federal government in the Philippines, while 66% expressed opposition and 6% were unsure.{{Cite web |last=News |first=AMITA LEGASPI, GMA |date=2018-05-02 |title=66% NOT IN FAVOR: Majority of Filipinos oppose shift to federalism —Pulse Asia survey |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/651952/majority-of-filipinos-oppose-shift-to-federalism-pulse-asia-survey/story/#goog_rewarded |access-date=2025-01-01 |website=GMA News Online |language=en}} While another poll by Social Weather Stations in early 2018 showed that 75% where unaware of Federalism as a form of government while 25% said they were aware, with 37% of respondents supporting federalism, 29% opposing, and 34% were unsure.{{Cite web |last=Roxas |first=Pathricia Ann V. |date=2018-06-28 |title=Federal system what? 75% of Filipinos not aware – SWS survey |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1004954/breaking-federal-system-what-75-of-filipinos-not-aware-sws-survey |access-date=2025-01-01 |website=INQUIRER.net |language=en}}

• Proposed federal states of the Philippines
• Federal State of the Visayas
• Bangsamoro
• Cordillera autonomy movement

{{reflist|2}}

• {{Citation

|url=http://www.senate.gov.ph/press_release/2008/0423_pimentel1.asp

|title=Press release: Pimentel files resolution on federal system

|date=April 23, 2008

|publisher=Senate of the Philippines, 14th Congress

|access-date=April 25, 2008}}

• {{Citation

|url=http://www.senate.gov.ph/14th_congress/resolutions/sjr-10.pdf

|title=Joint Resolution No. 10: A Joint Resolution to convene Congress into a Constituent Assembly for the purpose of revising the constitution to establish a federal system of government

|author1=Aquilino Q. Pimentel Jr. |author2=Egardo Angara |author3=Rdudolfo Biazon |author4=Pia "Compañera" Cayetano |author5=Juan Ponce Enrile |author6=Francis "Chiz" Escudero |author7=Jinggoy Estrada |author8=Gregario Honasan |author9=Panfilo lacson |author10=Francis Pangilinan |author11=Ramon "Bong" Revilla |author12=Manuel "Manny" Vilar |date=April 23, 2008

|publisher=Senate of the Philippines

|access-date=May 13, 2008}}

• {{cite book |title=Federalism and Multiculturalism |date=2006 |publisher=University of the Philippines |pages=177–204 |url=https://localgov.up.edu.ph/federalism-and-multiculturalism.html |chapter=Federalism Initiatives in the Philippines |last1=Cureg |first1=Elyzabeth F. |last2=Matunding |first2=Jennifer F. |chapter-url=https://localgov.up.edu.ph/uploads/1/4/0/0/14001967/cureg_and_matunding_federalism_initiatives_in_the_philippines.pdf}}

Category:Government of the Philippines

Philippines