SHIFT
TO FEDERALISM MAY TAKE
OFF
IF NEXT PRESIDENT WILL PUSH FOR IT
Sen. Ferdinand
“Bongbong” R. Marcos, Jr. thinks the move to change our present form of
government to a federal system has a good chance of succeeding if the next
President would push for it via charter change early in his term.
Appearing before the
“Gikansa Masa, Para sa Masa” radio show in Davao City with Mayor Rodrigo
Duterte on Sunday, June 15, Marcos backed moves towards federalism as the
possible answer to socio-economic and social problems plaguing the country,
particularly in Mindanao.
Duterte has been
pushing for federalism as an alternative if Congress fails to pass the
Bangsamoro Basic Law. Marcos is Chairman of the Senate Committee on Local
Government, the main committee tasked to deliberate on the proposed BBL.
However, Marcos said
the draft BBL is flaw-ridden and vowed to prepare instead a substitute bill
that would address the issues raised against the proposed measure despite
efforts of Malacanang to push for the passage of the bill without any changes.
“If the next
President will do that (push for charter change) he or she has to do it very
early on---start the process on the first year (of his term), not on the last.
That would at least allay suspicions this is being done to extend his term. So
that’s a possibility,” Marcos said.
The House of
Representatives had tackled the proposal of Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr. to
amend the constitution and allow Congress to pass enabling laws lifting bans on
ownership of land, businesses, schools and the media but failed to put it to a
vote before Congress adjourned sine die on June 10.
“I think they're
necessary. Not because the concept is wrong but because the passage of time
changed things and situations have changed so we have to adjust accordingly,”
Marcos explained, when asked on his stand on charter change.
However, he said
speculations on the real agenda behind charter change persists because there is
no enabling law providing specific mechanics regulating the power of Congress
to amend the constitution acting as constituent assembly.
“I share the fear of
the Mayor that we do not know what will be taken up. Once the constituent
assembly is called to order, any member of that constituent assembly can stand
up and speak on any subject,” Marcos said.
He believes the most
acceptable method of charter change would be through a Constitutional
Convention where delegates are elected by the public.
“So at least those
who want to be delegates can campaign and tell the people what their plans are
if they are elected. In this way, it would be clear to the public what to
expect from their delegates,” Marcos said.
As to federalism,
Marcos said it is in theory a good option because it spreads power centers so
that if there is a problem in one area it would not affect the entire country.
“Besides, there is
recognition that each area is different, with different needs and concerns, and
with different assets and capabilities. So you have to treat each one
differently, and the best people to determine what is needed in that locality
are the people living there,” Marcos said.
Marcos said that in
fact the country had experimented already on the concept of federalism, with
the defunct Interim Batasang Pambansa, which had regional representation,
although it was abandoned later on.
“So I think it’s time to revisit the concept and see if it would be the
one best suited for the Philippines,” Marcos said. /MP
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