AMPELOQUIO, KAREN S.

CONSTITUTIONAL LAW
Assignment # 1
Federalism is, according to Rappler, a form of government where sovereignty is constitutionally
shared between a central governing authority and constituent political units called states or
regions. In basic terms, it will break the country into autonomous regions with a national
government focused only on interests with nationwide bearing: foreign policy and defense, for
example.
The autonomous regions or states, divided further into local government units, will have primary
responsibility over developing their industries, public safety, education, healthcare,
transportation, recreation, and culture. These stares will have more power over their finances,
development plans, and laws exclusive to their jurisdiction. The central government and states
can also share certain powers.
We presently have a unitary form of government. Most administrative powers resources are with
the national government based in Metro Manila. It is the Malacañang that decides how much to
give local government units. The process is prone to abuse, with governors and mayors
sometimes having to beg the palace for projects they believe their communities need.
How local government units spend their budget has to be approved by the national government.
In federalism, the states will have the power to make these decisions with little or no interference
from the national government.
Is it true that this kind of government are championing by some of our politicians believing its
effect will lead development and advantages in our county. Little did they know that in every
pros situations, cons are inevitable.
Is it true that regions have its own problems and social and economic situation and federalism
allows them to create their own problems instead of depending in distant Metro Manila deciding
for them but healthy competitions among states can be alienating that can create rivalries and
could enflame hostilities between ethnic groups.
Also, some states may not be ready for autonomy as others because some state may not be as
rich in natural resources or skilled labors as others. State with good leaders will progress faster
while other states with ineffective ones will degrade more than ever because national
government will not be there to balance them out.
According to Grace Poe, it will further entrench political dynasties in the regions and create
confusion over responsibilities. It may results confusing overlaps in jurisdiction and ambiguities
may possibly arise that will lead to conflict in the division of responsibilities between state and
national governments.
The present government should be retained because being a federal form of government is a high
risk and still, there’s a need of big adjustment to adopt this kind of government.