What is the best definition of federalism?

Federalism is a system of government in which entities such as states or provinces share power
with a national government.

What are some major advantages and disadvantages of federalism?

federalist form of government has several advantages, such as protecting us from tyranny,
dispersing power, increasing citizen participation, and increasing effectiveness, and
disadvantages, such as supposedly protecting slavery and segregation, increasing inequalities
between states.

Federalism in the Philippines (Filipino: Pederalismo sa Pilipinas) is a proposed form of

government in the country.

President Rodrigo Duterte, who had a stunning electoral victory, championed federalism, envisioning it as the key to bring "lasting
peace, progress, and prosperity for all of our peoples.”

Under a federal government, power is divided between the central government and local state governments. Each state shall be
empowered to handle their own laws, finances, development plans, health, education, and infrastructure, among others.

Currently, the Philippines is under a unitary form of government with power and authority vested in the so-called "imperial"
Manila.

“Federalism will catalyze progress in all the geographic areas of our country by allowing them to be more self-determining, and less
dependent on the national government,"

The 'five states'

Based on the proposals submitted by the House constitutional amendments committee, the territory of the future Federal Republic
of the Philippines will be divided into five states composed of Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao, Bangsamoro, and Metro Manila.

Under the proposal, each state shall have its own State Constitution, adopt its name, and choose a capital, flag, anthem, and seal.

Each state shall have a unicameral state assembly with legislative powers, and a premiere exercising executive powers.

The proposed federal charter retains the position of the President, who would act as head of state, and introduces the position of a
Prime Minister, who would be the head of the government.

The President shall be elected by direct vote of the people for a term of five years with one re-election, while the Prime Minister
shall be elected by a majority of all the members of the Parliament from among themselves.
The proposed Parliament shall consist of the Federal Assembly as the national legislative department, and the Senate, as the
legislative body representative of the regions.

The bicameral parliament shall be composed of a 300-member Federal Assembly and a 15-member Senate, with each state electing
three senators.
Major reasons why the country must shift from its current unitary form of governance to a
decentralized one or the federal form.

With Federalism, Federated regions can generate their own income because they will have the
power to levy and collect license taxes and fees from real property, estate tax, professional, road
users tax and many more.

Another good thing he noted with Federalism is the provision that no candidate for any elective
position can ran unless he is a college graduate or has achieved equivalent points as may be
accredited by CHED.

Introducing a federal form of government in the Philippines is one of the goals of President Rodrigo
Duterte in his six-year term.

What is federalism in the Philippines (Filipino: Pederalismo sa Pilipinas)?

What is federalism in the Philippines (Filipino: Pederalismo sa Pilipinas)? Federalism is a proposed

type of government wherein sovereignty is constitutionally divided between the national government
and subdivisional governments (such as states or provinces). Federalism divides the country into
several autonomous states with a national government.

The Philippines is currently under a unitary form of government - this means that the central
government is the highest governing power. It receives a large part of every region's income and
redistributes it, often disproportionately so. Our autonomous regions, provinces, municipalities and
barangays can only exercise powers and enact policies that the central government chooses to
delegate to them.

How federalism works?

The autonomous states are even further divided into local government units. They will have the main
responsibility over developing their local industries, public health and safety, education,
transportation, and culture. These states have more power over their finances, policies,
development plans, and laws.

The United States, Switzerland, Germany and Australia, Canada, India, Malaysia and Brazil are
examples of countries with a federalist form of government.

Pros and cons of federalism in the Philippines. What are advantages of federal form of
government and why is it attractive to Filipinos?

Firstly, under a federal government, states are empowered to make their own decisions.

They no longer need to rely on the central government to decide for them. This is important to note in
the Philippine context because of the vast geographical and cultural differences between regions -
differences that the central government may not always be able to cater to.
 Furthermore, decentralization in the Philippines would allow states to keep more of their
income to themselves.

They do not have to rely on collecting real estate tax and business permit fees - 80% of their total
earned income stays, while only 20% goes back to the national government. This means that states
are able to channel their own income for their own development, creating policies and programs
suitable for them without having to wait for the national government to approve.

Mayor Duterte presents federalism as a possible solution to the Mindanao conflict instead of
implementing the Bangsamoro Basic Law.

What are disadvantages of a federated Philippines?

The first problem the Philippines would have to iron out would be the overlaps in jurisdiction.

Unless responsibilities of state governments and national governments are very clearly stated in the
amended Constitution, there will be ambiguities that can lead to conflict and confusion.

Next, there is always a chance that it will bring more division than unity in the Philippines.

It can arise from more than just increased hostility between ethnic groups - competition between
states can quickly become unhealthy, and can lead to the regionalism that is currently already
challenging the unity of the country.

Moreover, development of the states in a federal form of government might not even work at
all.

Some states may not be as gifted or as ready for autonomy as others. A major concern is that while
some states may progress faster, the converse is also true because other states may devolve faster
as well - even more so without a national government to back them up.

What would the Philippines look like under transition to a federal form of government?

While the idea of federalism in the Philippines is attractive for most Filipinos, the possible benefits
that are marketed by the idea will inevitably come at a cost, and will require extensive time and effort
from both governments and citizens alike. President Duterte has to make sure the people are
satisfied with the division of responsibilities that will be stated in the Amendment, and that the work
towards building a federalist country will not alienate other states or leave them behind, the way they
are being left behind right now.