FEDERALISM

in the
Philippines
Presented by:
Jennifer Rose DR. Estravez
MBA
 SCOPE OF DISCUSSION
 Introduction

 Definition

 History of Federalism in the Philippines

 Proposal of Federalism in the Philippines

 Federalism in the Philippines

 Advantages of Federalism Form of Government

 Disadvantage of Federalism Form of Government

 Economic Point of View of Federalism in the Philippines

 Issues in Federalism in The Philippines

 Presenters Conclusion
 INTRODUCTION
'federalism' and 'confederalism‘

- both have a root in the Latin word foedus, meaning "treaty, pact or 
covenant." Their common meaning until the late eighteenth century was a
simple league or inter-governmental relationship among sovereign states
based upon a treaty.

- In the course of the nineteenth century the meaning of federalism

would come to shift, strengthening to refer uniquely to the novel
compound political form, while the meaning of confederalism would
remain at a league of states. 
 - Modern federalism is a system based upon democratic rules and
institutions in which the power to govern is shared between national
and provincial/state governments.

- Federalism is sometimes viewed as in the context of

international negotiation as "the best system for integrating diverse
nations, ethnic groups, or combatant parties, all of whom may have
cause to fear control by an overly powerful center.
 Four competing theoretical explanations in the academic literature
for the adoption of federal systems:

1. Ideational theories, which hold that a greater degree of

ideological commitment to decentralist ideas in society makes
federalism more likely to be adopted.

2. Cultural-historical theories, which hold that federal institutions

are more likely to be adopted in societies with culturally or
ethnically fragmented populations.
 Four competing theoretical explanations in the academic literature
for the adoption of federal systems:

3. "Social contract" theories, which hold that federalism emerges as a

bargain between a center and a periphery where the center is not
powerful enough to dominate the periphery and the periphery is not
powerful enough to secede from the center.
 Four competing theoretical explanations in the academic literature
for the adoption of federal systems:

4. "Infrastructural power" theories, which hold that federalism is likely

to emerge when the subunits of a potential federation already have
highly developed infrastructures (e.g. they are already constitutional,
parliamentary, and administratively modernized states).
DEFINITION
 DEFINITION

• Encyclopedia Britannica, Federalism is mode of political

organization that unites separate states or other polities within an
overarching political system in such a way as to allow each to
maintain its own fundamental political integrity.

• Wikipedia defines Federalism is the mixed or compound mode of

government, combining a general government (the central or
'federal' government) with regional governments (provincial, state,
cantonal, territorial or other sub-unit governments) in a single
political system.
 DEFINITION
• Federalism also finds expression in ecclesiology .
Presbyterian resembles parliamentary republicanism to a large
extentIn Presbyterian denominations, the local church is ruled by
elected elders, some of which are ministerial. Each church then
sends representatives or commissioners to presbyteries and further
to a general assembly. Each greater level of assembly has ruling
authority over its constituent members. In this governmental
structure, each component has some level of sovereignty over itself.
 History of Federalism in the Philippines
Concept –(Emilio Aguinaldo and Apolinarion Mabini)
dividing the Island into three (3) federal estate

• Proponents of Federalism

1. Jose Abueva - (21st C) University of the Philippines professor,

who argued that a federal form of government is necessary to more
efficiently cater to the needs of the country despite its diversity. 
 History of Federalism in the Philippines
2. Sen. Aquilino Pimentel, Jr. - a prominent supporter of federalism who,
since 2001, has advocated for federalism. He sees the proposed system
as a key component in alleviating the Mindanao crisis and appeasing
Moro insurgents.

3. Pres. Rodrigo Duterte - In late 2014, then-Davao City mayor ,

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.
History of Federalism in the Philippines

• Duterte added that the current

unitary form of government has not
worked well given the ethnic
diversity in the country. 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.
 History of Federalism in the Philippines

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. this law
establishes the Bangsamoro as an autonomous region with its own
parliamentary government and police force
Proposal Of Federalism in The Philippines
Under President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo: Joint Res. NO.10
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.
 Proposal Of Federalism in The Philippines

Under President Rodrigo Duterte: Renewal of Pimentel's proposal

In May 2016, Aquilino 'Nene' Pimentel Jr., stated in an interview with 

Teodoro Locsin Jr. and Tina Monzon-Palma that a North Mindanao state

may be separated into two distinct states, namely, Northwest Mindanao

and Northeast Mindanao.

27 Points under Federalism forum ( January 2017)
1. the Cordillera will have its own federal state;

2. the boundaries of Northern Luzon state still needs to be clarified

as the state includes two distinct regions;

3. Masbate will be included in the Central Visayas state;

4. the Northern Mindanao state shall include the entire Zamboanga

region, the entire North Mindanao region including Bukidnon,
Agusan del Norte, Butuan City, Dinagat Islands, and Surigao del
Norte;
5. the Southern Mindanao state shall include the entire Soccsksargen
region, the entire Davao region, Agusan del Sur, and Surigao del
Sur; /(6) Minparom (Mindoro, Palawan, Romblon, and
Marinduque) shall be classified as a Visayan state and not a Luzon
state as it is geographically part of the Visayas, which Pimentel
says is "contrary to the beliefs of Imperial Manila";

6. the Bangsamoro state is the most important as it is vital to peace in

Mindanao and Minparom;

7. Shariah law can only be applied in the Bangsamoro state if the two
parties are Muslims, but if one or both parties are non-Muslims,
national law will always apply;
8. Scarborough Shoal/Bajo de Masinloc shall be part of Central
Luzon state through Zambales;

9. the Philippine territories in the Spratly Islands shall be part of

Minparom state through the municipality of Kalayaan, Palawan;

10. if the bicameral Congress is retained, then the members of the

House of Representatives will voted the same way as its is today;
11. if the bicameral Congress is retained, the members of the Senate
shall be voted, not nationally anymore, but per state, where each
state shall have six Senate seats, the Federal Capital (Metro
Manila) will have six Senate seats, and the overseas Filipino
population will have nine Senate seats, for a total of at least 87
Senate seats, which provides proper representation to all states;

12. the Supreme Court shall be mandated to have a decision on a case

within 2 years from its filing;
13. the Court of Appeals, Sandiganbayan, and other appellate courts
shall be mandated to have a decision on a case within 1.8 years from
its filing

14. the RTC shall be mandated to have a decision on a case within 1.6
years from its filing;

15. the City and Municipal courts shall be mandated to have a decision
on a case within 1 year from its filing

16. each federal state shall have a Federal Governor and Federal Vice
Governor;
 17. each federal state shall have a Federal State Legislature, whose
members members shall be representatives from every province,
highly urbanized cities, and sectoral groups;

18. warlordism and political dynasties shall be prohibited by the

Constitution itself;

19. federal states shall have 80% of their respective state's revenues,

while the federal government will only have 20%;

20. an Equalization Fund shall be created by the Constitution so that

federal states that are in dire need of additional fund can be helped by

the federal government;

21. there will be a unified educational system, but the indigenous

peoples and Muslims shall be allowed to input certain educational
resources into their educational system to better serve their peoples;

22. the Federal Executive Department will hold office in the Federal
Administrative Region of Metro Manila;
23. the Federal Legislature will hold office in the Federal State of
Central Visayas;

24. the Federal Supreme Court and the Constitutional Court will hold
office in the Federal State of Northern Mindanao;

25. secession will not be enhanced under the federal form of

government as it is a crime under the Constitution;
26. the Bangsamoro state shall be divided into two autonomous
regions, namely, mainland Muslim Mindanao and Sulu archipelago, as
the two Muslim areas are distinct from each other in terms of culture;
and

27. Philippines will include its claim in Sabah under the federal form
of government. Pimentel, however, did not clarify that the Philippines
can only claim the eastern half of Sabah.
Proposal Of Federalism in The Philippines

Alvarez Proposal

He also proposed that the capital of the Philippines under a federal

government should be somewhere in Negros island saying that it
would be accessible to all people from the three island groups while
he added that the state's territory does not have to be contiguous.
Proposal Of Federalism in The Philippines
2018 House Sub-Committee 1 proposal

In February 2018, the League of Provinces of the Philippines

(LPP), whose members are the 81 provincial governors, gave its
support to the country's shift to federalism, but stated that the 81
existing provinces should be converted into “independent states”,
instead of regional lumping
Proposal Of Federalism in The Philippines

In April 25, 2018, the consultative committee (Con-Com), created

by President Rodrigo Duterte to propose revisions to the 1987
Constitution, agreed that the starting point for the federalism
discussions will be the establishment of 17 federated regions and the
National Capital Region, the proposed federal capital region.

In July 4, 2018, the Consultative Committee (ConCom) tasked to

review the Constitution unanimously approved the draft constitution
which would shift the present government form into federalism
Proposal Of Federalism in The Philippines
League of Provinces proposal
In April 25, 2018, the consultative committee (Con-Com), created by
President Rodrigo Duterte to propose revisions to the 1987 Constitution,
agreed that the starting point for the federalism discussions will be the
establishment of 17 federated regions and the National Capital Region, the
proposed federal capital region.

In July 4, 2018, the Consultative Committee (ConCom) tasked to

review the Constitution unanimously approved the draft constitution which
would shift the present government form into federalism
Federalism in The Philippines

What is federalism in the Philippines?

Federalism is a proposed type of government wherein sovereignty

is constitutionally divided between the national government and sub-
divisional governments (such as states or provinces). Federalism
divides the country into several autonomous states with a national
government.
Issues in Federalism in the Philippines

1. Constitutional Reform in the Philippines

2. Public Opinion and Awareness
3. What is the argument of those pushing for federalism in the
Philippines?
4. Is it the road to economic growth in poorer regions?
5. Will it bring peace to Mindanao?
6. How is it different from what we have now?
7. How local government units spend their budget has to be approved
by the national government?
Federalism in The Philippines

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.
Advantages of Federalism Form of Government and
why is it attractive to Filipinos?

1. Locals decide for themselves.

2. More Power over Funds, resources.
3. Encourages competition
4. Promotes specialization
5. Possible solution to the Mindanao conflict
6. Decongestion of Metro Manila
7. Lessens dependence on Metro Manila
8. Brings government closer to the people
1. Possibly divisive

2. Uneven development
among states

3. Confusing overlaps in
jurisdiction

4. May not satisfy separatists

in Mindanao.

5. It might create further

division and rivalries
Economic Point of View of Federalism in the Philippines
Economic Point of View of Federalism in the Philippines
Economic Point of View of Federalism in the Philippines
Economic Point of View of Federalism in the Philippines
CONCLUSION

I don’t agree on the federal form of government and there is no need to

change the whole constitution, revised some provisions but not the whole,
the constitution itself is still effective it’s the people that abide and
implements it is the problem. Let’s bear in mind that Federal systems or
systems strongly influenced by federal principles have been among the
most stable and long-lasting of polities. But the successful operation of
federal systems requires a particular kind of political environment, one
that is conducive to popular government and has the requisite traditions of
political cooperation and self-restraint.
CONCLUSION

Beyond this, federal systems operate best in societies with sufficient 

homogeneity of fundamental interests to allow a great deal of latitude
to local government and to permit reliance upon voluntary
collaboration. The use of force to maintain domestic order is even
more inimical to the successful maintenance of federal patterns of
government than to other forms of popular government. Federal
systems are most successful in societies that have the human resources
to fill many public offices competently and the material resources to
afford a measure of economic waste as part of the price of liberty.