The idea about converting our system of government into a federal set-up has been circulating for some time. Yet it has not morphed into a massive national movement. True, there are pockets of organized groups championing the cause, but these are isolated initiatives with only a few adherents.
Where are the influential people such as legislators, judges and justices and other key government officials? Where are the businessmen and industrialists? Where are the church leaders and conscience driven professionals? Why have they not joined hands to rally behind the movement?
The reason could be that they have not seen the wisdom of federalization. Or if they have, they simply don't care probably because they find nothing beneficial about it insofar as their individual or group interest is concerned. Change, you see always makes people insecure.
The status quo is always an assurance of safety. But the change envisioned in a federal form of government can have a far-reaching impact to the socio-political and economic state of this country. It may produce negative effects insofar as the interests of some groups are concerned. But if considered vis-a-vis the interest of the entire Philippine society, the urgency of such change cannot fail to impress any right thinking Filipino.
National interest versus group interest - only the most patriotic individuals would choose the former. That's why our senators and congressmen have been quiet and noncommittal about our switching to the federal mode of governance. The reason? They would lose their perks and their porks (which even now still exist in clandestine forms in the budget). It's an ideal sojourn to luxury and bounty - one's stay at the Batasan and the Senate House, where one could just say a few comments now and then or sneak in for an hour or so, then come out with bulging pockets. So why change the system?
Malcañang too is an ideal sojourn for power and influence not to mention more luxury and more bounty. Here the chief honcho sneezes and the whole country catches cold. Here a word can move mountain because miners readily obey. Here billionaires make a bee line for favors and big time contractors tremble. Here provinciano chiefs bring their begging bowls for the mercy of the boss. Here even your strongest enemy can be made to bite the dust. So why change the system?
So no change for the system. So all powers and authority get rooted in the capital city. All development projects are hatched and situated therein while the provinces get only a miserly share. And of course, shocking wastage of people's money and massive corruption thrive in centralized system, hidden from the eyes and ears of most constituents.
Since the end of World War II this has been the system. Leadership after leadership has come and gone but the system goes on. And while our neighbors in Asia have taken brisk strides towards progress, we have stayed dormant, and in fact, slid to lower levels. Worse, the poor and the homeless have proliferated while the rich and powerful have held sway. No wonder thousands are leaving this country in search of better life abroad. What future have the masa in their own native land?
Changing the system through dispersal of power and authority may be the answer. It may not be the only answer but at least it is part of the answer. The truth is no matter what form of government we have progress and the good life will always be beyond our reach if our modal personhood remains warped. If the Christian values of love and service remain mere skin-deep and uninternalized, nothing happens.
Our hope, obviously, lies in the new breed of leaders, particularly those who are aspiring for national offices, more particularly the presidential office. The pertinent question therefore is who among the candidates will champion federalization as a platform? Whoever he or she is deserves the mandate of the Filipino people.