Will tomorrow come?

Half a century has passed and Filipinos continue to seek for change. We are a people desperate for reforms in order to achieve a good democratic society and justice for all.

In my lifetime, I have only experienced two significant epochs in the country. The Marcos regime which imposed an authoritarian rule and repressed our spirit as a nation and the People Power Revolution which restored democracy but gave too much freedom to the people without demanding responsibility. Both eras destroyed us.

Of course our colonial period during the Spanish, American and Japanese time (within the past 500 years), has definitely weakened our national pride. It has made us a confused lot and it is only now that we are discovering our identity and appreciating our own heritage.

Today, our country lives by the flawed 1987 Constitution. Some say it was made for the oligarchs. Others say it was just rushed. I say it was made for public officials to continue on their quest to corrupt the country’s wealth. In reality, it is old and needs to be changed to meet the demands of the times. The government system has become totally dysfunctional with a legal base that is easily manipulated by legislation.

A few days ago, people have been talking about the President’s move to shift to Federalism. Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, a staunch advocate of Federalism has shown us some determination to get this done. If this actually happens, then this would be the third epoch in our country’s political history (after the colonization period) that may possibly bring the change we need but it must be done carefully and crafted creatively.

Is federalism the way to a better Philippines? Federalism is a form of government where sovereignty is constitutionally shared between a central governing authority and constituent political units called states or regions. Simply put, federalism will break the country into autonomous regions with a national government focused only on interests with nationwide bearing such as policy and defense.

What are the advantages of federalism? It allows for each individual state to create laws that can be applied specifically to the setting and conditions that the state finds itself; a greater level of civic participation; stops the centralization of power; and encourages research in good policy. However, there are also disadvantages to this form of government. Federalism can hinder the creation of an effective national policy, create big problems regarding overlapping jurisdictions and law, and create general ignorance of the public with regards to the larger issues facing the country.

My father (in his time) believed that federalism will break our country and not magically save it. He said, All this talk about switching to a “federalist” form of government as the means of saving our country is becoming absurd. It is disquieting, too, since supposedly learned people are promoting the idea and espousing it with such enthusiasm. To be sure, most of the Filipino people themselves probably don’t understand the debate nor even deign to listen to it. They’re busy with their lives, such as making a living, and even trying to be happy even in less prosperous times. Were his thoughts right or wrong? He continues, In the Philippines we are both cursed and blest. By selfishness, yes, corruption and graft, the boorishness of the powerful, the gimme-gimme dependence of the poor (some are poor professionally), the ululations and shrill outcries of the activists who condemn everyone who chooses not to be an activist or a radical. (In the latter case, only they are virtuous).

What assurance do we have that in making each region self-reliant and free from the impositions of “Imperial Manila,” as they say and the others, this country will become a better place to live in? Will this solve the poverty problem? Those who have done well in their respective localities may think of federalism as a brilliant idea. But what about the warlords and the armed dynasties who wanted nothing more than to be legalized in their so-called empires? Federalism is not yet implemented, and yet Mindanao and its satellite isles are already swarmed by the well-armed and well-funded. How much more in a federal government?

Are we ready for this change? A responsible answer would be NO. The country lacks a disciplined and united citizenry with an unbiased approach and efficient skill who can reconstruct the foundation of proper governance.

Haven’t we learned from the 1987 Constitutional changes? You know, the outright manipulation of the system that allowed the proliferation of corrupt activities in all branches of government including the independent bodies. An example would be the constitutional Right to Suffrage. The people’s right to an honest and fair election in the Philippines. Yes, the Commission on Elections is an independent body with quasi-legislative and quasi-judicial operations. But based on the Local Government Code, who pays for the wages of the provincial election supervisors and election officers in the cities and municipalities? It is the local government. So, where lies the accountability of the COMELEC in the conduct of its function? The whole government process is compromised with the chance of defeating the purpose of the whole exercise. This is the same in other government services: health, social services, labor and others. Now, are we really ready to get rid of this kind of governance? Will Congress uncompromisingly review these irregularities?

Senator Koko Pimentel along with the other legislators need to be more creative. If we model our form of government after that of the United States Federal government then we are kaput. We need to be meticulous in designing a federal system that suits our nation’s spirit, patterned after our own culture and historical background. It must answer our need and continue to protect the citizenry.

We now have a president who hopefully understands the government’s inefficiencies and is determined to implement proper governing reforms. But how do we go about changing the system? Federalism may sound like a good idea, but it could also be detrimental to the unity we are still falling short of achieving in this beautiful archipelago. Perhaps we should look at a multi-phase approach to ensure that everything is clear to the people where changes be done with efficiency and proper coordination.

Will the sun start to shine in this gloomy enterprise? Are we determined to get this country going? Will tomorrow ever come?