Federalism in the Philippines

History

One of the early proponents of federalism in the Philippines was University of the Philippines professor Jose Abueva who argued that a federal form of government is necessary to more efficiently cater to the needs of the country despite its diversity. The primary goals of a constitutional amendment is to increase decentralization, greater local power and access to resources most especially among regions outside Metro Manila which has long been dubbed as rather imperial. Aside from Abueva, senator Aquilino Pimentel, Jr. is 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. Federalism will also hasten economic development since resource and financial mobilization is upon each states' or provinces' discretion without significant constraint from the central government.

Due to the Senate and Congress resolutions supporting charter change, an estimated 13,000 to 15,000 people gathered in Makati in 2009 to protest against administration proposals for constitutional reform. This is in line with speculations that Philippine president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo would use such amendment to extend her hold in office. In addition, Pulse Asia published in the same year their survey regarding public support towards the proposed charter change. Their report stated that four out of ten Filipino adults or 42% of all respondents opposed the amendment. Meanwhile, 25% were still undecided and 33% were in favor. Pulse Asia furthered that from 2006 to 2009, there was no significant change of sentiment against charter change, but indecision increased by 6%.

Beginning in late 2014, Davao City mayor Rodrigo Duterte launched a nationwide campaign promoting 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. He also saw the current system as "antiquated" where distribution of public funds is disproportionately biased towards Manila. Aside from the economic aspect, federalism is also seen as the best means to address problems in Mindanao which suffers the most from ethnoreligious conflicts. He added that the current unitary form of government has not worked well given the ethnic diversity in the country. In spite of rejecting several calls for candidacy for the 2016 presidential elections, he also cited his reforms if he were to be president. Parallel to his campaign for federalism, Duterte plans to privatize tax collection and abolish the Congress to make way for a unicameral legislature, whereby the latter is contrary to the originally proposed Joint Resolution No. 10.

Movements for federalism were further intensified since the draft of the Bangsamoro Basic Law was submitted by Philippine president Benigno Aquino III to the Congress in September 10, 2014. If approved, this law establishes the Bangsamoro as an autonomous region with its own parliamentary government and police force. Approval of the Bangsamoro structure provides federalism proponents and supporters added confidence to clamor for the national government to enact reforms towards a more decentralized system for the rest of the country.

Failed attempts

Joint Resolution No. 10

The resolution might have required the revision of 14 of the 18 Articles of the 1987 Philippine Constitution and the addition of 2 new articles. It sought to adopt a federal presidential bicameral form of government. This proposed resolution was backed by the 13 senators of the Philippines:

In 2008, senator Aquilino Pimentel, Jr. proposed Joint Resolution No. 10, which would revise the current 1987 constitution and have created eleven autonomous regions out of the Philippine Republic, establishing eleven centers of finance and development in the archipelago.

Eleven states plus one federal administrative region was proposed.

Within the joint resolution are certain proposals such as election of senators based on states, senators representing overseas voters and the state governor and vice-governor as one team. The Judicial and Bar Council which screens nominees to the judiciary would be abolished. Geographic locations of the three branches of the government would also be reconsidered. In the proposal, the legislative department would be transferred to what would become the State of Central Visayas while the judicial department would be moved somewhere within the State of Northern Luzon. The executive department would remain within the federal administrative region of Metro Manila.

House Concurrent Resolution No. 15

Rep. Monico O. Puentevella on May 7, 2008, filed House Concurrent Resolution No. 15 which supported Senate Resolution No. 10 backed by 16 senators. Unlike the Nene Pimentel Senate Resolution, Puentevella included the option of holding a constitutional convention, but excluded the People's Initiative mode. Prospero Nograles, a self-proclaimed advocate of federalism, on May 1, 2008, announced: "This federal system of government is close to my heart as a Mindanaoan leader and I'm sure most of the leaders in Mindanao will agree that we have long clamored for it. Senate Resolution 10 is a pleasant surprise because the Senate has a long history of opposing any move to amend the Constitution." The joint Senate resolution called for the creation of 11 federal states in the country, by convening of Congress “into a constituent assembly for the purpose of revising the Constitution to establish a federal system of government.”