Diversified Remedy

Federal

Philippines faced grave adversities that have a need to be resolved. Many years have
passed in this same form of government and it seems that it had not done anything to cease the
major problems in the country. It might be the time to try something new. Something that made
sense.

The country was bearing serious burdens and now another big problem came. The conflict
in Marawi. There were more than 1,000 people who had perished due to the conflict, based on
what the evacuees and army officials have said.

To end this dilemma, President Rodrigo Duterte thought of Federalism as the solution to
this. Rodrigo Duterte is today’s champion of federalism in the Philippines. He was determined to
change the strusture of the government. Federalism is a system which will separate or divide
the country into three. Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao will become three different states. This
supported by many Filipinos as it would surely resolved the conflict.

Federalism is the theory or advocacy of federal principles for dividing powers between
member units and common institutions. Unlike in a unitary state, sovereignty in federal political
orders is non-centralized, often constitutionally, between at least two levels so that units at each
level have finalauthority and can be self governing in some issue area. Citizens thus have
political obligations to, or have their rights secured by, two authorities.The division of power
between the member unit and center may vary, typically the center haspowers regarding
defense and foreign policy, but member units may also have international roles.

Thedecision-making bodies of member units may also participate in central decision-making

bodies.Much recent discussion is spurred in federalisim coupled with dataconcerning the
requisite and legitimate basis for stability and trust among citizens in federal systems.
Academics have addressed the dilemmas and opportunities facing Canada, Australia
and states inEurope, among others, where federal arrangements are seen as
interesting solutions to accommodatedifferences among populations divided by ethnic
or cultural cleavages yet seeking a common, often democratic , political order.

It is widely known that pockets in the political and social arena has been active in
proposing afederal structure of government in the Philippines. These calls has been more
highlighted after thepassing of the 1986 constitution, with almost every administration after
President Aquino proposed, or has been proposed to, policies for building a federal government.
Arguments for federalism for the Philippines vary - some propose it to promote
autonomy,especially in areas with cultural importance, such as Muslims in Mindanao. Others
promote thescheme for better accountability and more efficient governance, while some
propose it for economicand social reform. While the positions, methods and systems being
proposed vary, these groups havebeen united that a Federal Republic of the Philippines is
indeed necessary.These paper will shed light into federalism and its aspects. It will also give a
briefing on thecurrent situation of federalization in the country and the contending views for its
establishment. Aposition will be made by the group at the end of the paper.

However, many claimed that this idea led to economic, political, and religious conflict.
Federalism would give Bangsamoro a full control to their region while staying in the nation state
of the Philippines. It will either prolong the Marawi conflict as they will possibly gain more power
to their state. But when we will look into the root of the battle in Marawi, it started in the complex
and bloody history of Mindanao where four decades of armed struggle have claimed more than
150,000 lives. It is a little 5% of the Philippines total population of 100 million Moro, a collective
term for various Muslim group.

Since 1972, the Moro National Liberation Font (MILF), have fought for full independence
from the central government of Manila. That would be an enough reason for federalism to be the
best choice. The huge possibility for the Maute to stop will lie upon Federalism. It will fulfill their
wanting for independence, the independence they hoped forr so long. Devirsifying the country
into different states should be instantly applied if it meant a solution to the Marawi conflict.
Smaller size of community would mean an easier way to provide the people a just and satisfying
provision. Federalism is what would fill the gap of freedom. Isn’t it freedom that many of us
seek?

On the contrary, Vice President Leni Robrido posed questions against Federalism. “Is the
Philippines ready for Federalism? Is Federalism the only solution to the conflict in Mindanao?
That should not be the questions. Instead it should be, if not Federalism, then what? Could
anything else solve the conflict? Have they tried encountering a federal system and so to prove
hat it isn’t a good idea? Or have they thought of something else that would resolved the conflict
aside from federalism?

It is indeed better to have federalism than having nothing. If Philippines will still be tied in its
present form, it’s scary to tell that there could be no chance for change. But if this country will be
shift to a federal system, the possibility of hope for change will not be on the very least.

Federalism is not a threat, nor an absurd idea, it’s what our country need. This hopeless country
indeed need a change.
REFERENCES:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/richardheydarian/2018/07/19/does-federalism-make-
sense-for-the-philippines/amp/

https://www.google.com/amp/s/kami.com.ph/amp/2492-federalism-philippines-
explained.html

https://ideas.repec.org/p/phd/dpaper/dp_2017-29.html