A federal government is a system that divides up power between a strong

national government and smaller local governments. We'll take a look at how power plays out
between the national and localgovernment, and the benefits of a federal government.

Definition of a Federal Government

Are you a fan of Hollywood cop films? If you are, you may know that a common plot line in these
movies is jurisdiction friction, or when some kind of tension between local police (usually the hero)
and federal investigators (usually the antagonist) takes place over who has control of an
investigation. Take, for example, the film Rush Hour. In this movie, an LAPD police officer (Chris
Tucker) tries to help a fellow Chinese cop (Jackie Chan) find the abducted daughter of the Chinese
Ambassador to America. While they face many road blocks, one of the biggest obstacles in their
investigation is the FBI, which orders Tucker and Chan to stop their investigation because it is
outside of local jurisdiction and a matter of federal jurisdiction.
What this common Hollywood plot line reveals is the nature of a federal government. A federal
government is a system of dividing up power between a central national government and local state
governments that are connected to one another by the national government. Some areas of public
life are under the control of the national government, and some areas are under control of the local
governments. For this reason, cop films like to create drama by making the federal government and
local government bump heads over who should be investigating the crime at hand. Federal
government systems usually have a constitution that specifies what areas of public life the national
government will take control over and what areas of public life the state
Benefits of A Federal Government

Why does the United States have a federal government but not Great Britain? The answer has to do
with size. Federal governments are best used in large countries where there exists a diverse group of
people with diverse needs but a common culture that unites them together.

For example, think of the difference between Wyoming (the least densely populated state) and New
Jersey (the most densely populated state). Clearly, the needs at the local level of each state will be
different, so they should have different local governments to address those needs. Nonetheless, both
states share a common culture and interest and, therefore, are united by the national government.

Federal governments help address the wide variety of needs of a geographically large country. It is no
wonder, then, that federal governments exist in large countries, like the United States, Mexico,
Germany, Canada, Australia, Brazil, and others.

Federal Government in the United States: Division of Power

In the United States, the Constitution created the federal system by limiting the activities of the national
government to a few areas, such as collecting taxes, providing for defense, borrowing money on credit,
regulating commerce, creating a currency, establishing post offices and post roads, granting patents,
creating lower courts, and declaring war. The 10th amendment of the Constitution, on the other hand,
gave all other powers to the states. As a result, any specific power not given to the Federal government
is a power of the state government. The chart explains which powers are given to the federal
government and which are given to state governments.

Some candidates in the 2016 national elections have been vocal about their support for
federalism.

Presidential candidate Rodrigo Duterte, and vice presidential bets Alan Peter Cayetano
(his running mate) and Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr, in particular, have been
championing it.

Supporters of federalism say it will evenly distribute wealth across the country instead of
the bulk going to "imperial" Manila. Detractors, like presidential candidate Grace Poe,
say it will further entrench political dynasties in the regions and create confusion over
responsibilities.

Read on to find out more about federalism and its perceived advantages and
disadvantages.

What is federalism?

It is a form of government where sovereignty is constitutionally shared between a

central governing authority and constituent political units called states or regions.

In basic terms, it will break the country into autonomous regions with a national
government focused only on interests with nationwide bearing: foreign policy and
defense, for example.

The autonomous regions or states, divided further into local government units, will have
primary responsibility over developing their industries, public safety, education,
healthcare, transportation, recreation, and culture. These states will have more power
over their finances, development plans, and laws exclusive to ther jurisdiction.

The central government and states can also share certain powers.

How is it different from what we have now?

We presently have a unitary form of government. Most administrative powers and

resources are with the national government based in Metro Manila. It's Malacañang that
decides how much to give local government units. The process is prone to abuse, with
governors and mayors sometimes having to beg Malacañang for projects they believe
their communities need.

Locals decide for themselves. Regions have their own unique problems, situations,
geographic, cultural, social and economic contexts. Federalism allows them to create
solutions to their own problems instead of distant Metro Manila deciding for them.

The states can establish policies that may not be adopted nationwide. For example,
liberal Metro Manila can allow same-sex marriage which the state of Bangsamoro,
predominantly Muslim, would not allow. In the United States, some states like Colorado
and Washington have legalized recreational marijuana even if other states have not.

This makes sense in an archipelago of over 7,000 islands and 28 dominant ethnic
groups. For decades, the national government has been struggling to address the
concerns of 79 (now 81) provinces despite challenges posed by geography and cultural
differences.

With national government, and thus power, centered in Metro Manila, it's no surprise
that development in the mega city has spiralled out of control while other parts of the
country are neglected.

More power over funds, resources. Right now, local government units can only
collect real estate tax and business permit fees. In federalism, they can retain more of
their income and are required to turn over only a portion to the state government they
fall under.

Thus, local governments and state governments can channel their own funds toward
their own development instead of the bulk of the money going to the national
government. They can spend the money on programs and policies they see fit without
waiting for the national government's go signal.

Promotes specialization. The national and state governments can specialize in

different policy domains. With most administrative powers now with the regional
governments, the national government can focus on foreign policy, defense, and other
nationwide concerns, like healthcare and taxation.

States have more autonomy to focus on economic development using their core
competencies and industries. The state of Central Luzon can focus on becoming an
agricultural hub. The state of Mimaropa, home to Palawan, can choose to use eco-
tourism as its primary launch pad.
Possible solution to the Mindanao conflict. The creation of the state of Bangsamoro
within a federalist system may address concerns of separatists who crave more autonomy over
the administration of Muslim Mindanao.

Decongestion of Metro Manila. Through fiscal autonomy for state governments,

federalism will more evenly distribute the country's wealth. In 2015, 35% of the national budget
went to Metro Manila even if it represents only 14% of the Philippine population.

Lessens dependence on Metro Manila. When there is political upheaval in Metro

Manila, other regions that have nothing to do with the chain of events are left waiting for the
resources that ony the national government can release. With federalism, regions work
independently of Metro Manila for most concerns.

Brings government closer to the people. If detractors say federalism will only make
local political dynasties more powerful, supporters give the argument that, in fact, it will make all
local leaders, including those part of political dynasties, more accountable to their constituents.
State governments will no longer have any excuse for delays in services or projects that, in the
present situation, are often blamed on choking bureaucracy
Assuming more autonomy for regions leads to economic development, there will be more
incentive for Filipinos to live and work in regions outside Metro Manila. More investors may also
decide to put up their businesses there, creating more jobs and opportunities to attract more
people away from the jam-packed mega city.

Encourages competition. With states now more self-reliant and in control of their
development, they will judge themselves relative to how their fellow states are progressing. The
competitive spirit will hopefully motivate state leaders and citizens to level up in terms of quality
of life, economic development, progressive policies, and governance.

The founder assured that this system of government will bring more power on the part of the
LGUs. “Kung mamarapatin pupunta na tayo sa federalismo na ating naiisip, mas makadagdag
yun sa kapangyarihan ng ating gobyernong lokal,” former senator said. (If it pleases, we are
now heading to the federalism we always thought of, it will give more power to our local
government.) He said that the Local Government Code of 1991 or Republic Act 7160 would be
amended so that the regions will be entitled to more funds for various development programs,
which would meet the need of different provinces. He also assured that the provinces will not be
abolished. “Ilalagay lang sila sa isang federal government para mas madali ang pagbigay ng
solusyon sa kanilang pangangailangan imbes na pupunta pa sila sa Metro Manila,” he
explained. (The will just be placed in a federal government to provide easier solutions to their
needs instead of going to Metro Manila.) Presumptive President and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo
“Digong” Duterte is working on the overhauling of the three-decade-old 1987 Constitution of the
Philippines and is proposing a shift to a federal-parliamentary form of government, according to
the mayor’s spokesman, Peter Laviña. "There will be a major rewriting of the constitution,"
Laviña said. "We have seen the failure of the presidential form (of government)," he added.
Mayor Duterte will request the Congress to pass a law for the election of members to a
constitutional convention that will draft the necessary amendments to the charter. This will be
done within the first six months of his term. "That will require a wide national consensus
beginning with asking congress to call for a constitutional convention," Peter Lavina said in a
media interview. He also said that such amendments would be submitted to a plebiscite by year
2019. The first federal elections could possibly be held in 2022 or at the end of his term. Duterte
desires to keep foreign affairs, customs, and national defense under a central government and
decentralize the rest. "He (Duterte) will be president towards that transition," Lavina stressed.
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