BIGGEST FEDERALISM MEET SET IN DAVAO CITY MONDAY

By Manny Pinol

The advocacy to decentralize governance by creating Federal States in the different regions of the Philippines takes a giant leap Monday, Dec. 1, when several big names in the country's political, social, religious, civic and ethnic groups will meet for a Federalism Summit at the Grand Men Seng Hotel in Davao City.

Among those expected to attend Monday are former President Fidel V. Ramos, former Cebu City Mayor Tommy Osmena, Archbishop Fernando Capalla, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, Ateneo de Davao President Fr. Joel Tabora and several incumbent Governors, Mayors and Congressmen from all over the country.

Bangsamoro and Tribal leaders along with representatives of Left-leaning groups are also expected to be present including members of the academe who will serve as reactors.

Unlike the unitary form of government which the country has now, the Federal system of government calls for the creation of states all over the country which will be defined not only by geographical boundaries but also cultural and socio-political commonalities.

While there are already two autonomous regions in the country, namely the Cordillera Autonomous Region and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, the governance powers have largely been limited and decision making, especially budgeting, is still made in Metro Manila.

The foremost example of a federal system of government is the United States of America which is composed of 50 States headed by State Governors with their own legislature, Supreme Court and State Police.

Each State, while covered by the American Constitution, could enact laws which are only applicable in their territory, the example of which is the passage of the law allowing same-sex marriage in several states while conservative states have rejected it.

The advocacy for Federalism recently gained more support following the discovery of massive misuse of government funds by national government officials highlighted by the Napoles Pork Barrel Scam and the Malampaya Gas Fund Anomaly.

The inequitable distribution and sharing of the national wealth and resource have also contributed to the growing demand to decentralize governance.

The one-day Federalism Summit will end with Davao City Mayor Duterte, one of the prime movers of the Federalism movement, delivering a keynote speech in the afternoon.