Do we really need a Federal System?

By: John Jowell F. Bayran X – Alexandrite

The Philippines is currently in a unitary state with the President as both the head of state
and the head of government. The government of the Philippines is made up of three
interdependent branches which are the legislative, the executive, and the judicial system. In the
middle of the continuous proliferation of adjustments being made by President Rodrigo Duterte’s
administration, a shift in the system of government the Philippines has is proposed, causing an
enormous amount of oppositions and reactions from different officials and Filipino citizens to
appear. It is the residuary and inviolable sovereignity mainly known as Federalism.
Federalism is a proposed type of government wherein sovereignity is constitutionally divided
between the national government and subdivisional governments such as states or provinces
which also indicates that the local government in every region will have the main responsibility
on developing the land industry, public health and safety, education, transportation, and culture
aside from having more power over their finances.
Pulse Asia and Social Weather Stations (SWS) conducted a nationwide opinion poll which
concluded that at the end of March 2018, 37% of Filipinos agree while 29% disagree the time
they were asked if they are in favor of a federal system of government in our homeland but I
think considering that not all Filipinos are fully apprised with the definition of Federalism, their
answers to the poll would not determine the capability of gaining a benefit to us or not.
Like all forms of government, Federalism has ugly sides based on what I see for it would be
an overlap in the jurisdiction. There will be ambiguities that can lead to conflict and confusion
and also a chance that its infringement will bring more division that unity in the Philippines.
According to Patricia Ann Ching, an employee in the National Economic and Development
Authority, Federalism is really not advisable as of now because we really lack budget, and the
government and Filipinos themselves are still not prepared for a change.
Being divided is never an option to become a better country that most of us are dreaming to
have especially the countries where the leaders themselves are the ones who commence an
alarming turmoil like the presence of corruption in the government’s supremacy. It is clear to me
that we could not even establish a stature of constitution worth being very proud of with the
current unilateral constitution we have therefore how would the Philippines’ condition be if we
became a federalist country. I regard that unity is the key to a providential success.
Philippines is an archipelago which means that our country is comprised of multitudinous
diverse islands then what more if we have Federalism. Filipinos should instead retain the
system of government we have in the present, not like entities that are broken into piece. The
President should think more whether Federalism should be ratified or not. Deep analysis is
greatly needed concerning about this issue. We should avoid being like fragments because if
we are divided, we will fall. A country worth being proud of should live as one because if we are
together and united, we will stand.