The federal system – is it for us?

QUEZON City, Philippines  (December 10) – There is no such thing as a perfect government. Every system, every state has its own flaws and imperfections. Every country has their own type of government that is suitable for their people and for their society. Here in the Philippines, we are under the democratic form of government, wherein the power is given to the people because they are given the power to choose who will  lead the country for the next 6 years.

Ever since our independence in 1898, we are already a democracy. Because we are given the right to elect officials who will run the country’s government. For more than 100 years, we have been a democratic republic. Now, do you think its about time to tweak the system of government.

The question is alive – in the streets, in the mass media and in the internet. And with the coming year being an election year, our presidentiables are promising said change.

One of said presidentiables – Mayor Rodrigo Duterte of Davao City is proposing the adoption of the federal system. He is always giving speeches about the benefits of the federal system of government and many of his supporters believe him when he says that such system is appropriate for the Philippines.

And maybe he is right. But a federal system calls for a national government that is strong enough to monitor the local and regional governments. With each region having their own government, the democratic base will actually broaden and the people will be more powerful. It will be easier for the people to express their opinions and air their grievances and make sure that the local and regional governments will heed them.

In a country where each region practically has its own government, one may be tempted to ask: what will be the purpose of the national government.

With each region empowered to make decisions and to run the day-to-day affairs of their respective jurisdiction, it is up to the national government to ensure that the goals of each region are coordinated and will not be to the detriment of the country as a whole.

So now, the question is – is this the change that we need?

There is nothing wrong with changing our system of government but said step should only be undertaken after taking long and careful deliberation and measures adopted to ensure that the transition be smooth and easy.

But at the end of the day, we must keep in mind that no matter the system of government a country has, it is ultimately up to the people to make it work.

(written by Judy Anne Casamayor, edited by Jay Paul Carlos, additional research by Lovely Ann Cruz)