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{{short description|Overview of federalism in the Philippines}}{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2020}}File:Federal states of the Philippines.png|thumb|300px|Emilio Aguinaldo and Apolinario Mabini intended the Philippines to be divided into three federal states, Luzon, the Visayas and MindanaoMindanaoFederalism in the Philippines () refers to political movements in the Philippines that are variants of federalism. Federalism has grown in popularity among Filipinos in recent decades, with multiple political candidates successfully campaigning on federalism-based platforms. In 2022, Bongbong Marcos won the Philippine presidential election under the banner of Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (English: Federal Party of the Philippines; abbr. PFP).

History

{{Politics of the Philippines}}The concept of a federal government for the Philippines was first suggested by José Rizal. He outlined his vision of federalist governance on his essay Filipinas dentro de cien años ("The Philippines a Century Hence") that was published by the Barcelona-based propaganda paper La Solidaridad in 1889.NEWS,weblink #Pinoy: Federalism in the Philippines, 42 questions answered, Hilotin, Jay, October 24, 2018, GulfNews, October 25, 2018, In 1899, Filipino revolutionaries Emilio Aguinaldo and Apolinario Mabini also suggested dividing the islands into three federal states.NEWS,weblink The debate on federalism, New Straits Times, May 28, 2016, April 17, 2015, One of the first proponents of federalism in the Philippines in the 21st century is professor Jose Abueva from the University of the Philippines who argued that a federal form of government is necessary to more efficiently cater to the needs of the country despite its diversity.WEB,weblinkweblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20080819185513weblink">weblink August 19, 2008, dead, Decentralization and federalism in the Philippines: Lessons from the global community, Brillantes, A. B., Moscare, D., 2002, The primary goals of a constitutional amendment is to increase decentralization, greater local power and access to resources most especially among regions outside Metro Manila which has long been dubbed as rather imperial.WEB,weblink Towards a Federal Republic of the Philippines: Liberating the country from the stifling, centralized, colonial control of "Imperial Manila", Abueva, J. V., Aside from Abueva, senator Aquilino Pimentel Jr. was a prominent supporter of federalism who, beginning in 2001, advocated for federalism. He saw the proposed system as a key component in alleviating the Mindanao crisis and appeasing Moro insurgents. According to Pimentel, even though federalism was never intended to appease any followers of any specific ideology of religion, it will also hasten economic development, since resource and financial mobilization is upon each state's or province's discretion without significant constraint from the central government.WEB,weblinkweblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20051225171327weblink">weblink December 25, 2005, dead, Some advantages of federalism and parliamentary government for the Philippines, Abueva, J V., 2005, However, in 2009, after Senate and House resolutions supporting charter change were released, an estimated 13,000 to 15,000 people gathered in Makati to protest against these executive department-deriving proposals for constitutional reform. This was due to speculations that Philippine president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo would use such amendments to extend her hold in office.WEB,weblink Thousands march in Makati vs. charter change, April 17, 2015,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20130721130638weblink">weblink July 21, 2013, dead, In addition, Pulse Asia published in the same year their survey regarding public support for the proposed charter change; the survey reported that four out of ten Filipino adults, or 42% of all respondents, opposed the amendment, with 25% still undecided and 33% in favor. Pulse Asia furthered that from 2006 to 2009 there was no significant change of sentiment against the charter change proposal, although indecision increased by 6%.WEB,weblink 42% of Pinoys oppose charter change, The Philippine STAR, April 17, 2015, In late 2014, then-Davao City mayor Rodrigo Duterte launched a nationwide campaign calling for a charter change for federalism. During his visit to Cebu City in October of the same year, Duterte stated that federalism will facilitate better delivery of services to the people.WEB,weblink Duterte wants cha-cha for federalism, October 6, 2014, April 17, 2015, He also saw the current system as "antiquated"WEB,weblink Duterte says gov't system antiquated, opens federalism summit today, Manila Bulletin, April 17, 2015, where distribution of public funds is disproportionately biased towards Metro Manila. Aside from the economic aspect, federalism is also seen as the best means to address problems in Mindanao which suffers the most from ethno-religious conflicts.WEB,weblink Argument for federalism: Manila steals funds, October 10, 2014, April 17, 2015, Duterte added that the current unitary form of government has not worked well given the ethnic diversity in the country.WEB,weblink Duterte visits Dumaguete City to promote federalism, The Philippine STAR, April 17, 2015, In spite of initially rejecting several calls for his candidacy for the 2016 presidential elections, he cited his organizational reforms if he were to become president. Parallel to his campaign for federalism, Duterte planned to privatize tax collection and abolish the Congress to make way for a unicameral legislature, contrary to the originally proposed Joint Resolution No. 10.WEB,weblink Duterte eyes abolition of Congress if elected president in 2016, The Philippine STAR, April 17, 2015, Movements for federalism further intensified from when the draft of the Bangsamoro Basic Law was submitted by Philippine president Benigno Aquino III to the 16th Congress on September 10, 2014.WEB,weblink PNoy personally submits draft Bangsamoro law to Congress leaders, April 17, 2015, From approval, this law establishes the Bangsamoro as an autonomous region with its own parliamentary government and police force.WEB,weblink FAQs about the Bangsamoro Basic Law, April 17, 2015, Approval of the Bangsamoro structure would provide federalism proponents and supporters added confidence to clamor for the national government to enact reforms towards a more decentralized system for the rest of the country.In May 2016, President-elect Rodrigo Duterte stated that a plebiscite on the proposed replacement of the unitary state with a federal one will be held in two years.WEB,weblink Duterte: Polls on federalism in 2 yrs, Philippine Daily, Inquirer, May 20, 2016, On December 7, 2016, Duterte signed Executive Order No. 10 creating a consultative committee to review the 1987 Constitution.WEB,weblink Duterte signs EO creating committee to review 1987 Constitution, GMA News, Macas, T., December 9, 2016, May 17, 2017,

Initiatives

Under President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Joint Resolution No. 10

The resolution may require the revision of 14 of the 18 Articles of the 1987 Philippine Constitution and the addition of two new articles. It sought to adopt a federal and presidential form of government with a bicameral legislature. This proposed resolution was backed by 12 senators of the Philippines: Aquilino Pimentel Jr., Edgardo Angara, Rodolfo Biazon, Pia Cayetano, Juan Ponce Enrile, Francis Escudero, Jinggoy Estrada, Gregorio Honasan, Panfilo Lacson, Francis Pangilinan, Ramon Revilla Jr. and Manuel Villar.WEB,weblink Federalism gets majority backing in Senate, April 28, 2008, April 17, 2015, Arroyo for a shift to this system in her later state of the nation address.NEWS,weblink Arroyo urges political system overhaul, Aljazeera, July 25, 2005, September 6, 2021, In 2008, senator Aquilino Pimentel Jr. proposed Joint Resolution No. 10, which would revise the current 1987 constitution and have created eleven autonomous regions out of the Philippine Republic, establishing eleven centers of finance and development in the archipelago.{{Citation|url=http://senate.gov.ph/14th_congress/resolutions/sjr-10.pdf|title=Joint Resolution to Convene the Congress into a Constituent Assembly for the Purpose of Revising the Constitution to Establish a Federal System of Government|publisher=Senate of the Republic of the Philippines|date=April 23, 2008|access-date=June 27, 2008}}The proposal would result in the creation of eleven "states" and one federal administrative region.Eleven senators endorse federal system of govt.WEB, Federalism in the Philippines?,weblink Pilipino Express, April 5, 2016, December 16, 2014, {{col-begin|width=auto}}{{col-break}}{| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:95%;background-color:white;white-space:nowrap;border:none;margin:auto;" style="vertical-align:top;"! scope="col" style="text-align:center;" colspan="3" | Proposed designations, capitals, and geographic extents (2008) style="vertical-align:top;border-bottom:double grey;"! scope="col" style="text-align:center;" colspan="3" | {{small|States (11)}} style="vertical-align:top;border-bottom:double grey;"! scope="col" style="text-align:center;" | {{small|Letter}}! scope="col" style="text-align:left;" | {{small|State}}! scope="col" style="text-align:left;" | {{small|Capital}}! scope="row" | A| Northern Luzon| Tuguegarao! scope="row" | B| Central Luzon| San Fernando, Pampanga! scope="row" | C| Southern Tagalog | Tagaytay! scope="row" | D| Minparom| Mamburao! scope="row" | E| Bicol

Legazpi, Albay>Legazpi

! scope="row" | F| Eastern Visayas| Catbalogan! scope="row" | G| Central Visayas

Toledo, Cebu>Toledo

! scope="row" | H| Western Visayas| Iloilo City! scope="row" | I| Northern Mindanao| Cagayan de Oro! scope="row" | J| Southern Mindanao| Davao City! scope="row" | K| BangsaMoro | Marawi style="vertical-align:top;border-bottom:double grey;"! scope="col" style="text-align:center;" colspan="3" | {{small|Other (1)}} style="vertical-align:top;border-bottom:double grey;" style="vertical-align:top;border-bottom:double grey;"! scope="col" style="text-align:center;" | {{small|Letter}}! scope="col" style="text-align:left;" colspan=2| {{small|Federal Administrative Region}}! scope="row" | M

Metro Manila

{{col-break|gap=0.75em}}(File:Federal philippines (letter coded) map.svg|center|thumb|upright=2){{col-end}}{{Reflist|group=lower-alpha}}Within the joint resolution are certain proposals such as election of senators based on states, senators representing overseas voters and the state governor and vice-governor as one team. The Judicial and Bar Council which screens nominees to the judiciary would be abolished. Geographic locations of the three branches of the government would also be reconsidered. In the proposal, the legislative department would be transferred to what would become the State of Central Visayas while the judicial department would be moved somewhere within the State of Northern Luzon. The executive department would remain within the federal administrative region of Metro Manila.WEB,weblink In a surprise move, senators give qualified yes to charter debate, April 24, 2008,

House Concurrent Resolution No. 15

Rep. Monico Puentevella on May 7, 2008, filed House Concurrent Resolution No. 15 which supported Senate Resolution No. 10 backed by 16 senators. Unlike the Nene Pimentel Senate Resolution, Puentevella included the option of holding a constitutional convention, but excluded the People's Initiative mode.WEB,weblink House resolution supports change in form of government, Prospero Nograles, a self-proclaimed advocate of federalism, on May 1, 2008, announced: "This federal system of government is close to my heart as a Mindanaoan leader and I'm sure most of the leaders in Mindanao will agree that we have long clamored for it. Senate Resolution 10 is a pleasant surprise because the Senate has a long history of opposing any move to amend the Constitution."NEWS,weblink House, Senate begin cha-cha talks next week, ABS-CBN, May 2008, The joint Senate resolution called for the creation of 11 federal states in the country, by convening of Congress "into a constituent assembly for the purpose of revising the Constitution to establish a federal system of government."

Under President Rodrigo Duterte

President Rodrigo Duterte has pushed for the adoption of a federal system of government for the Philippines, which was one of his campaign promises when he ran for president in 2016.NEWS, Duterte: If you don't want federalism, fine,weblink 3 July 2021, GMA News Online, 25 June 2019, en, Duterte issued Executive Order No. 10 which created the 25-member Consultative Committee (ConCom) on December 7, 2016 for the review of the 1987 Constitution. Duterte appointed the first 22 members of the committee in January 24, 2018.WEB, The state of the regions by stats: Unpacking the federalism gambit,weblink Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, 3 July 2021,weblink 24 February 2019, 19 February 2019, The ConCom submitted its first federal constitution draft on July 9, 2018.NEWS, Vera Files Fact Sheet: How the Consultative Committee pictures a 'Federal Republic of the Philippines',weblink 3 July 2021, Vera Files, 9 July 2018, en, The draft underwent several changes with the newer versions criticized; such as for omitting provisions which serves as safeguard against political dynasties and turncoatism, provisions on federated regions, and the removal of the position of Vice President.NEWS, Madarang, Catalina Ricci S., Duterte's federalism agenda: Another of campaign vows off the table,weblink 3 July 2021, Interaksyon, 30 July 2019, In 2018, surveys showed a lack of awareness on federalism was attributed to the lack of support for the campaign by the public.NEWS, Esguerra, Christian, 'Unbundled' federalism pushed to save Duterte's campaign promise,weblink 3 July 2021, ABS-CBN News, 14 June 2019, en, Last year’s surveys showed a prevailing lack of knowledge on federalism among Filipinos, majority of whom were not inclined to support the set-up., As of August 2020, the Duterte administration was still pursuing the shift to federalism and was considering three options to accomplish this; by amending the 1987 Constitution through Constitutional Convention (Con-Con), Constituent Assembly (Con-Ass), or people's initiative.NEWS, Parrocha, Azer, Duterte still pushing for federalism but not 'RevGov',weblink July 3, 2021, Philippine News Agency, August 24, 2020, en, {{update inline|date=November 2022}}

See also

• Proposed federal states of the Philippines
• Federal State of the Visayas
• Bangsamoro
• Cordillera autonomy movement
• CoRRECT Movement

References

{{reflist|2}}

External links

• {{Citation|url=http://www.senate.gov.ph/press_release/2008/0423_pimentel1.asp|title=Press release: Pimentel files resolution on federal system|date=April 23, 2008|publisher=Senate of the Philippines, 14th Congress|access-date=April 25, 2008}}
• {{Citation|url=http://www.senate.gov.ph/14th_congress/resolutions/sjr-10.pdf|title=Joint Resolution No. 10: A Joint Resolution to convene Congress into a Constituent Assembly for the purpose of revising the constitution to establish a federal system of governmentauthor2=Egardo Angara

author4=Pia "Compañera" Cayetano author6=Francis "Chiz" Escudero author8=Gregario Honasan author10=Francis Pangilinan author12=Manuel "Manny" Vilar |date=April 23, 2008|publisher=Senate of the Philippines|access-date=May 13, 2008}}

• BOOK, Federalism and Multiculturalism, 2006, University of the Philippines, 177–204,weblink Federalism Initiatives in the Philippines, Cureg, Elyzabeth F., Matunding, Jennifer F.,weblink