Part 21
THE flustered, confused, approach to Philippine federalism with various competing models (e.g. PDP, Consultative Committee, House of Representatives etc.), further exposes the weakness of the attempt, on the best matrix for adoption. In the House version (authored by Speaker Gloria Arroyo & 21 other legislators) there is no specific number of federal states provisioned, leaving this to local government initiatives. In Article 3 a Bill of Rights, with a collateral of a Bill of Duties in Article 4. Article 7 revives the Two-Party System. Article 8 Legislative Department removes term limits, increases number of congressmen to 300 with 20% from party-lists, and aside from able to read and write, a requirement for a college degree. The House Speaker chairs the Commission on Appointments not the Senate President. Grants Congress power to increase its own appropriations, including the Judiciary, over the allocations recommended by the Executive Branch, etc. Art 16 on Amendments remains unchanged, however the Consultative-Committee version under Art. 21 speaks of “…its federal structure, its indissolubility & permanence shall not be subject to amendments or revisions”. Former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile cites this as “A very presumptuous provision…why do we deny future Filipinos the same freedom that we now exercise in our time.” The variances are striking. It presents a validation, federalism as alien to rooted historical experience, and Philippine culture. No grass-root clamor or traceable majority supporting federalism. The irrefutable dilemma, or malice, of said groups is the mad rush to drive federalism in the present Administration, before time runs out. The movement suspects their viability expires, post ‘Digong’. The president frankly indicated, he would not force the issue, if the people do not want it. And a “stronger president” should take the cudgels. Other indicative ironies to federalism include, programed funding for fumbling states, when the nature of such governance is, each state must to stand on their own. Dictated state capitals by whom? etc.
