Pasig City gov’t launches federalism forums

“Will federalism stop corruption, poverty?” “What if the leader becomes a dictator?”

These were some of the questions raised by Pasig residents to local officials conducting forums on federalism upon the initiative of the city government.

The first forum held at Tanghalang Pasigueño on Jan. 24 was attended by around 1,000 key stakeholders and members of various groups from different barangays, according to Pasig Councilor Corie Raymundo.

President Rodrigo Duterte had earlier announced his plan to appoint a 24-member commission to draft a constitution that would shift the country toward federalism and end the Moro secessionist rebellion in Mindanao.

Raymundo, who was vice president for academic affairs of the University of the Philippines from 1995 to 1998, heads the Pasig federalism committee along with Councilors Gregorio Rupisan Jr. and Ferdinand Abis.

The series of federalism forums in the city are expected to run until March 24.

“Federalism is [already] being talked about. There is a possibility it may happen so we should be ready to participate [to make informed decisions],” Raymundo recalled Pasig Mayor Robert Eusebio as telling her before the city council formed a federalism committee.

2-hour forums in 30 areas

The two-hour forums will be held once in 24 barangays, and twice in six of the bigger barangays: Manggahan, Pinagbuhatan, Kalawaan, Santolan, Rosario and Sta Lucia, said Raymundo.

According to her, she studied federalism through research and by interviewing some of her former colleagues in the academe—most of them its proponents.

“The seminar is very important. Nakanganga sila [They were listening with mouths agape]. Can you imagine? The grassroots people were there [asking questions],” she said of those who attended the forum, adding that participants were very curious about federalism.

Beneficial for PH

“Federalism is good for a country that is big and diverse. If it will push through, you are giving a chance to regions to have power and autonomy. That’s the thing I liked about it,” Raymundo explained.

For instance, half of the people in Pasig are migrants, she noted. Through federalism, a region will have the ability to develop its national and people resources, leading to fewer people migrating to Manila or leaving the country to work overseas.

“My worry, however, is what if the elected leaders do not have the capacity? Maybe the government should also consider changing the eligibility requirements for government officials if federalism will push through,” she said.