IN THE KNOW: 2 models of a federal form of government

The House constitutional amendments committee is consolidating two proposed models of a federal form of government for the country.

The models are part of Resolution of Both Houses No. 8 filed by ABS Rep. Eugene Michael de Vera and Pampanga Rep. Aurelio Gonzales Jr., and the draft Constitution prepared by the PDP-Laban Federalism Institute.

Here are some of the major differences between the two:

Resolution of Both Houses No. 8:

There is a President and a Vice President, who retain their powers under the 1987 Constitution.

The President and the Vice President each have six-year terms.

Government is divided into two tiers: a federal state with a bicameral legislature and a regional government with a
unicameral legislature.

The federal state shall be divided into 18 regions, including
a Bangsamoro region. Each region shall be led by a regional governor with lawmaking power vested in a regional assembly.

Legislative power is vested in a Federal Congress composed of the Senate and the House of Representatives.

The Senate shall be composed of two to six senators per region, each elected at large of each region.

The House shall be composed of district and party-list representatives.

20 percent of all taxes collected shall go to the federal government, and 80 percent to the regional government.

The Federal Supreme Court retains its powers under the 1987 Constitution.

A regional Court of Appeals shall be established in each region.

PDP-Laban Federalism Institute:

There is a President, who shall be the head of state and a Prime Minister, who shall be the head of government, but no Vice
President.

The Prime Minister will be nominated by the President from a list of Federal Assembly members upon every election.

The President is given a maximum of two five-year terms.

Government is divided into two tiers: the Federal Government with a bicameral legislature and the regional government.

There shall be 11 regional governments.

Legislative power is vested in Parliament composed of the Federal Assembly and the Senate.

The Federal Assembly shall be composed of 400 members, of which 60 percent are directly elected by district and 50 percent are elected by a proportional representation system of political parties.

The Prime Minister shall also come from the Federal Assembly together with the Cabinet, a majority of whom shall come from the Federal Assembly.

The Senate shall be elected by region.

40 percent of all taxes collected shall go to the Federal Government, and 60 percent to the regional government.

The Federal Supreme Court retains its powers under the 1987 Constitution.

A regional Court of Appeals shall be established in each region. —DJ Yap