Key Message:
Under a federal system, the Philippines will give more power, responsibilities, and resources to state governments and local government units, thus
empowering ordinary Filipinos to take control of their own development and tailor their programs and directions to their needs.
WHAT IS FEDERALISM AND WHAT WILL IT LOOK LIKE?
Core Message (structure):
A federal system will divide government into
several levels—central or federal, state, and local—
which will have their own separate, but co-equal
branches.
 Central (federal), state (state
governors/ministers), and local (mayors,
etc.)
 Each will have an LCE, legislative body
separate from one another
o Head of State and Head of
Government
o NGAs still exist but with different
responsibilities (PDP-Laban and
PENAMFED)
o PENAMFED and PDP-Laban:
Unicameral Parliamentary
o LGUs still exist but with different
responsibilities and levels of
accountability
 State laws and federal laws (possibly
individual state constitutions)
 SO WHAT?
o Long-term impact: officials are
closer to the people (link to
accountability)
o How is it different from local
autonomy? -> more expansive local
autonomy (autonomy comes with
extra resources)
Core Message (devolution of power and resources): Core Message (devolution of
responsibilities):
State and local governments will have access to more
funds and greater decision-making power under a federal
system, so they can implement any project that falls  Link to transparency and
under their own jurisdiction; however, with this shift are accountability
greater expectations from the public to deliver.  State governments provide for
almost everything except
 Link to economic and socio-political core messages national defense and foreign
 KKB or equitable resource allocation? policy, monetary policy,
o Equalization fund: rich regions provide for education (single curriculum),
poorer regions inter-state regulations
o IRA: Currently 40% goes to LGU  Question of efficiency and
 Under Fed, the system is reversed: capacity
more money stays in the LGU (75-
80% goes to regions)
 Power goes to regions and local governments
o No need for national gov’t approval for
state projects -> as long as the project is in
your jurisdiction, you have to take
responsibility
 States create their own laws
 Taxation
o Regional: Real property, business, excise
on minerals, donor stocks, estate tax,
motor vehicle, amusements, capital gains
on property, fees and charges
o Federal: customs, VAT, excise on anything
but minerals, energy, capital gains except
on property, documentary stamp, joint
authority on corporate and personal
incomes, will get share from regional tax
(~20% -> equalization fund goes here)
o
WHAT ARE FEDERALISM’S BENEFITS?
Core Message (economic):
Because most of a state’s revenue will remain
within the state—with poorer states receiving an
equalization fund as federal assistance—state and
local governments will have the resources to do as
they will, resulting in more projects as well as
employment in public and private sectors.
 States will have the resources to do as they
will
 More money stays in the regions
 Intermediate
 Long-term
o Inclusive development
 Resource-sharing:
o How will we generate resources?
(taxation)
o How will we share? (equalization,
75-80% rIRA)
o What are the benefits:
 More state revenue from
share of taxes alone (basic
assumption)
 More projects: more money
for local service providers
 Local employment in
government
HOW WILL WE ACHIEVE FEDERALISM?
Core Message (transition process):
Holding a Constitutional Convention—wherein
elected delegates draft a new constitution before
being approved by a referendum—will ensure the
new constitution and political structure reflect
Filipinos’ interests.
 Preferred: ConCon
Core Message (socio-political empowerment): Core Message (good
Bringing the government closer to the people will governance):
encourage citizens to participate in decision-making by  Meritocracy in government
holding their elected and appointed officials accountable  Government positions will be
for policies that would shape their community’s direction. more accessible
In doing so, local governments will truly represent its
people and create space for diversity to flourish.
 Give people a voice by bringing government closer
o Assumption: Your government officials care
about you and will do something to help
you
 Respect for people of various backgrounds
o Tailored strategies
o Greater respect for human rights (connect
to local police force)
 Long-term: Peace and stability (particularly in
Mindanao) -> with Federalism, BBL is almost
assured
o Structures are more accessible ->
community police (local police are made of
locals)
o Greater “community policing” -> police
force embedded in the community (are
police forces ready?)
o Feedback and reporting/monitoring
mechanism
 Rebirth of the “Filipino spirit” (diversity)
Core Message (capacitating future leaders): Core Message (Citizen
Participation):
 Capacity Development
o Capacitating federal officials In order to create a new model of
o Capacitating regional/local officials government that is truly reflective of
 Impact: Meritocracy the Philippines, Filipinos must
participate in the process by electing
good representatives to the
Constitutional Convention and
 o Elect representatives who represent remaining vigilant during the drafting
your interests of the new Constitution and
o Deliberate and decide on: what our subsequent elections.
federal model will look like and the
basic principles promoted by the  Elect good ConCon reps
constitutions  Be vigilant during the drafting
of the Constitution and the
elections
 Impact: A federal Philippines
that works for all Filipinos

NOTE: BEST IF THE SUPPORTING EVIDENCE IS FROM RESEARCH AND MODELLING (particularly the econ benefits)

 Translate econ benefits to tangible benefits (ex. If there is a P100 peso increase to the daily wage, how many kilos of rice would you be able to
buy? How long do you have to save to buy a car/house?)
 Concern: If more money goes to LGUs, what happens to dynasties?
 Concern 2: Is meritocracy a given?