Monday, September 15, 2008 Speak Out: Prostitution of federalism By Cebu Federal, Inc.
CEBU Federal, Inc. (Cefedi) is an organization of volunteers who believe that a change to a federal system of government is the only way to save our country and provide the young a better place to live in.
The present unitary form is derived from our colonial past. This was intended to make it convenient for the central government to control the countryside. This allowed an easier and faster transfer of resources from the out-flung provinces to the seat of power. The colonizers are long gone, but in their stead remains a cabal of local elites dedicated to the same purpose.
Cefedi was excited when Sen. Nene Pimentel filed Resolution No. 10, duly supported by 16 of his fellow senators. We were further elated when the Administration expressed agreement to Pimentel’s proposal. Unfortunately, recent events led to the suspicion that all these are mere machinations intended to placate the people, but maintain the status quo.
Recently, Members of the House of Representatives have gone around to the barangays in their respective districts and to conduct informal surveys. They talk for two or three hours, serve food and drinks, and then ask the attendees to fill up a questionnaire. One question asks whether the respondent is for or against a Constitutional amendment, how should it be amended and when shall such amendment be made. The next question is “are you in favor of a “federal system” followed by “are you in favor of a parliamentary system.”
All these on the assumption that the barangay officials in attendance were able to understand the ramifications of a Constitutional amendment, the election of people who will amend the Constitution, what provisions to amend, etc., and the nuances of a federal system and/or parliamentary system, after a morning of speeches. And, further, assuming that these same barangay officials are really not beholden to the census taker from whom they regularly beg for financial assistance.
The expected outcome is: yes, we want a federal form of government; yes we want a parliamentary form of government and yes, we want it now.
Cefedi has been engaged in discussions in small groups regarding our advocacy way before Senator Pimentel filed Resolution No. 10. We know it takes a lot of devotion, and time, to educate people on these concepts. We find this situation even in fora composed of college students already steeped and interested in these political discussions.
But here comes the congressmen, given their marching order from high up, gathering signatures which will show that the officials in the barangays all want a federal and parliamentary form of government to be established by 2010! The obvious intent is to ensure that those now in power shall remain in power, after 2010.
We in Cefedi object to the prostitution of our cause.
