IN THE most recent Regional Consultation on Federalism, we had nine members of the 22 member Consultative Committee. Two of which came from Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Virgilio C. Bautista and Lawyer Laurence B. Wacnang, both were commended by Brigitt Pawid during the open forum.
The registration was at 8:00 o’clock in the morning and we started a few minutes beyond nine o’clock, a bit late and ended up beyond 12:35 p.m. as planned in the program. Nevertheless, I left at 12:30 p.m. for Manila for another forum. I was part of this forum as one of the ten representative of the Baguio Benguet Chapter of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (PCCI-BBC).
However, that more than an hour of registration period was enough for me to move around the tables trying to get a pulse of those who came on time. I would say that at least ninety percent of those I spoke with were for Autonomy first before Federation; some from government, private and religious. It seems a shift from decades ago when we would go around the provinces to ask opinions as well as information dissemination of a Cordillera Autonomy.
It looks that after two decades most have information, knowledge and appreciation of Cordillera Autonomy, that’s my assessment. When some people have given up hope of realizing autonomy, a greater number of the old and the younger generation are embracing the concept which could lead to a reality.
I have experienced processing papers in Ilocos Region and in the CAR and have seen the difference of a Cordillera or Igorotlandia that has been divided politically and administratively. It is highly advantageous being in a region where similarities in culture, terrain, history and traditions exist. It may happen that before the decade ends, we might have an autonomous region if advocacy will not slacken nor distractions override the focus, and those who were there in the start have not given up the race but see it to the end.
Now, comes federalism. Based on the presentation of those who spoke in the panel during the regional consultation, it seems to solve the problems of poverty and corruption. My perceptions say, it is too good to be true, though that would be too early an opinion since we have not yet seen the draft.
I am open to other opinions when the draft would be downloaded to stakeholders who matter and the matter is of interest to stakeholders. Based on what they seem to address, it looks these could be done through legislation of our bicameral bodies. Equally, some items mentioned could be addressed by an executive order to curve powers and abuses in the executive and the government agencies. Saying that, does not mean that it does not mean I do not favor Federalism, but I am very much open to the concept as we have seen numerous countries have done it successfully and have become great countries providing and protecting their citizens or subjects. I have resided briefly and visited countries, including Europe and visited the US and have seen federated countries at work. But the bi-word during the forum was Filipino style of Federation, and we have still to see the initial draft.
However, it was whispered that powers passed by December, and so I retorted, meaning no more 2019 elections. The response? Exactly, no more elections, however, federalism is targeted for 2022 or beyond. My opinion, maybe beyond, in mind was the Cordillera autonomy experience. The first to be considered is the mindset.
I observed that at least four of the nine member panel presenters have political connections of the present administration (maybe more if I meet or hear the other members of the Constitution review committee). With that reality, there exist some clouds and cobwebs that needs to dissipate to see the real proposed Federalism.
But as many from this region may say, Autonomy before Federalism.