THE invitation was hard to resist and be a part of “A Debate on Federal Philippines: Examining the Economic, Social, and Political Viability of Federalism in the Philippines” held last Friday, August 17, 2018 at the 5 star Limketkai Luxe Hotel.
It was sponsored by the School of Government of the Ateneo de Manila University, the Social Development Office of Xavier University and Konrad Adenauer Stiftung. We all know the first two institutions and googling Konrad Adenauer Stiftung revealed that the agency is here in the country mainly to develop programs on issue-areas that aim to help strengthening the democratization process in the Philippines. Its’ headquarters is in Sankt Augustin near Bonn, Germany and Wikipedia states that The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung e.V. is a German political party foundation associated with but independent of the centrist Christian Democratic Union.
I expected sparks to fly when it will be the father of the local government code, and who some say is original proponent of the federalism concept in the country former vice president and Senate President Nene Pimentel, with the infamous author of Republic Act 7279, the Urban Development and Housing Act of 1992, former Senator Jose Lina, as the main personalities in attendance.
But even the presence of our very own Mayor Oscar Moreno, and the political professors from the University of the Philippines and Ateneo de Manila, left me, and I am simply speaking for myself, with more questions rather than answers. Which brought me to the statement heard during the forum that if federalism is the answer, what is the question? Irritatingly true.
The forum naturally touched more on the political side of the proposition, since there were neither economic nor social experts present. Though Senator Pimentel tried to establish that he has been going around the country to espouse federalism and charter change independently of President Duterte’s avowed agenda, it looked from where I sat, that whether it will be a constitutional convention or a constituent assembly were to decide on the issue, the issue will end decided on whether you are for or against the president. Tragic and sad.
As one of the cities who have been able to use the local government code to its advantage, Cagayan de Oro enjoys the benefits of the law even with its’ imperfections on the economic level. But even then, we must admit that our political nature is really nothing more than feudal. Be it in the barangay or a school organization, it is the village chief or the class president who thinks and decides.
Authoritarian or dictatorial, but most of us prefer to being told what to do, dig into our pockets and let our officials or officers do the job.
Hardly parliamentary, as every issue seems to require urgent action rather preceded by intelligent research, consultation and discussion.
I nominate Juan de la Cruz for president and the nomination is closed and unanimously seconded. We cheer, congratulate the winner and leave the room. We fail to ask ourselves and express what we need nor ask candidates for their mission and vision. No wonder most of us are poor.
But why should politics precede all other issues when to my mind, politics is simply the shape of our economic and social needs and aspirations. Which brings me to the challenge for Kagayanons irregardless of political colors. We were fed in plush comforts and represented the Archdiocesan Good Governance Apostolate. And it dawned on me that we were not there to go out and banner whether we are pro or anti-federalism.
Our challenge is to go to the people and find out what their social and economic realities are, show the various political models and for them to decide which they think will serve them well. There is no one-size-fits-all political framework. That comes after and determined by what the people want to uplift themselves and their families from abject poverty.
And that we hope that doing so will determine if Cagayan de Oro will be the springboard of genuine political change in our country. Federalism or not, we all need education, health, jobs and quality of life. Politics should follow, and not lead.