PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said on Thursday, August 24, 2023, that the Philippines is already doing the “first step” for the shift to a federal government, which aims to spread the “power centers” among local government units.
In his speech during the oath-taking ceremony of the new members of Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, for which Marcos serves as chairman, he mentioned that a federal form of government would bring stability to the political structure of the country.
“So, we are doing the first step of the federation – federal government for the Philippines in all but name, and that is what we will continue to do,” said Marcos.
“And that is very simple that derives from a very simple idea that the stability of a political structure is much more reliable when we have many power centers. If the power centers only belong here in Manila, then pabagsakin mo ‘yung Manila, bagsak ang buong Pilipinas (if Manila falls, the entire Philippines falls),” he added.
The President said that the decision-making should be made as low as possible, noting the local government officials are much more aware of what is happening on the ground.
“The central principle that we give the functions and the powers to – we allow functions and powers to be exercised at the lowest possible level. Siyempre ‘pag national, kailangan dito sa central office, dito sa Palasyo, sa mga Cabinet, tayo ang magde-decide (Of course, when it's national, decisions need to be made here at the central office, here in the Palace, in the Cabinet),” he said.
“Pero pagka naman ay maaari na sa regional level, maaari nang pag-usapan ng mga governor, ng mga congressman, kayo na ang bahala. Iyon ang ating central principle, kaya’t ‘yun ang ating sinusundan,” he added.
(But when it's at the regional level, it can already be discussed by the governors, the congressmen, it's up to you. That's our central principle, that's what we're following.)
He noted that it is the “central ideology” of their party.
Marcos said they are also trying to build alliances with other political parties to align political forces to strengthen and further promote its ideologies among political leaders.
“Patitibayin natin nang husto dahil mayroon talaga tayong ipinaglalaban. Kailangan natin ng maraming kakampi, kailangan natin ng lahat ng tulong. At diyan nabuhay ‘yung aming tinatawag na whole-of-government at whole-of-nation approach dahil nga kailangan talaga lahat ay magkaisa,” the President said.
(We will strengthen it thoroughly because we are truly fighting for something. We need many allies, we need all the help. And that's where our so-called whole-of-government and whole-of-nation approach came from, because indeed, everyone needs to unite.)
“Kaya’t lagi kong pinapaalala sa tao ‘yung pagkakaisa na ating sinigaw noong kampanya, hindi po ‘yan slogan, katotohanan ‘yun. ‘Yun talaga ang magiging solusyon sa ating mga problema,” he added.
(That's why I always remind people about the unity we shouted during the campaign, that's not just a slogan, that's the truth. That will really be the solution to our problems.)
Among those who took their oath as new members of the PFP are: Representative Ferdinand Alexander A. Marcos, First District, Ilocos Norte; Governor Rogelio Neil P. Roque, Bukidnon; Governor Marilou H. Cayco, Batanes; Governor Christian M. Noveras, Aurora; Governor Hermogenes E. Ebdane Jr., Zambales; Governor Eduardo B. Gadiano, Occidental Mindoro; Governor Ricarte R. Padilla, Camarines Norte; Governor Edcel Greco B. Lagman, Albay; Governor Erico Aristotle C. Aumentado, Bohol; Governor Damian G. Mercado, Southern Leyte; Governor Imelda Q. Dimaporo, Lanao del Norte; Governor Dorothy M. Gonzaga, Davao de Oro; Governor Edwin I. Jubahib, Davao del Norte; Governor Arthur R. Defensor Jr., Iloilo; Governor Abdulraof A. Macacua, Maguindanao del Norte; Vice Governor Katherine C. Agapay, Laguna; Secretary Lope B. Santos III, Lead Convenor, National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC); Assistant Secretary Arlan M. Mangelen, Department of Agriculture; Girlie E. Amarillo, Officer-in-Charge, Office of the Deputy Director General-NAPC.
Senator Francis N. Tolentino, South Cotabato Governor and League of Provinces of the Philippines National President Reynaldo S. Tamayo, and NAPC Media Coordination Consultant Antonio Chavez were also present.
PFP officers who also attended the event include Thompson Lantion, Secretary General; Pablo Dario S. Ocampo, Secretary General; Atty. George S. Briones, General Counsel; Atty. Richard Brett S. Uy, Deputy General Counsel; Atty. Rico H. Alday, Deputy General Counsel; Edgardo A. Acaba, National Auditor; Atty. Lino E.A. Dumas, National Legal Officer; and Manuel D. Andal, Vice President for Political. (SunStar Philippines)