SHIFTING to a federal form of governance will not work unless the reign of political dynasties ends, a development worker who is seeking the position of First District representative in Davao City said.
Maria Victoria “Mags” Maglana said during the "Ikaw Na Ba? Local Candidates Interview" of dxGM Super Radyo Davao on Monday, February 21, 2022, that she is an advocate for the shift of governance in the country.
The candidate said she would also support any change in the country's political system, even if this would require charter change, for as long as it will not affect the country's natural resources and sovereignty in favor of foreign nations.
She said this would not work if members of the same family would still be occupying elected positions.
"Usa ko ka-advocate sa federalism. Nagatuo ko sa pederalismo pero ang pederalismo nga gusto nako suportahan kanang tinud-anay na pederalismo. Dili pwedeng federalism nga ang makapabor kay mga political dynasties," Maglana said.
(I am an advocate of federalism. I believe in it, but I will only support the real cause of federalism. Not in federalism that would benefit political dynasty.)
She added, "Kay murag ato lang nang gitunga-tunga ang Pilipinas, atong gibuak-buak nato para ipanghatag sa mga nagkupot sa pulitikanhong gahum."
(Because it’s like you’re dividing the Philippines and allocate a portion of localities for those seeking political power.)
Maglana said federalism will not work without any law prohibiting anti-dynasty, which she said has not been enacted into law.
"Ang federalism dili na mag-work kung walay anti-Dynasty Law. Dili pud na mag-work with FOI [freedom of information] Act. Dili sab na siya mag-work [FOI] kung walay reform sa atong gamhanan,” she said.
(Federalism won’t work without the Anti-Dynasty Law. It won't work without FOI. FOI, on the other hand, won’t also work if there would be no government reforms.)
Addressing the problem of political dynasties is important to allow others the opportunity to serve the public, the candidate said.
She cited Section 26 of Article 2 of the 1987 Constitution, which says the “State shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service, and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law.”
Ending dynasty, however, will still be dependent on the voters, she said.
Maglana is running against incumbent First District Representative and presidential son Paolo Duterte, along with businessman Jamal Ranon Kanan, and Jovanie Cadao Mantawel.
She said she decided to run for the voters to have other choices.
Prior to her candidacy, Maglana had been serving local governments and communities through capacity building, technical assistance, direct support and has been involved in policy development and advocacy work to pass responsive legislation at the local, regional, and national level.
President Rodrigo Duterte, during his campaign, promised to push for a federal form of government in the country.
The President promised to redistribute power and wealth to the rural areas through the adoption of federalism. He also had advanced federalism as a solution to the Moro conflict, insisting in a campaign promise that "nothing short will bring peace to Mindanao.
However, in December 2021, during his Talk to the Nation address, Duterte admitted that he failed to push a federal system of government in the country.