We Do Have a Large Problem with Congress, But Federalism is Not the Answer

     I agree with a lot of what Greco Belgica does and says, but I don't agree to a federal solution. I still believe we are not a culture and a nation ready for federalism. Our leaders and our people will still find a way to defile lofty ideals and structures.

    A federal form of government will benefit us when our people, right down to the lowest levels of governance, learn to become critical thinkers--not mere benefactors and beneficiaries of patronage/transactional politics.

    I say this because a federal form of government will give more powers to local governments. Look at how lawmakers and contractors in Bicol plundered our national budget. Give corrupt local leaders more powers and autonomy over the budget and over the execution of projects, couple that with a mass of electorate who do not question leaders as long as they are given free rice and ham, and you will have a government running wild with all sorts of flood control and other construction projects.

    I do agree that we have a massive problem with the Philippine Congress, but federalism is not a fix. It might even exacerbate the problem because local leaders will have more freedom to rule over their federal government units without oversight and criticism from Filipinos elsewhere in the country.

    Just think of the damage that Bicol politicians have done in recent years. Without a national outcry, without interest, exposes, and investigative journalism from nationwide media outlets, we would still have one of our lawmakers freely enjoying his wealth with impunity, instead of him hiding and wasting away in a foreign land.

    So keep going Mr. Belgica. I’m just still unconvinced with a federal form of government. The same is true for a shift to a parliamentary form of government.

    The problem is not the structure of government, the problem is who holds power within it.