The Philippines Biggest Reform: Federalist Government

Could federalism be the key to solving the Philippines' political and economic challenges? Learn about the potential benefits and drawbacks of this system.

Narrated by Tom McKay
Video Edited by iyanbriandi

Timestamp(s):
0:00 Introduction
1:16 Background
1:55 Federalism History
2:48 Current Political System
4:10 Arguments For Federalism
6:00 Arguments Against
8:26 Lessons & Conclusion

Brought to you by the Behind Asian Team.

[BehindAsia]

Could federalism help address issues such as poverty, corruption, and inequality, or will it exacerbate existing problems like corruption and regional disparities? Let us know down below!

[llyyydd_]

Federalism isn't enough. We need also parliamentary system to promote efficiency, transparency and accountability of public servants as well as free market policies such as allowing more FDIs, improve ease of doing business, and deletion of those economic protectionist clauses.

#YesToConstitutionalReform

[florenzryansotelo]

The first opportunity of Federalism in the Philippines around 1898, when the first republic was just being formed. The Federal States of Bisaya wrote to Gen Emilio Aguinaldo of their intention to join the State of Katagalogan as a separate state. However, Aguinaldo proceeded to create a centralized government. This led to the Philippines first republic’s demise due to the governments centralized nature when he was captured by the Americans.

[YapsiePresents]

As long as the Philippines is in the influence of oligarchs turned politicians, the people wouldn't feel any improvement in their lives, whatever government it is as every legislation that could pass will always heavily be in their and their family's favor.

[ZokThan]

When a law on federalism was proposed, some traditional politicians like Lacson immediately opposed it.
He even said that he would throw the law into the West Philippine Sea.
We all know that he plans to run for president,
and that's why he did that. Now, the people have
judged him and he has been cast aside and
rejected by the electorate in the elections.

[hikashia.halfiah]

Indonesia also has some voice for federalism. If PH go ahead with federalism, we could learn a lot from it, with how similar ID and PH are.

[cellinelim]

Best wishes from Indonesia for the Philippines..

[zkmidnight]

Federal parliamentary + free market is what the philippines needs. I'm from Manila, but if you look at it, only Metro Manila gets rich using the money/tax of other regions while other regions are left behind, and their locals are forced to go to Manila because the opportunity in their region is not equal compared to Manila. Somehow, it's interesting to know and learn from different news outlet that other places in the Visayas and Mindanao have caught up when it comes to infrastructure development. one day, people from other regions won't need to venture to metro manila just to get equal opportunities and services similar to what Metro Manila residents enjoy.

[monkeydog]

Federalist systems is absolutely amazing...


For non-corrupt countries. When the country is corrupt it actually makes it worst.

[patrickpahilanga]

Federalism would significantly benefit the Philippines because it is an archipelago nation, which means that each region will be aware of its own problems and will therefore be given a far larger budget in order to address them.

[Stefanr]

Ayo Philippines...kita maju bersama...💪💪💪🤝🤝🤝🇮🇩❤🇵🇭

[rogeliocarino]

It is not hard for the Filipino people to adapt to federal system because we have been a federal system before the Spaniards came. Every barangay then were self governing and independent to one another. It was destroyed by the Spaniards for the purpose of solidifying their power and influence in the whole archipelago. Thus the centralized system emerge where the development and seat of power were concentrated only in the Metropolitan Manila. As a result the provinces were left behind in terms of economic and political development, thereby creating a scenario of urban migration and economic degradation of the whole nation.

[loreleifajardo]

How can we be a federal government when the law makers ie senators don't want it? Because they would be dissolved. No more corruption i guess.

[PH-Aguirre.JVLOG]

🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Hope federalism will implement

[lzrojan]

Yes for Federalism + 100%Fdi + Parliamentary for Philippines

[cruuguy]

What the PH needs is increased patriotism, and love for the country. If you love your country, you will do everything (legally of course) to help it move forward. yet here we are, divided over political groups, and politicians, destroying one another. If only the people could unite on one stand, we could have been better.

[greatmaranga]

I understand that some of the provinces in the Philippines are still not ready for federalism due to the lack of capacity and income to govern its local units as sited in the disadvantages of federalism. I would suggest to have a hybrid provision/s in the constitution to pave way the requisites as to can form a federal state and for dues are still under the central government. In this way the central government can determine what assistance the latter can extend to the developing federal state.

[Vulkrein]

A bit late into the mix but the only concern i have for an immediate transition, emphasis on immediate, into federalism is that it might make the political dynasties more polarizing than it already is. Although even without federalism the pol dys' are already kinda doing what they're doing without much stopping them but, the possibility of a complete monopoly of a family on a particular region is quite scary to think of compared to the now which might be the same, but atleast not yet legalized on paper.

Overall I think federalism is still the way to go, it might just be better to slowly transition into it and straighten out the kinks first instead of going gung ho into it.

[mmmiiiggggggyyy]

One of the problems that a federalist type of government has is, as mentioned in this video, the disparity of income and resources for the to-be-established federal states. There will be regions or states that would greatly benefit from this, but the rest are surely going to drown and will have to rely heavily on subsidies from other states or from the federal government, like how California and Texas are subsidizing basically the entire United States as the other states are unable to generate as much income as these two juggernauts.

[sheskalim]

this is the problem of a unitary territorial structural system. lahat naka focus sa NCR at malaki yung budget na allocate para doon. Lahat ng mga developments, businesses, media, central governments, etc. nandoon sa NCR.
the primary goal of federalism is to distribute wealth across the country. Regional governments will now have the autonomy to govern their state and its people. Laws will be legislatedregional that could satisfy the needs of its citizen. It is also a form of respect for the region's cultures.
Parliamentary systems and openness to FDI are also necessary to greatly fuel the federated regions.