(Update) Surface of the Federal Republic of the Philippines Resolution


The Federal Republic of the Philippines – is it really in the horizon? It appears so now that the Senate issued the “Senate Joint Resolution No. 10” which proposes 1 Federal Administrative Region and 11 Federal States.

A total of 16 Senators approved SJR#10 which is a call “to convene the congress into a Constituent Assembly for the purpose of revising the Constitution to establish a Federal System of Government”.

Pimentel said the federalization of the republic is meant to accomplish two main goals: 1. Cause the speedy development of the entire country by unleashing the forces of competitiveness among the component federal states, and 2. Dissipate the causes of rebellion in the country, particularly in Mindanao.

More after the jump…

Follow up:

The SJR#10 was authored by Senator Aquilino Q. Pimentel and signed by:

  • Senate President Manny Villar
  • Senator Edgardo J. Angara
  • Senator Rodolfo G. Biazon
  • Senator “Companera” Pia S. Cayetano
  • Senator Juan Ponce Enrile
  • Senator Francis “Chiz” G. Escudero
  • Senator Jinggoy P. Ejercito-Estrada
  • Senator Gregorio B. Honasan II
  • Senator Panfilo M. Lacson
  • Senator Francis N. Pangilinan
  • Senator Ramon A. Revilla Jr.
  • Senator Juan Miguel F. Zubiri
  • Senator Manuel “Lito” M. Lapid
  • Senator Loren B. Legarda
  • Senator Benigno S. Aquino III

“The federal proposal will hopefully provide a just and lasting redress of the grievances of the powerless and the neglected sectors of society, like the Moro peoples of Mindanao,” the opposition senator said in a keynote address at the seminar on federalism hereunder the auspices of the UP Center for Local and Regional Governance/National College of Public Administration and Governance (UP CLRG/NCPAG) and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, Manila Southwoods, Golf Country Club, Carmona, Cavite.

This table shows us the States of the Federal Republic of the Philippines.

Name Provinces/Cities Capital
State of Northern Luzon Provinces of:

  • Ilocos Norter
  • Ilocos Sur
  • La Union
  • Pangasinan
  • Batanes
  • Cagayan
  • Isabela
  • Nueva Vizcaya
  • Quirino
  • Abra
  • Apayao
  • Benguet
  • Ifugao
  • Kalinga
  • Mountain Province
Tuguegarao City
State of Central Luzon Provinces of:

  • Aurora
  • Bataan
  • Bulacan
  • Nueva Ecija
  • Pampanga
  • Tarlace
  • Zambales

Other areas:

  • Scarborough Shoals
Tarlac City
State of Southern Tagalog Provinces of:

  • Rizal
  • Quezon
  • Laguna
  • Batangas
  • Cavite
Tagaytay City
State of Minparom Provinces of:

  • Mindoro Oriental
  • Mindoro Occidental
  • Palawan
  • Romblon
  • Marinduque

Other areas:

  • Kalayaan Islands (Spratlys)
Mamburao, Mindoro Occidental
State of Bicol Provinces of:

  • Albay
  • Camarines Norte
  • Camarines Sur
  • Catanduanes
  • Sorsogon
Legazpi City
State of Eastern Visayas Provinces of:

  • Biliran
  • Leyte
  • Southern Leyte
  • Northern Samar
  • Samar
  • Eastern Samar
Catbalogan City
State of Central Visayas Provinces of:

  • Masbate
  • Negros Oriental
  • Cebu
  • Bohol
  • Siquijor
Toledo City
State of Western Visayas Provinces of:

  • Aklan
  • Antique
  • Capiz
  • Guimaras
  • Iloilo
  • Negros Occidental
Iloilo City
State of Northern Mindanao Provinces of:

  • Zamboanga del Norte
  • Misamis Occidental
  • Camiguin
  • Misamis Oriental
  • Bukidnon
  • Agusan del Norte
  • Dinagat Island
  • Surigao del Norte
  • Lanao del Norte
  • Zamboanga del Sur
  • Zamboanga Sibugay
Cagayan de Oro City
State of Southern Mindanao Provinces of:

  • Agusan del Sur
  • Surigao del Sur
  • Compostela Valley
  • Davao
  • Davao Oriental
  • Davao del Sur
  • South Cotabato
  • Sarangani
  • Cotabato
  • Sultan Kudarat
Davao City
State of BangsaMoro Provinces of:

  • Lanao del Sur
  • Maguindanao
  • Shariff Kabunsuan
  • Basilan
  • Sulu
  • Tawi-Tawi
Marawi City
Federal Administrative Region
(FAR)
Cities of:

  • Manila
  • Quezon
  • Makati
  • Mandaluyong
  • Pasay
  • Pasig
  • Caloocan
  • Muntinlupa
  • Las Pinas
  • Paranaque
  • Malabon
  • Marikina
  • Taguig
  • Navotas
  • Valenzuela
  • Sna Juan

Municipality of:

  • Pateros
City of Manila

“The move to federalize the country is not simply a ‘political’ undertaking. It is also an economic effort. By creating 11 federal states and by converting Metro Manila as a federal administrative region, we immediately establish 12 centers of power, finance and development throughout the country,” Pimentel said.

In contrast, he said that under the existing unitary system that has characterized the government for centuries, the country had only one center of power, finance and development – Metro Manila.

Other important information:

  • The Senate will increase from 24 to 75 members. Six (6) Senators each from all the Eleven (11) States of the Federal Republic, and Nine (9) Senators representing the Filipino Citizens working or residing in foreign countries.

    (The Federal Administrative Region? I do not know. As far as my first pass of the SJR#10, I did not read anything about the FAR being able to vote for Senators. This might be a mis-calculation or it might be intentional, we still have to wait for news about it.)

  • There will be only 350 Seats for the House of Representatives which will be voted on a per District basis across the Federal Republic.
  • The President and Vice-President will be voted as a Team with:
    • 6 Years Term
    • 1 Re-Election
  • The Senators will have:
    • 6 Years Term
    • 2 Terms
  • Members of the House of Representatives will have:
    • 3 Years Term
    • 4 Terms
  • Executive Department office: FAR
  • Legislative Department office: Federal State of Central Visayas
  • Judicial Department office: Federal State of Northern Mindanao

In terms of allocating the resources of the Republic, Pimentel said a formula is provided in the resolution: 30 percent will go to the Federal Government and 70 percent to the component states. Of the 70 percent accruing to the states, 30 percent will go to the state governments and 70 percent to the provinces, cities, municipalities and barangays.

That’s the quick overview of the changes most of us Filipinos will care about. I am still writing my analysis of the proposal as a Filipino Citizen, where I will have more comments and possibly criticisms about it. (2008-08-17 SUN) I decided not to post my view and criticism of the SJR#10 as it seems to be falling apart now. I will instead wait for the next version of any Charter Change proposals that will be supported and acted upon.

You can also read the Press Release from Senator Pimentel.


Disclosure

My Political stance:

  • Form of Government: Federal / Federalism
  • Type of Government: Parliament / Parliamentary (UK version)
  • Economy System: Socialism – specifically Social Democracy (Social-Democrat)

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