Federalism vs unitary on wealth imbalance

Now that former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (GMA) has been elected as Speaker of the House, many people in Facebook chose to vilify her for her “Hello Garci” incident and that she was corrupt when she was President. Unfortunately for many people in the social media tend to remember the negatives of GMA without looking at today’s reality. For instance, that Hello Garci caper was clearly released by people who wanted to get rid of her through perhaps another People’s Power incident.

Fortunately that did not happen. If you want to know, politicos calling Comelec officials have been happening in this country, but only GMA was publicly vilified for it. But I do know of so many politicos who even call Comelec Chairman for this or for that. Just ask yourself, where is former Comelec Chairman Andres Bautista… and why he made so much money when he was Comelec Chief? Now wasn’t he dealing with our local and national politicians? I rest my case. Meanwhile, I have a letter responding to the article we wrote about Federalism. Here it is in full.

“Dear Bobit: Your column yesterday on how being a Federal State enabled the State of California to enact its own Automotive Laws which became a “ worldwide phenomenon” helps ordinary Filipinos better understand the mechanics of Federalism which we support.

However, also worth mentioning are the points brought out in Andrew Masigan’s column, “Caution on Federalism” Business World” July 23. He writes” Studies show only 5 of our 17 regions have the Infrastructure, Industries and Institutions to support themselves without subsidies from Natl govt. these are Calabarzon, Central Luzon, Central Visayas, Davao Region and NCR. The remaining 12 are not.” “The ARMM derives 98% of their revenues from their share  of natl tax collections and other subsidies received from the Natl govt, only 2% of their income is self generated through real property taxes, tax on businesses and regulatory fees among others.” 

He ends by saying “Federalism has many advantages, not the least of who allows regions to tailor fit their laws to what is most important and meaningful for them. It allows them to build specialized  industries without remitting the lion’s share of it to the Natl govt. Certainly it is worth pursuing, but again we must Prepare for it.”

“Govt must first provide the appropriate infrastructure in the Countryside for industries to thrive, local govts must deliver basic services like Education, Healthcare, Housing with relative Efficiency. Local govts must be capable of Maintaining  Peace and Order and install credible Justice System, more importantly, industries must be made to flourish as to raise revenues to a point of self sufficiency. Without these basics, the Federal State will fail.

We need not look far, the ARMM and CAR were given autonomy on many aspects of governance, yet have little to show for it”

“Experts estimate it will take P2.91 trillion to make the shift to a Federal Govt, this 2.91 trillion we do not have and will have to be funded by debt.” “Members of Pres Duterte’s Cabinet have advised him not to rush the process of Federalism. They have valid reasons” I took pains to quote to you, what to me are the most important points. The need for Govt to Prepare, and put support mechanisms in place.

You are among those in the best position to raise awareness and sufficient preparation through your TV/ Radio Program, your widely read column and most of all through your FB and other Socmed accounts aside from your active membership in various organizations. You can  organize various fora for this purpose.

On another note, PLEASE, for the nth time reprise your column “ Cebuanos are NOT Cheaters! “as delusional Poe is going around in media interviews fomenting hatred for new Speaker GMA saying her father was cheated and that she has a hidden agenda in pushing for Federalism, before we know it, she  ( GMA) will be PM or someone close to Power. That column clearly shows why her FPJ could never have won the Presidency!I am not on FB that is why im asking you to please do it as Grace Poe is perpetuating Lies upon Lies in her blind hatred for Speaker GMA.Enough is enough. Let the  Truth come out, and yes, take it up on your show. Thank you.Best Always,
Mayette”

Thanks for this letter Mayette, I already told Sen. Grace Poe on the Cebu situation before the 2016 elections and hopefully she understood that Cebuanos do not lie. Let me emphasize to our readers that the articles that say that only a few cities have the advantage of becoming Federal, while the rest are lacking is so many things. This is true and the reason for that is crystal clear… thanks to our Unitary form of governance for that fiscal and unfair imbalance in wealth distribution which is why we want Federalism!

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