Will a change in
the form of government from presidential to federal solve the Mindanao problem?
A close aide of
Nur Misuari, Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founding chairman, believes
that the resolution of the decades-old armed conflict in Muslim Mindanao and
the demand of the Bangsamoro people for self-governance lies in the adoption of
a federal system.
Haji Gapul
Hadjirul, political director of the Misuari-led MNLF, argues that the federal
system would do away with the current overcentralization of power in Manila and give the regions real
autonomy.
Hadjirul says
that under a federal set-up, the island provinces can be one state, the Lanao
provinces can be another, while the Maguindanao and Socksargen areas can also
be separate states.
The shift to
federalism is also being pushed by Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, as well as
by former Chief Justice Reynato Puno and former Sen. Aquilino "Nene"
Pimentel Jr.
Bu the shift to
a new form of government will not be easy sailing for its proponents. In the first place, it
would entail amending the 1987
Constitution, whether through a constitutional assembly or a constitutional
convention. There's still contentious debate on what form Cha-ha should take.
Besides, the
federal system may be able to give real powers to the regions that will be
reclassified as states, but will it be able to check the dominance of political
dynasties in certain areas of the country?
What form of
government should be adopted should be carefully studied as we simply cannot
plunge headlong and adopt a system that may not be in accord with the real
needs of our people, our historical experience and even our culture and traditions.
In the end, our
people will have to decide which form of government or combination of forms can
best reduce poverty, fight corruption and sustain economic growth.-End-
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