Federalism to weaken cause of corruption: political analyst

Under federal system, Casiple said the budget of the 18 federated regions are no longer dependent on the President, reducing the patronage system. (PNA photo)

MANILA – The proposed federal form of government will weaken patronage system considered as one of the causes of corruption in the country, a political analyst said on Wednesday.

In a federalism media forum held at the Parañaque City hall, Institute for Political and Electoral Reforms executive director Ramon Casiple said corruption is a big problem under the present unitary form of government due to patronage system.

“Under unitary system, the problem of corruption is stronger. Why? Because of patronage system. How to maintain the loyalty down the line? You have to give a share. The problem of corruption is rampant,” Casiple said.

Under federal system, Casiple said the budget of the 18 federated regions are no longer dependent on the President, reducing the patronage system.

“It would mean each level of government will be given opportunity to stand on their own. The reliance on patronage will weaken. It’s no longer a matter of life and death,” he said.

Unlike the present system where the voices of the people are hardly heard, Casiple said federalism will give the people of each region a chance to be heard as it will decentralize the power of national government to the regions.

“Under federal system, the people know better their leaders because they are close to their (federated) government. It would be easier for them to launch campaign against corruption,” Casiple said.

Susan Ordinario, member of the Consultative Committee (ConCom) tasked by President Rodrigo Duterte to review the 1987 Constitution and prepared the federal charter, said resolution of corruption and other cases will now move fast due to stronger judiciary system under the proposed federalism.

“What we did under new system, every region will have now an Ombudsman, every region will have its own Civil Service. The courts will be strengthened. The Court of Appeals will now be present in every region. So, all cases will now move fast,” Ordinario said.

Eddie Alih, another ConCom member, appealed to Filipinos, including politicians, to make sacrifices and give federalism a chance under the present Duterte administration.

“Let us all sacrifice for this country, for the sake of our beloved nation and our people. Now is the time to change the system of our government,” Alih said.

Alih, together with Casiple and Ordinario, is hoping the shift of government will happen before Duterte’s presidency ends in 2022.

“Let’s change the system of government now within the term of President Duterte. Why? Because President Duterte has a political will and despite the opposition, Duterte remains popular,” he added.

Parañaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez, meanwhile, assured the support of Parañaque residents for Duterte’s campaign to shift the form of government to federalism.

“We have a clear picture of what federalism is all about. Let us thrive to learn how our country can shift to a new political system with as little difficulty as possible for everyone,” Olivarez said.

“Let us keep an open eye, let us keep an open mind, let us keep an open heart. We must not be afraid of new things of change and we must trust the wisdom of our good President who I’m sure are all in the best interest of Filipino people in pushing to shift to a federal form of government,” he added.

Aside from federalism media forum, Olivarez will host the federalism sectoral consultation set to be held by the Department of the Interior and Local Government in cooperation with the Philippine Information Agency and ConCom on Thursday at the Parañaque Sports Complex.

The federalism media forum has formally kicked off a two-round of federalism roadshows slated for National Capital Region with the theme:”Pederalismo Para sa Tunay na Pagbabago”.