ConCom member underscores need for structural reform

DAVAO CITY – A member of the panel that drafted the proposed federal constitution has emphasized the need for a structural change in the country's system of government, highlighting its advantages especially to Mindanao.

Consultative Committee (ConCom) member Antonio Arellano said that "if we do not solve structural problem, armed conflict will continue to be a major obstacle to the development of Mindanao and the development of the entire country".

Arellano noted that Mindanao is where 60 percent of the New People’s Army (NPA) is located. Mindanao, he pointed out, is also home to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), and other armed groups--including ISIS-inspired terror organizations.

Arellano said federalism remains a viable option to effectively address the aspiration of different groups for self-governance, in particular the Bangsamoro in Mindanao.

“It is long overdue, our people cannot wait longer. Remember we still have a violent armed conflict in Mindanao,” Arellano told reporters in a press conference on the sidelines of the “Pakighinabi: Usapang Pederalismo” organized by the Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU) on Thursday afternoon.

Arellano and fellow Concom member Wendell Adrian Tamayo were the resource speakers during the Forum on Federalism to explain the intricacies and implications of the proposed new charter.

AdDU organizers said the forum provides the public an open space,  where they can give their voice on the issue and weigh the pros and cons of a federated Philippines.

Arellano explained that the Philippine model of federalism is a “Bayanihan federalism” under a single state--not about changing or creating new states but only introducing a new government structure where there is better distribution of powers.

Arellano said that all constitutions--from Biak na Bato revolutionary government to the 1987 Constitution--the structure of government is centralized wherein making laws, enforcing laws, and adjudicating legal disputes are central to three major branches of government:  legislative, executive, and the judiciary.

This set-up, he said, can easily be exploited so that government powers are used to favor certain areas of the country and certain families.

“We need to put an end to that kind of culture. Come up with sharing of resources and sharing of powers. Kung saan ang sistema malapit sa tao, doon mo ibigay ang power (You give powers to wherever it is accessible to the people),” he said.

The draft Constitution, Arellano clarified, has not been endorsed yet to Congress.

He said ConCom members are moving around the country to explain the draft Federal Constitution and gain the support of the public.

“Eventually, what the President will be doing is submit the draft to them (lawmakers), let them discuss it in Congress and eventually decide what kind of draft do they want to be presented to the people,” Arellano said.

Arellano urged the media and the youth to help inform the people and help them decide on the proposal to shift to federal government or continue with the current unitary system of government.

“This your future. Your future depends largely with this document (draft Constitution), this is our fundamental law,” he said. (Lilian C. Mellejor/PNA)