ManilaTimes-Aug 25
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday said the Philippines has taken the “first step” toward a federal form of government that would make the country’s political structure “more stable.” In his speech during the oath-taking ceremony of new members of his political party, Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) in Malacañang, the President said the seemingly federal setup will continue by bringing more power centers to other parts of the country. “That is very simple. That derives from a very simple idea that the stability of a political structure is much more reliable when we have many power centers. If the power centers only belong here in Manila, then pabagsakin mo ‘yung Manila, bagsak ang buong Pilipinas (if Manila falls, the entire Philippines would fall),” Marcos told his party mates. “But with the power centers being given to the local governments, to the local districts, and to those operating at the local level and thereby bringing those power centers to many, many places, it makes for a more stable political structure and makes a more stable political life,” he said. “What we are talking about here is federalism…So we are doing the first step of the federal government for the Philippines, in all but name,” he said. The Philippines has a unitary form of government, with “imperial” Manila as the seat of power and authority. Under a federal government, power is divided between the central government and local state governments. A federal system also allows each state to craft its own laws, finances, development plans, health, education and infrastructure. Read more at: https://www.manilatimes.net/2023/08/25/news/marcos-pitches-for-federalism/1906820
