To end Mindanao upheavals: Empower regions,
facilitate transition to federalism--Angara

"The time is ripe for change."

Senator Edgardo Angara today said that the overly centralized bureaucratic system in the country cultivates suppression and subsequent rebellion particularly in Mindanao, but warned that hastily adopting a federal government will not solve this problem.

Instead, the Senator suggested a transition period with a system of autonomous regions to prepare the country for federalism.

Muslim Struggle

Citing the history of Muslim struggle in the Philippines, Senator Angara explained that the centralized governance in the country dating back to Spanish colonial rule has fostered resentment for people in Mindanao, as their culture has not been respected, and their aspirations has never been completely honored.

"But we've now reached a key development in the history of upheavals in Mindanao - by recognizing the two laws on the autonomy of the region, our Muslim brothers have muted their secessionist option and agreed to work within the framework of the Republic of the Philippines," pointed out Senator Angara

According to Senator Angara, this willingness to cooperate with the Philippine government and stay as part of the Philippines should be fostered by empowering the Muslims to pursue their own development and distinct culture.

Angara was one of the senators that pushed for the passage of the bill creating the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

"But despite the passage of the ARMM bill and its subsequent amendment, the aspirations of our Muslim brothers for autonomy in running their affairs have not been fully satisfied," the senator and former chair of the Senate Committee on Peace, Unification & Reconciliation said.

"For instance, a provincial governor planning to embark on a tourism and investment mission to another country will need permission from the Malacanang and the Department of Interior and Local Government first. That's an outdated and nonsensical practice," said Senator Angara.

This overly centralized set up, according to Senator Angara, impedes motivation for growth in the country.

More than just paper autonomy

Senator Angara in an interpolation with Senator Aquilino Pimentel Jr., recognized that federalism may be the best means to fully satisfy the aspirations of the Muslim people for self-autonomy.

"More than just paper autonomy, our brothers in Mindanao, as well as in all of our regions, should have autonomy in implementation," the senator said.

The senator however warned that hastily embarking on a federal government will cause more problems than it will solve, especially if the poorer regions in the country are not prepared for this kind of set up.

"In a federal government, each state or region has its separate judiciary, police and security system, health system, etc. Richer regions such as the National Capital Region and Regions I and IV may be able to thrive in this system, but the poorer regions, such as the ARMM and CARAGA, may not," explained the Senator.

Instead, Senator Angara suggested a transition period with a system of autonomous regions before embarking on a full-blown federal government.

Citing the Spain model, Senator Angara asserted that, if properly implemented, federalism can be a boon for a country.

"Spain during the time of Francisco Franco experienced a national upheaval similar to what we're experiencing today. During that time of totalitarian rule, Andulasians, Catalans, and other Spanish tribes were suppressed, and did not participate in governance. But after Franco's death, Spain adapted first a system of autonomous regions to prepare the country to federalism," explained Senator Angara.

"In just one generation, Spain bloomed and blossomed from being one of the poorest countries in Europe, to one of its richest. Each region competes for tourism and investment because they have the authority to do it on their own," said Senator Angara.

"We can do something similar in the Philippines. In the long run, our goal will be to have a federal government, but in the medium term, we should focus on empowering autonomous regions first. That could be a transitional arrangement before we can graduate into a federal state," Senator Angara said.

"Setting up a federal government takes time. Structures should be put up, powers should be defined, and boundaries should be negotiated," Senator Angara elucidated.

"That's why we need to have a transition period first -- to avoid immediately breaking up the country only to fail even more miserably," said Senator Angara.