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FEDERALISM will redistribute power and equalize growth in the
country; it will make for a stronger Philippines, says Sen. Aquilino
Pimentel, principal author of Senate Resolution No. 10. A federal
form of government will divide the country and create 11 fiefdoms,
warns Sen. Joker Arroyo. So begins the debate on federalism, a
system popular in many continents but a question mark in these 7,000
islands.
The debate is useful so that we, the blind men,
can figure out what this strange animal looks like. The system must
be fine because it works well in countries like the United States.
On the other hand, it could be, in the case of Italy, a
destabilizing force.
Many Filipinos ask why the resolution creates 11
federal states and the bases for the groupings. Pimentel and 12
other senators seek to create four federal states in Luzon, four in
the Visayas and three in Mindanao. Metro Manila remains the
administrative region.
The curious ones say they thought the
acronym-themed regions that began in the Ramos years would have
served the purpose for administrative grouping. For years, they have
been used to reading about the Mimaropa (Mindoro-Marinduque-Romblon-Palawan)
region. The economy is moving well in the Calabarzon (Cavite-Laguna-Batangas-Rizal-Quezon)
jurisdiction. Down south, the Socsksargen (South Cotabato-Sultan
Kudarat-Saranggani-Gen. Santos) region has preoccupied the National
Economic and Development Authority planners as have Caraga or Region
3.
Besides, there are other ways to spread growth
and decentralize power among the regions. One is to transfer the
national capital from Manila to northern Luzon, the Visayas or
Mindanao. Transferring the capital would provide tremendous impetus
for growth in the new seat of government. It would also decongest
Metro Manila.
Since President Arroyo loves Baguio so much, the
government could move to the Pine City. An alternative, and also
close to her heart, is the Metro Angeles Region that includes the
Subic-Clark axis. In the Visayas, what could be a better site than
Cebu City? The cities of Davao, Zamboanga and Gen. Santos in
Mindanao could compete for the honor.
The Palace is reportedly cold toward Resolution
10 because President Arroyo has other growth regions in mind. In her
State of the Nation Address last year, she identified seven growth
centers that would become hubs of investment, modernization and
jobs. They include a Tourism Belt, an Information-Technology Region
and an Infrastructure Zone. The 11 federal states will draw
attention away from her priorities.
While Resolution 10 seeks to integrate provinces
and subregions for greater strength, it also provides that a state
may opt to dissolve itself, secede or separate itself from the union
through a plebiscite and a two-thirds vote of the Senate. So soon?
We know several provinces that think they are better off as
independent republics. Cebu is one. The Autonomous Region in Muslim
Mindanao provinces and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front are trying
hard to become a sovereign Bangsamoro.
Federalism is in trouble when a federal state
asks for an area or country code, promotes its own flag, language
and anthem. Building an international airport is fine, but issuing
its own passport is a no-no. That’s a step away from conducting
foreign policy.
Pining for the old club
THE election of officers and directors of the
National Press Club today stirs pleasant memories and favorite
anecdotes about more interesting times.
We remember the time when martial-law prisoner
Satur Ocampo made an election an excuse to visit the NPC building
and losing his escorts through the fourth-floor stairs few outsiders
knew existed.
The tight contest between Joe Capadocia and Fred
Gabot that ended past midnight that had Gabot winning by a single
vote. Nine-hundred members went home that morning believing it was
their vote that made the difference.
Celo Lagmay running unopposed twice. He served
five terms.
Tony Zumel playing the recorder with the choral
group. Tony swimming across the Pasig with another inebriated
competitor. Joan Orendain on the piano for the singing Nelly
Sindayen, Tony Seva and Roy Acosta.
The piano taken out of the building for tuning
and never returned. Same thing for the new air-conditioning unit
that went out for repairs. The elevator that took rests between
floors. The only news forum in town was “Meet the Press.”
Celebrity Nights were SRO affairs.
The zany Gridiron skits that had the politicians
and bureaucrats worried they might get lampooned by amateur actors.
The Giron brothers acting and dancing. In one, Zip Roxas read “The
Sermon on the Amount.”
Most of all, we remember the camaraderie and the
friendships, the Sunday volunteer lunch, and the great romances.
Members were from the working press, professionals like Dik Pascual
and Ernie Granada. God had not created the hao shiaos.
We remember the fine restaurant and bar where
members proudly hosted out-of-town friends, especially foreigners.
President Sukarno and Prince Norodom, among others, visited the
club. An invitation was a summon to a pleasant evening. Public
servants and businessmen dropped by for food, drinks or poker.
Corned beef was the “national food” for members.
Most of the members have the old NPC, the good
old days, in mind when they cast their vote today. The press may
dictate the national agenda but in its own backyard, it is a
handwringer.
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