Reviving federalism

THE incoming president of the Philippines ran under the banner of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas. Advancing the evolution of Philippine politics demands of him serious attention to the proposal that the country be reconfigured into a federal republic. It is not right to bear the name of a party, to be its head, and be non-committal in respect of its mission and goals.

True, his personal charism as well as the sentimental attachment of the 30 million who voted for him to the Marcos family name may have been crucial factors, but it behooves him to do his part towards nudging Philippine democracy away from populism to the postulation of principles and their contestation.