Peace group warns vs use of federalism cause for political gain

By Jigger J. Jerusalem
Correspondent

A GROUP engaged in peace-building and social justice initiatives in Mindanao has reiterated its stand on the issue on federalism amid renewed efforts by lawmakers to amend the 1987 Constitution that would pave the way for a shift from unitary to federal form of government.

In a statement it posted on social media on Jan. 14, a repost of its original manifestation in 2018, Balay Mindanao Foundation Inc. (BMFI) said it remains open to “principled, frank and constructive dialogue and collaboration with Federalism advocates and movements,” although it warned of the conversion to federalism being exploited and manipulated by political leaders for their own gains.

“We continue to believe and hope that a shift to Federalism can indeed provide a structural and systemic opportunity for the Mindanaons and Filipinos in general to confront and correct the unjust skewed relationship between the center and the periphery, the rich and the poor, the powerful and the powerless,” the group said.

BMFI added that with a new form of decentralized government, it can “create and offer more spaces for the peoples and communities to empower themselves politically, economically and culturally. However, we express alarm over the proposed substance and mode of Charter Change favored by both the Legislative and Executive.”

In previous statements, this city’s 2nd District Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, chairman of the constitutional amendments, has expressed optimism that the proposed Constitutional amendments will be passed in both Houses of Congress within the year.

Among the proposals was for the creation of nine federated regions, with three senators to be elected per region.

Aside from the shift to federalism, other proposed amendments include the lifting of the economic provisions limiting the foreign ownership of corporations, the tandem voting for President and Vice President, and the extension of terms of elected officials from three to five years.

For its part, BMFI said a constituent assembly (Con-Ass), composed of members of both the Lower House and Senate, is not a democratic mode of changing the Constitution.

“It [Con-Ass] denies genuine people’s participation. It is vulnerable to manipulation and exploitation by vested interest groups, especially by traditional politicians,” it added.

The group has also expressed alarm over the most prominent proposals as both promote consolidation of powers into a strong president which may open the doors to the rise of another dictatorship.

BMFI is apprehensive over the proposed transitory provisions that propose, among others, the postponement of elections and term extension of the current elected officials.

“We call for more spaces allowing genuine dialogue and maximum participation of peoples and communities in the constitution writing and state building,” it said, adding that the promise of subsidiarity, solidarity and democracy under a federal setup is best attained and nurtured through and by democratic processes.