What have they done to empower their constituents?

Manny Valdehuesa .

ONCE again, let’s be reminded that if you want to go federal, institutionalize local autonomy first. It would be the proper and effective way to establish a federal system. To force-feed it on our society is not the way to go, not only because it is undemocratic and a betrayal of public trust, it is proof positive that it’s the traditional politicos and others with vested interests who are clamoring for it—not the people!

Although it has been around for decades, local autonomy remains a pipe-dream of true democrats in our society. Can the federalism advocates point out where people are ready for the federal system?

If it is adopted, can they and the trapos assure us that they will not ride on the new system which they are crafting even now to fit their desires? Fat chance!

Why would they engage in a vigorous campaign to have it adopted if not to keep themselves and their dynasties in power”? And gain more power!

Check out your barangay neighbors. Are they clamoring to junk the unitary/presidential system and replace it with the federal system?

Check out also the well-funded and vociferous campaigners for federalism in your barangay and in others; never mind their paid minions. Are any professionals in your community—lawyers, teachers, doctors, civil society, and independent institutions—enthusiastic about federalism?

How about the congressmen, even senators, and other high officials who live in your barangay. Have they ever affirmed their claim or belief in local autonomy by being active participants in your community’s governance? Do they attend your Barangay Assembly and dignify its role by being present?

On the need to make your barangay progressive, do they help craft its local development plan, offering their ideas or contributions?

Congressmen are ex-officio members of the Barangay Development Council of their community of residence. Do they ever accord recognition to its role in promoting local economic, social, and cultural development? What if any have they contributed in terms of ideas, technology, or education?

In other local bodies, the law requires the congressman or his representative to be active participants, or to designate a representative if unable to attend?

The fact is, such highfalutin officials are habitual absentees from the local scene. They are notorious for simply ignoring whatever activities take place in their own barangay—unless of course they are being conferred recognition plaques or awards to boost their egos.

In other words, such high officials don’t give a hoot about local autonomy, local development, or local progress—which are essential for the federal system. And they have the effrontery to, like quack doctors, prescribe the medicine of federalism for the ills of our society?

Like their clueless minions and misguided neighbors (constituents) they can’t even tend to the relatively simple requirements or processes of their barangay’s governance. So in thought and in deed, they are unfit to advocate for a new system that that must be anchored on the spirit and practice of autonomy.

It’s pathetic how they merely grandstand to win votes and pork-barrel allocations, while tolerating the ignorance and incapacity of their constituents to govern their little community.

Ask them one question: What have they done to empower their own community and the rest of the barangays, such that the residents and officials can then apply the Principle of Subsidiarity in course of developmental/governmental operations? This principle requires that anything that can be done by a lower level must not be done by the higher level.

In other words, let the barangay, its officials and residents, secure their own community’s welfare, convenience, and progress while the municipal, provincial, and national governments take care of the rest.

(Manny Valdehuesa Jr. is a former Unesco regional director for Asia-Pacific; secretary-general, Southeast Asia Publishers Association; director, Development Academy of Philippines; member, Philippine Mission to the UN; vice chair, Local Government Academy; awardee, PPI-Unicef outstanding columnist. He is chairman/convenor of the Gising Barangay Movement Inc.. E-mail: valdehuesa@gmail.com)