Pass the torch

By Renato Tibon

“Good governance does not depend on the governor alone but also on the governed.”  – Atty. Aquilino “Nene” Q. Pimentel, former Philippine Senate President, a stalwart of Federalism

ALMOST two weeks have gone by since the passing of the man considered by many as the father of local government autonomy, a stalwart of federalism, and one would wish he could hear all those tributes and praises heaped upon him by former colleagues in Congress, by government leaders and close friends in politics and even by those who opposed his ideas and advocacies.

There were paeans for his patriotism, integrity and achievements and yet they mentioned his work on local government only with casual and desultory interest. Perhaps, when he was still alive he could have heard some echoing his stand as a staunch proponent of Filipino empowerment and championing a functional democracy but only by way of introducing him as a resource speaker. If they had the heart and strong conviction like him, their central message, that he envisaged a Federal Republic of the Philippines, would have reverberated even today and mightily pleased the man wherever the Almighty reposed him now.

I am quite sure as a principled leader who captured early on in his political career the ideals of good governance, the very essence of what he lived, stood and fought for all his life, he would have wished for people to consider his concept on federalism rather than sticking on a tired and dysfunctional unitary system which perpetuated political patronage and corruption.

A political maverick gifted with a strong and perceptive mind and able to articulate his thoughts even as he was struggling with breath and a raspy throat in his sunset years, he spoke with determination and confidence about how the Local Government Code, a landmark legislation which he authored, empowered people. According to him, “many of the cities which were basically unheard of before are now modern and developed.”

A grateful nation would have carried on his legacy and wish that a progeny of his, from his family or party, PDP-Laban pass on the torch to keep the fire burning and light the path until his advocacy for full autonomy under a Federal system would come to fruition and reality.

The Advocacy

What is it with Federalism that Senator Nene Pimentel was so certain about that others only treat cursorily and even with disdain?

In a Senate hearing on charter change, a former Supreme Court chief justice was quoted as saying that “a shift to federalism is a lethal experiment, a fatal leap, a plunge to death and a leap to hell.’ My first reaction was that of dismay as I admired him as an erudite and respectable presiding judge during the impeachment trial of former President Erap Estrada. How could he say it’s a leap to hell like others have gone to that place and survived to narrate their experience?

“Federalism, my foot!” I heard some say spitting venom like they are so certain it won’t work in the country because of their mere say-so. But the good senator — may his political legacy live on forever — had this to say: “Federalism, and the more equitable distribution of powers to the country’s regions, is the key to national progress that everybody has been yearning for in the Philippines.” He went to say that “power has been so concentrated in Metro Manila that the regional or local governments have been paralyzed into being so dependent on the central government even in matters affecting them directly.” I’d wish they could argue those issues directly, “in-your-face,” when he was still alive for however they praise or criticize him now will just ring hollow and pointless.      

A portion of the Local Government Code reads: “It is hereby declared the policy of the State that the territorial and political subdivisions of the State shall enjoy genuine and meaningful local autonomy to enable them to attain their fullest development as self-reliant communities xxx.” Self-determination should thus become the guiding principle towards the development of a more “responsive and accountable local government” which a mere system of decentralization despite provisions of “more powers, authority, responsibilities and resources” cannot guarantee. Federalism has a more permanent character rather than political devolution or administrative decentralization which authority can be taken back at a moment’s notice under a highly centralized system of government.

Passing on the Legacy

The late senator’s son and namesake, Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, after his father’s heart, a Bar topnotcher, human rights lawyer, senator and following closely in his footsteps as PDP-Laban party and Senate president, a successful political scion in his own right, would ideally have taken charge in the changing of the guards. But no, perhaps, he has his own plans and is charting his own destiny not necessarily treading the path the elder Pimentel have set in the political landscape. They even have differing opinions on the matter of imposing martial law in the country. He and his party, now peopled by political turncoats with dubious interests, have dropped the ball on Federalism and are largely mum on the issue while waiting perhaps for a signal from President Duterte, who is not too keen himself to pursue the advocacy.

Taking the cudgel where the Concom, Congress federalists and PDP-Laban stalwarts may have left off, Congressman Rufus B. Rodriguez, Cagayan de Oro 2nd District representative and concurrent chairman of the House Committee on Constitutional Amendments, is actively pursuing the subject through discussions now ongoing in Congress. The dream lives on. If they can’t pursue and keep the legacy of the father of Federalism in the Philippines, at least, pass the torch, please.

(Renato Gica Tibon is a fellow of the Fellowship of the 300, an elite organization under Centrist Democracy Political Institute with focus on political technocracy. He  holds both position as political action officer and program manager of the Institute. He is the former regional chairman for Region 10 and vice president for Mindanao of the Centrist Democratic Party of the Philippines.)