The Davao-based People’s RevGov for Real Democracy (PRRD) said on Tuesday that the Constitutional Committee’s proposal for 18 weak federal regions or states is “a recipe for disaster,” that contradicts what President Duterte has promised the Filipino people.
“This is in sharp contrast to the shifting to a highly-decentralized federal system of government as President Duterte preferred,” said Architect Florencio “Chito” Gavino, PRRD spokesperson.
“The Concom appears keen on crafting a permissive type of federalism with 18 weak states to make up a weak unitary Republic,” he said.
He said President Duterte is fed up with a ‘strong central government’ that has been in existence since the Spanish period and has openly batted for a system whereby 20-30% of taxes will be allocated to the federal national government with 70-80percent for the federal regions or states.
Money-wise, he said, the Concom wanted 40percent for the regions and 60% for the federal national government. “This is not much change from the current allocation,” he said.
Politics-wise, he said, Concom’s proposal would mean 18 federal governors, 18 regional vice-governors and 18 sets of regional board members.
He said if this happens, it might trigger the abolition of existing provinces.
“On top of this, thousands of government officials and employees in the administration of the federal national and 18 regional governments will have to be appointed.
He warned this may lead to the explosion of the bureaucracy since it would mean more taxes from the people.
He said Concom still wants big business to pay their taxes in Makati instead of where their business activities are done.
He said something is fishy in this proposal as it reveals the hands of big business at work.
To fast-track federalism, Gavino said President Duterte must instruct the Concom to adopt incremental strategy in the creation of the regions by sticking with five big and rich federal regions, to include a BangsaMoro state or region.
He said Duterte must be required to pay taxes where they operate and that the 70-30percent tax share in favor of the regions or states should be adopted.
