Which Most or All of The Governing Power Resides in A Centralized Government, in Contrast To

Federalism
According to international Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, federalism

provides a way for different groups of people in different parts of the country to live together.
Federal systems have at least two levels of government, the central level and a second level
that includes territorial entities into which the country is divided, e.g. regions, states,
provinces. Federalism provides ways by which these different groups share power over common
interests, but it also provides for these groups to have a level of autonomy vis-à-vis central
state institutions. Federations are protected by a constitution regarding ways in which power is
shared in central state institutions, but also regarding the powers and responsibilities of both
the central state and provinces, states or regions.
Our country is under a unitary form of government- system of political organization in

which most or all of the governing power resides in a centralized government, in contrast to
a federal state. The Autonomous regions, provinces, municipalities and barangay can only
exercise power and enact policies that the central government chooses to delegate to them.
In an assessment paper presented by U.P. Public Administration and Governance Prof.

Alex Brillantes, and Donna Moscare, the Philippine geography makes travel and communication
difficult, time-consuming and costly. Philippines is composed of several isalnds and the highly
centralized unitary form of government is ineffective in dealing with different struggles and
problems in far-flung parts of the country. The administration and power is concentrated in
Manila which results to inequitable development among the different regions. Development is
inequitable and stunted because there is difficulty in reaching and responding to the needs of
remote areas.
According to Professor Ronald Watts of Queen’s University Canada federal political

systems do provide a practical way of combining, through representative institutions, the
benefits of unity and diversity, but they are no panacea for all of humanity’s political ills.
History would show us several countries that used federalism in dealing with diversity.
After World War 2, India, Malaysia and Nigeria used the federal mechanism to settle ethnic
diversity. Pakistan also used the federal design to manage ethno-national diversity after it
emerged as an independent state.
Based on the study of Jose Abueva , UP Professor Emeritus of Political Science, When we
trace back our history, our country was able to obtain an extraordinary feat and that is the
people people revolution in 1986. Our fellow countrymen were able to banish the dictator into
exile. Some oppressed people in Eastern Europe and Asia took heart and followed our example
to free them from a tyranny. However, in January 2001 not only in EDSA, but also in many cities
in the Philippines including its citizens gathered and employed people power once to bring down a
president who was perceived to be abusive and corrupt. Citizens felt good at once again but this
what we call people power alone could not bring us to what we really need as a developing nation
and democracy
Each region has their own unique problems, situations, geographic, cultural, social and
economic contexts. Federalism allows every region to create solutions to their own problem
instead of distant capital city deciding for them .
Federal form of Government was strengthened when the President-elect Rodrigo Duterte
has said that one of the benefits of this structure is to end the continuing rebellions in the
south waged by the Muslim minority, according to them, this rebellion is an unjust treatment to
them. With this new form of government, there have been positive comments and support from
the Muslim rebel leaders recently and have been indicative of being receptive and cooperative
with the plans.
Expected question from Non-Necessity during Cross-examination
Are you aware that federalism face specific challenges like how to protect minorities?
YES
Are you aware that federalism can be expensive as you need to build institutions, but also
at the region, state and provincial level. YES
Do you believe that the different levels have the difficulties coordinating policies or
policy responses, such as pandemic or natural disasters. YES
(DUNGANGAN PANI HAHAHA)

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Federalism

According to international Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, federalism

Our country is under a unitary form of government- system of political organization in

In an assessment paper presented by U.P. Public Administration and Governance Prof.

According to Professor Ronald Watts of Queen’s University Canada federal political

Expected question from Non-Necessity during Cross-examination

(DUNGANGAN PANI HAHAHA)

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