Posts

Federalism spells disaster for PH – economists

A shift to federalism can only spell disaster for the Philippines, possibly stoking “hyperinflation” and ceding more powers than what many local government units (LGUs) are ready to handle, top economists from the University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P) warned on Monday. UA&P’s Bernardo Villegas – also known as the “prophet of boom” due to his consistently upbeat view on the Philippine economy – is not so optimistic on the proposed shift to a federalist form of government. “I think it will be a disaster. I won’t go as far as (former) Chief Justice Hilario Davide saying it’s going to be hell but it’s not necessary and it’s counterproductive,” Villegas said in a joint economic forum held by First Metro Investment Corp. and UA&P on Monday. “Imagine the duplication of all expenses of all levels and the completely arbitrary way of putting together provinces for the so-called federal states,” Villegas said. The economist said the Philippines should learn ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Editorial: Undemocratic Condescension

Last March, Social Weather Stations found that only 25 percent of voting-age Filipinos classified themselves as aware of what a federal system of government was. The same survey found that only 37 percent said they agree (sumasang-ayon) with a federal system—presumably as the new form of government for the Philippines. (The survey questions are vague on this point.) The survey findings show that a large majority of voting-age Filipinos (75 percent) do not know what federalism is, and that almost two-thirds either disagree with the federal system or are undecided about it. The implication is clear: There is no clamor for a shift to federalism; there is no groundswell of support for a change in the Constitution to allow the shift to a federal system of government. On the other hand, the Duterte administration is intent on effecting the change, and hence the shift. This is the context in which the members of the consultative committee appointed by President Duterte conv...
Post a Comment
Read more