President Gloria Arroyo recently expressed her support for the move to shift to a federal form of government. In a state banquet for Swiss President Pascal Couchepin, she said she is supporting it as a way to ensure peace in Mindanao.

"We thank the Swiss government not only for the values of freedom and civil rights that are enshrined in its culture but also for its willingness to share in its experience of federalism through the Institute of Federalism located in Fribourg in Switzerland which has been helping us do our studies on this form of government. We advocate federalism as a way to ensure long-lasting peace in Mindanao,” Arroyo said.

This is not the first time that Arroyo expressed her desire to have a federal government for the country. 

Our research shows that she has been advocating for a shift to a federal form of government since 2004, when she ran for president.  The shift to a federal form of government was part of the platform of her party, Koalisyon ng Katapatan at Karanasan sa Kinabukasan (K-4).

On January 5, 2004, President Arroyo said in a program held before she filed her certificate of candidacy that her party would lobby to have a parliamentary and federal form of government.

“We have made progress but we will need your support to get the job done for the fundamental change in our political system."

Roadmap to federalism

Since then, Arroyo has expressed her desire to have a federal form of government for the country in a number of occasions:

• On January 8,2004, Arroyo said in a radio interview, that she favors charter change that will include a shift to a federal or a parliamentary form of government because it will help the Philippines catch up with its Southeast Asian neighbors. She said:  “Our present form of government has many gridlocks, which have become a hindrance to our socio-economic growth.”
   
• On March 16,2004, Arroyo said in a press conference in Davao City:  "I said the search for peace must be constitutional but the Constitution must serve the quest for peace and I believe that we have a better chance for lasting peace and development in Mindanao if indeed we have a federal form of government.”
   
• During the 3rd International Conference of Asian Political Parties held in Beijing on September 2004, Arroyo said: 
  
  “Federalism is not merely a political form; it will have substantive implications on the political economy of the nation. Therefore, we must address the issue of economic viability and the preparedness of component states.
  
  From our present situation as an archipelago, the next transition is now to gear towards a wider distribution of economic zones such as those pioneered successfully right here in China, then towards autonomy and then to statehood.
  
  As for the shift to the parliamentary form of government, it must be spearheaded. I believe and again…It must be spearheaded by meaningful political reforms, particularly a law on political parties that would spur the rehabilitation of our societal organizations and mass movements, and cleaning up of our electoral processes.”
   
• During her 2005 State of the Nation Address, she said:
  
  “Ours is a country divided; the story of our nation is a tale of two Philippines; almost, as it were, two countries under the same name. One is the Philippines whose economy, after long years of cumulative national endeavor, is now poised for take off. The other is the Philippines whose political system, after equally long years of degeneration, has become a hindrance to progress.
  
  “Perhaps we politicians have done our best; but maybe our best is not enough, given the present system. Perhaps we have strained the present political system to its final limit. It is time to turn to the people, bring them into government -- and change the way that government is done.”
  
  “The economic progress and social stability of the provinces, along with the increasing self-reliance and efficiency of political developments and public services there, make a compelling case for federalism. Perhaps it's time to take the power from the center to the countryside that feeds it.”
   
• During her 2006 State of the Nation Address, Arroyo said the government has funds for constitutional and electoral changes and that there is a need to give power to the provinces. She said:
  
  “Sa kasalukuyang sistema, napakabagal ng proseso, at bukas sa labis na pagtutunggali, at sikil ang lalawigan at mamamayan sa paghahari ng Imperial Manila. Panahon nang ibalik ang kapangyarihan sa taumbayan at lalawigan.”
  
  She also thanked foreign donors for helping Mindanao and said that the projects and development in the island will prepare it for the shift to a federal form of government. “Things are coming together for Mindanao, a prelude to their readiness for eventual federalism.”
   
• On October 15,2007, during the launch of the regional workshop on the establishment of national human rights institutions across Asia, she said that the government is forming a panel to draft a roadmap to federalism by 2012. (abs-cbnNEWS.com/Newsbreak)

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