ON FEDERALISM

By Rafael Alunan III
September 30, 2017

I've come across PDP-Laban's draft Exec Summary and find it generally reasonable and comprehensible. We should always be open to ideas that aim to have a better system of governance. No one in their right mind would say no to that.

But I do have some questions:
1. Will federalism work if we remain corrupt, under-educated, tribal, negligent and irresponsible?

2. Will federalism work if political "parties" (more like fraternities) keep offering the wrong candidates to uninformed voters?

3. Will federalism work if political dynasties remain in place and unbroken?

4. Will federalism work if the same kind of people manhandling the voting system remain in place?

In other words, will federalism bring to us a better system of governance before we become better Filipinos?

Finally, will federalism unite us or divide us all the more? Will it make us a better nation before we acquire a keen sense of nationhood?

The fundamental question is, are we putting the cart before the horse? We love to tinker with structures and systems to improve the state of the nation, yet, we've avoided changing ourselves for the better. In other words, if a car keeps bumping other cars, don't change the car; change the driver!

Source: FB