It is a foregone conclusion that the Duterte administration cannot have Charter Change, enabling the country to shift from a unitary to a federal system of government, before the 2019 elections.
There are time constraints. Congress has many urgent legislation to make a priority, like the national budget. Speaker Gloria Arroyo herself has said that Cha-Cha and federalism will not happen until the end of her term.
More importantly, within the next few months, members of the House will go back to their respective districts to prepare for the May 2019 elections.
Aside from these, the Duterte administration must conduct a massive information campaign to enable the people to be aware of what federalism is all about.
Actually, the postponement of Charter change is a blessing in disguise for the President and its proponents. The cost alone will be staggering at P120 billion. The economic managers are also worried about how it will affect the country’s fiscal position, based on the proposed 50-50 sharing with 18 federated states nationwide.
Businesses are one in support of the economic managers. It is they who will be most affected with the shift to federalism. Investors, both foreign and domestic, are wary about dealing with more than one (central) government.
These concerns must be addressed right away if federalism’s proponents want it to be accepted by the people.
I have my own misgivings. The Philippines is an archipelago, with multiple cultures and backgrounds.
I believe federalism would work in landlocked countries like the United States, Germany, India and elsewhere. My gulay, how can the Cebuanos and Ilonggos go together when by tradition and culture they dislike one another?
In Mindanao, how can Maranaos (traders) go well with Maguindanaoans (farmers), or with the Tausugs of Sulu? This is exactly the reason the Moro National Liberation Front and Moro Islamic Liberation Front cannot unite.
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I can believe President Duterte when he says he is tired and would like to resign if and when former Senator Bongbong Marcos wins his electoral protest against Vice President Leni Robredo. Mr. Duterte says his war on drugs and corruption will not end even when he steps down in 2022.
The presidency is a backbreaking job. Only those who have enough fortitude, patience and stamina can withstand the pressures that go with it. He is now finding that despite his wish to end the drug menace, the problem will persist. It is not a law-and-order problem but a health one.
The police may kill the last pusher, but so long as there is demand, it will continue.
As for government corruption, eradicating it is an exercise in futility. Corruption has become endemic in government.
Still, Malacañang should come out with medical bulletins about the President’s health. It’s a national concern.
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Thousands of passengers were stranded at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport with the lockdown of the single runway when a Xiamen plane skidded and blocked the entry and departure of all flights.
The incident just emphasized how outdated our international airport has become. Worse, Santa Banana, how inadequate airport facilities are.
How many times has it been said that Clark International Airport should now be made an alternate to Naia? It seems, however, that government does not want to listen.
My gulay, there have been unsolicited proposals like that one from Ramon S. Ang of San Miguel to build another international airport in Bulacan. Government, however, is taking its sweet time.
The Senate has scheduled an investigation into the urgency of having more airports nationwide. But to me, a probe is not anymore needed. We all know what is needed— more international airports accessible to people.
If San Miguel’s proposal years ago were only approved years ago, this would not have happened.
Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade may have apologized for the mess, but it is not enough.
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Those who have recently gone to the Balesin Island Club of international businessman Roberto Ongpin tell me that Balesin is now doubly inviting with so many improvements.
My last trip to Balesin was over a year ago. Bobby, who was my student at Ateneo High School, invited me.
Ongpin’s latest magnum opus are the private villas. They come in eight-, six- and four-bedroom structures. They can be bought and titled if not owned or rented by big families and corporations.
Other developments by Alphaland are the Balesin Island Gateway, not far from Balesin itself.
Together with an international airport, Ongpin will build an international hotel to house foreign travelers, Ongpin is lso building beach houses available for non-members of Balesin.
Alphaland’s Baguio Mountain Lodges, which Baguio residents now call the Forbes Park of Baguio, has continued its development.
If you find yourself in Baguio, go see the mountain lodges—and be amazed.
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