Once our system of government is converted into a federal form as proposed by our legislators, it might open the floodgates to the possible adoption of laws legalizing abortion, gay marriage, divorce and the use of a hybrid election system in our country.
Under the proposed constitutional amendments, the existing regions in the country will be transformed into “states” each with its own “exclusive legislative powers” to enact laws on state and local elections; marriage, population management, labor and trade relations, justice system, among others. Each state will also have its own constitution, adopt its name, and choose a capital flag, anthem and seal.
Hence, with the creation of different “states” with its own legislative power, one state may legalize abortion, divorce, and gay marriage while others may not allow it or may provide certain restrictions if ever the same is legalized in their respective areas.
One or two states may pass a law providing for manual election while others may go for a full automated election system and others may adopt a hybrid system of election where both manual and automated systems are used.
There will also be a dramatic increase in the number of politicians under the proposed federal form of government.
At present we only have 297 representatives from 234 legislative districts including those from the party-list system and 24 senators.
The proposed charter calls for the creation of “state assembly” from each state government composed of two representatives from “each province” and one representative per highly urbanized cities (HUCs).
With 81 provinces and five HUCs, it means a total of 162 provincial representatives and five city representatives or a total of 167 positions added to the existing number of politicians in our country. The existing positions in the local governments of provinces, cities, municipalities and barangays are retained.
Indeed, the various proposals involved in changing our form of government would practically result in changing or altering our time-honored culture, values and traditions.
As such, any change in our present Charter has to be thoroughly discussed and studied by those people who were given the noble and serious task of amending the fundamental law of our nation, especially by the members of the newly created consultative body on Charter change headed by former chief justice Reynato Puno.
For sure, in their hands depend the future of our country and our people, and the dreams of our children and their children.
ROMULO B. MACALINTAL, Las Piñas City