A plea to the consultative committee

Federalism, contrary to what is being reiterated by its supporters, would likely exacerbate the already bad social and political condition in the archipelago, considering that any regional state’s power, in a federal system, is given and guaranteed by the constitution, not by the central government itself.

Amid the equally impassioned campaigns for federalism, we, the dissenters, would never ever stop asserting that the retention of a unitary form of government is a much better option as far as the wellbeing of the populace is concerned.

The Local Government Code of 1991 already provides for the autonomy of every local government unit (LGU). As such, what only impairs and/or delays a service from an LGU is the relatively little amount of time involved in receiving a budget from the national government.

Thus, it appears that the archipelagic nature of our country is not the reason why some LGUs are being left behind. Rather, regardless of its distance from the capital, any barangay, city, municipality or province would certainly be accentuated by an impressive public service if the local government under it is very competent.

Indeed, we are being cajoled so that they could achieve their ill end. Unmistakable is the fact that skewed arguments are being utilized in order to defend the purported efficacy of federalism.

I am appealing to the consultative committee, even if it may be quite late already, to cater to the commoners and distance itself from any external entity under any circumstance.

Members of the committee, as we know, are individuals of respectable backgrounds. Needless to say, respectable conduct is required of each and every one of them. They should embody nothing but what is truly right.

IAN CARLO L. ARAGON, iancarloaragon@gmail.com