Unfortunately for our beloved Philippines, issues relating to the Bangsamoro Basic Law, like federalization and local governance, encounter resistance, nay “obstruction” at the Imperial Court—from well-intentioned advisers as well as from the Court’s jesters.
Historically, nations gaining independence from their colonizers, such as those in Africa, Asia and even Europe itself (the Balkans), underwent upheavals eventually breaking up into independent states—for example, Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Croatia; Slovakia and the Czech Republic; Austria and Hungary.
Germany is a federation; so is France, the United Kingdom and the United States of America!
Hence, well before our Republic of the Philippines disintegrates into island-republics, Imperial Manila needs to sense the rising desire for change in governance. Federalization would be the less tumultuous choice over Balkanization and, fortunately, the overwhelmingly popular advocacy.
Imperial Manila, rise up to genuine statesmanship!
—ALFREDO V. ASUNCION, avasuncion@hotmail.com