By Atty. Antonio P. Pekas
I am in favor of PBBM’s federalism movement. While I still have to see the draft of the proposed measures or laws they would like to implement to achieve that, I am in principle agreeable to the concept of federalism which, in essence, is decentralization. That should mean also self determination of the people in each state or region. Thus, my agreement is with a twist. That minorities with a different culture from the majority should comprise a state so they will not be discriminated against. For instance, the Cordillera should comprise a state as the culture and historical background of people here are different from those of lowlanders. Because of these, we have different needs and different ways of doing things.
With this caveat, PBBM should have shown his sincerity or commitment with the cause. He should have done it by fighting for Cordillera autonomy. An unmistakable step towards that end would have been his certifying as urgent the passage of the pending bill for Cordi autonomy. This should have hastened the process and would have endeared him to Cordi officials particularly the congressmen who all authored or endorsed the bill.
So why did he not do it? This can mean he is just paying lip service to the concept of federalism but actually not sincere about it. An autonomous Cordi would be a concrete step towards federalism and can even become a showcase of the goodness of the concept, particularly if it is immediately implemented. While we do not expect a miracle upon declaration of an autonomous Cordi, some good results or effects can be immediately seen or felt.
Of course, there will be birth pains we will have to contend with, but any implementation of a new system, particularly a huge one affecting one whole region composed of people with diverse cultures, will take some time to jell. But there is an overriding commonality in interest, history and our diverse cultures that can see us through.
One of such is our having been exploited through the taking of our natural resources like precious metals dug out from the earth which enriched outsiders who capitalized mining ventures. They don’t even pay the right taxes to our people or local governments. They were, and I think are still, paying their taxes on income derived from here in the places where their central offices or headquarters are located.
In short, we have been and still are enriching outsiders but we remain impoverished up to now. If we are living well enough, it is not because of good government or national officials of this country. It is because of the industry, stamina and thrift of our people.
Without our having been exploited or cheated of our natural resources, we should have been living in heaven, economically, that is.
So, as far as the federalism dream of PBBM is concerned, he has to show us first through concrete results his sincerity. Without that, how can we become believers?**
