I emailed Senator Mar Roxas concerning such issue, and he graciously replied. Thanks for inquiring though. I sure appreciate your gesture of friendship.

With due respect, I strongly disagree with Senator Roxas. In contrast to his opinion, federalism will strengthen Philippines democratic institutions. When the United States formed its own version of the federal system of government, its democratic institutions were much weaker, in fact,way weaker than the Philippines current democratic institutions.

Those who reject federalism outright without carefully and seriously studying its democratic benefits, and the genius it brings to the democratic system, are those who have chosen to remain in that “Filipino feudal mentality” that fundamentally and wrongly believes that only the paternal minds of the politicians can determine what is best for others-”the commoners”. Federalism empowers people and assumed that people themselves are capable and able to determine their own destiny.It unleashes human power and extend to them the very human yearning of freedom. It advances cultural-ethnic-human creativity, innovation and healthy competition. It promotes interdependence and destroys the dysfunctional co-dependency in the current Philippines political system. Federalism is the genuine essence of participatory democracy.

Federalism will contribute in eliminating the blatant graft and corruption cancer in the government. Why? Well, simply because people’s direct accessibility to government officials requires and advances transparency. It is easier for the constituency to hold their leaders accountable in a federal system, where their leaders are right there among them.

Anyway, I can go on and on forever articulating my view! I’m sure by now, you are,without a doubt,convinced that I am a passionate federalist.

Cheers to you and your readers,
Willy

I’m sure that when the proper time comes to shift, Sen. Roxas and the rest of our legislators and leaders will aggressively push for the implementation of Federalism.

This is a very interesting topic that you brought up so I’ll try to get the stand of the other Presidentiables as well and post it here.

Cheers,
Carlo

I am a Filipino-American happily living in Dallas,in the Great Lone Star State of Texas. I enjoy reading your blog I found while surfing the web looking for intelligent assessment about Philippine events. An American of Filipino heritage like me surely appreciates your blog. Your blog deals with subjects I care about except entertainment and movies.

Senator Roxas seems to be a great choice for 2010 Philippines presidential “derby”. However, he needs to disclose his stand on federalism. I am a passionate supporter of a Federal Republic of the Philippines. I can’t vote in 2010, but I have tons of relatives all across the Philippines whom I could influence. Do you know his stand on federalism?

Thanks,
Willy