WHAT IT TAKES TO HAVE A FEDERALISM TYPE OF GOVERNMENT
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, PAMPANGA- The Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (PamCham), in collaboration with the CDPI and PCCI, conducted a conference about the imperatives of pursuing our country to be a Federal Republic in July 28, 2016 at the Laus Group Event Center, City of San Fernando, Pampanga, which was attended by some students from the province and members of the business sector.
Federalism is a system of government in which a written constitution divides power between a central government and regional or sub-divisional governments. Both types of government act directly upon the people through their officials and laws. – History Learning Site
“PURSUING FEDERALISM: A Shift from Unitary- Presidential to Federal- Parliamentary Government” was the focus of the conference organized by the Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc, in July 28, 2016 at the Laus Group Event Center. The welcoming remarks were given by the Chairperson Emeritus and Founding Director of the Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. and Member of the Consultative Commission of 2005, Mr. Liberato ‘Levy’ P. Laus, who happened to be the sponsor of the conference venue.
“In reforming our political system, we have to put in place four preconditions: (1) Building and reforming our political party system—which must possess an ideological idea, (2) Passage of the Anti- Dynasty Bill, (3) Passage of the Freedom of Information Bill—which is already a law, and (4) Initiate electoral reforms. These should be took into consideration,” says Dr. Jose V. Abueva, Professor Emeritus of University of the Philippines- Diliman, President of Kalayaan College and Chairman of the Consultative Commission of 2005, whose talk focused on the topic: “Reforming Our Political System: Building Our Ideal Society and Democracy”. On the other hand, the time frame of the Duterte administration on the passage of the Federalism type of government was tackled by the President of Centrist Democracy Political Institute (CDPI), Chairman of Centrist Democratic Party of the Philippines (CDP) and Secretary- General of the Consultative Commission of 2005, Mr. Lito C. Lorenzana.
The Acting Secretary- General of the Lakas- Christian Muslim Democrats, Member of Philippine Constitution Association (PHILCONSA), and the lawyer of former President Gloria Macapagal- Arroyo, Atty. Raul Lambino, tackled the “Features of a Parliamentary System”. “The three methods of proposing a Constitutional Convention should be through (1) Direct Congressional Action, (2) Constitutional Convention, and (3) People’s Initiative. In addition, Constitutional Convention is not a legislative power but, a constituent power of the Congress and the President has no participation,” he added.
The members and representatives from the business sector, as well as some students were given the chance to raise their queries and comments during the Town Hall discussion led by Mr. Fernando Martin Pena, Member of the Consultative Commission of 2005, who also discussed “The Proposed 12 Federal States of the Republic of the Philippines- Challenges and Impacts to the Local Business and Non- Government Institutions”.
The conference was a collaborative effort of the Centrist Democracy Political Institute (CDPI), the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry in collaboration with the 2005 Consultative Commission for the Amendments of the 1987 Constitution.
