08/25/2018
A MUST READ!
Here’s why I say federalism is like running a family?
By Beethoven Cordero Crasco
My personal outlook about federalism was developed over a period of time through the influences of my acquired knowledge, observation, studies and input from several dignified individuals and organizations I came across in my lifetime.
For me, federalism is a God-inspired system of government which has been put into practice even during the time of Abraham, the father of Isaac as stated in the Holy Bible. We just need to re-discover it, nurture, embrace it and enjoy life on earth together with your families and friends worldwide.
In the micro perspective, I compare federalism to a family structure. Family is the basic component of society, and it’s the composition of millions of families that formed countries, and countries are governed by individuals who came from a single unit of every family.
Looking at how a family structure is set up – the father and mother shares the responsibility to run a family and fulfill their roles to their dependent children. The young children follow the will of their parents, but time will come, their children will grow up to become mature individuals, usually the age of 18 and they no longer necessarily need to follow their parent’s will. The children had developed independence where they could decide their own fate. They may get advice from their parents but at the end of the day, they have to decide on their own. Time will come they will get marry and have children of their own and repeat the same set-up of family cycle.
Federalism is similar to this set up. Let’s take Canada as an example. The prime minister (president) and the members of parliament (senators and congressman) run the affairs of the country with the support of people employed under their respective offices. (They perform the role of a parent in a family). The provinces ( I compare them to the children in the family) are run by premiers (governor) and MPPs and this also applies to cities and towns where a mayor and councillors runs its affair independently.
In Canada federalism, a province or city may seek help or advice from the national government but they basically run their own government within the provincial and city scope. They collect their own respective taxes and spend it freely without the intervention of the national government.
In the biblical point of view, during the time of Abraham, his grandson Jacob whose father is Isaac had twelve sons who become head of each tribes of Israel and gave each of them absolute powers to rule their own tribes.
Having said these, I believe the only system of government that would bring peace and prosperity to a certain country and eventually the world is FEDERALISM. It is symbiotic to a family set-up where you and I belongs.
In fact, federalism is already tested and proven in countries like Canada, United States and other European countries. Take a look at countries which have been voted as the best countries to live on earth – they are run under a federal form of government.
MY PERSONAL STORY
I was born in Philippines and as I grew up, I was exposed to the corrupt system of presidential form of government. My parent has to work hard to support us and provide us proper education. My father was brutally killed when I was 14 years old (second year high school) by members of the rebels known as New People’s Army (NPA). These rebels existed because of poverty, deprivation, corruption and atrocities by the government. My mother supported us (we are four in the family) by working even harder and if necessary asked help from her sister abroad.
I become independent and had a family of my own. As I experienced life in Philippines, I began to hate our FORM of government. A lot of young-blooded and educated individuals tried to enter politics and vowed to improve our government but they ended up being eaten by the system. Some were murdered as they fight for changed. In fact, Philippines has been on the top ranked as most corrupt countries in the world.
I decided to leave Philippines and live in Canada in 2004, a move done by millions of Filipinos as well. Their reason is same as mine. Greener pasture and earn more money to support families and relatives back home.
Before I left Philippines, I started to launch a federal campaign through my personal newspaper publication named Starnews Palawan and later I changed it to Federal Post. It was stopped when I migrated to Canada.
While in Canada, I was amazed how different its government is runned compare to Philippines. The total opposite. Here in Canada, your efforts is rewarding because you could see there’s a future for you and your children.
One experienced I can’t forget is when I attend a political rally. While I was in line to enter the venue, I was told that I need to pay $10 (that ‘s almost 400 pesos) as a contribution to the party and support to our candidate running as Member of Parliament ( congressman in Philippine setting). I did gave $10. In Philippines, its the total opposite, the candidate will pay you, give you’re a ride, provide food for you to attend their political rally.
I asked myself: Can this be adopted in Philippines? I think so..
Here am I now, after several years of hibernation and pondering about how I would deal with my advocacy on federalism, I’m presenting to you my plan to organize a FEDERAL WORLD FOUNDATION. Its first recipient country to benefit is Philippines, the country where I was born and gave me the opportunity to open my eyes, realize and started to my burning desire to make a difference in my one small way.
My base is Canada, the country which gave me the chance to enjoy life while working hard together with my family. The country which gave me inspiration to fulfill my dreams of sharing the abundance of life here in Canada to our fellow countrymen in Philippines.
I cannot do this alone, I need your support, your family, relatives and friends support. We need to be a family to make this happen….
How Federal World Foundation will be structured
The foundation will be run in a federal way (of course) similar to family set up or federal government. It will be registered in Canada, then the in the Philippines.
In Canada setting, the board of directors will be the governing body and headed by a President or Chairman. Each province in Canada has its own set of officers who have will be given authority to run their affairs after getting directive from the Board of Directors, based on the constitution and by-laws of the foundation, as approved by the Canadian government through Revenue Canada, the regulating agency on charities / foundations.
In each province in Canada, there will be one person who will represent each region from Philippines. Below are detailed lists of Philippines according to regions:
• The Philippines consists of 17 regions. The regions are geographically combined into the three island groups of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Following is a list of the regions in their island groupings.
The regions CALABARZON, MIMARO/MIMAROPA, and SOCCSKSARGEN are capitalized because they are acronyms that stand for their component provinces or cities.
Luzon
Region
(short name) Regional center Provinces
National Capital Region
(NCR; Metro Manila) Manila No provinces
Cordillera Administrative Region
(CAR) Baguio City
* Abra
* Apayao
* Benguet
* Ifugao
* Kalinga
* Mountain Province
Ilocos Region
(Region I) San Fernando City
* Ilocos Norte
* Ilocos Sur
* La Union
* Pangasinan
Cagayan Valley
(Region II) Tuguegarao City
* Batanes
* Cagayan
* Isabela
* Nueva Vizcaya
* Quirino
Central Luzon
(Region III) San Fernando City
* Aurora
* Bataan
* Bulacan
* Nueva Ecija
* Pampanga
* Tarlac
* Zambales
CALABARZON
(Region IV-A) Calamba City
* Batangas
* Cavite
* Laguna
* Quezon
* Rizal
MIMARO
(Region IV-B) Calapan City
* Marinduque
* Occidental Mindoro
* Oriental Mindoro
* Romblon
Bicol Region
(Region V) Legazpi City
* Albay
* Camarines Norte
* Camarines Sur
* Catanduanes
* Masbate
* Sorsogon
Visayas
Map Region
(short name) Regional center Provinces
Western Visayas
(Region VI) Iloilo City
* Aklan
* Antique
* Capiz
* Guimaras
* Iloilo
* ****** Occidental
* Palawan
Central Visayas
(Region VII) Cebu City
* Bohol
* Cebu
* ****** Oriental
* Siquijor
Eastern Visayas
(Region VIII) Tacloban City
* Biliran
* Eastern Samar
* Leyte
* Northern Samar
* Samar
* Southern Leyte
Mindanao
Map Region
(short name) Regional center Provinces
Zamboanga Peninsula
(Region IX) Pagadian City
* Zamboanga del Norte
* Zamboanga del Sur
* Zamboanga Sibugay
Northern Mindanao
(Region X) Cagayan de Oro
* Bukidnon
* Camiguin
* Lanao del Norte
* Misamis Occidental
* Misamis Oriental
Davao Region
(Region XI) Davao City
* Compostela Valley
* Davao del Norte
* Davao del Sur
* Davao Oriental
SOCCSKSARGEN
(Region XII) Koronadal City
* Cotabato
* Sarangani
* South Cotabato
* Sultan Kudarat
* General Santos
Caraga
(Region XIII) Butuan City
* Agusan del Norte
* Agusan del Sur
* Dinagat Islands
* Surigao del Norte
* Surigao del Sur
Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao
(ARMM) Cotabato City
* Basilan
* Lanao del Sur
* Maguindanao
* Shariff Kabunsuan
* Sulu
* Tawi-Tawi
So I need 17 people based in Canada who will represent their respective regions in Philippines. Why? Because Philippines in the first place are divided ‘per se’ by a lot of factors namely: topography, ethnic, dialect, traditions, customs, etc.
TOPOGRAPHY. Philippines have more than 1,700 islands which composed the 17 regions. Each region has their own DIALECT, TRADITIONS, CUSTOMS, etc. Reality, these factor draw a barrier or division among the Filipino people as a whole. In family structure, I compare it to family clans.
An Ilocano will not throw out their support to a Cebuano, or vice versa. Likewise, an Illonggo will not give a donation if he knows his hard-eared money he gave will be used for Bicolanos and vice-versa. The logic here is whoever heads a specific region will be reaching out to his/her fellow kababayan (countrymen) who hails the same region. The principle of “family-first” approach is being observed in generating support both on our federal advocacy and funding/donations from fellow Filipinos abroad. By doing this, each Filipinos will think that their donation will directly benefit their families, relatives, friends in their respective regions. And those people, who represent their region, will be held accountable of the funds disbursement and spending.
In Philippine setting, same thing apply in Canada. The foundation will be registered and I need dedicated, honest, thrust-worthy individual to compose the board of directors and they will collaborate with the Canadian counterpart to carry out the project.
I need 17 persons based in Philippines who will represent each region. Some of them may become members of the board of directors. The person representing each region SHOULD come from the region, he or she represents.
FUNDING.
The funding will come from government grants, donations from other charities/foundation and/or businesses, organizations, individuals, on-going fund raising activities like marathon, walk for a cause, etc..
As a start up in Canada, we will encourage all Filipinos to contribute on a monthly basis for ONE (1) DOLLAR A MONTH through pre-authorized direct bank contribution either through debit / ATM/ or credit card.
Internet reports shows that there are about 600,000 Filipinos now live in Canada and every year, there are about 20,000 immigrants are being admitted in Canada.
In Toronto, Ontario alone, it has reached around 200,000 Filipinos living here and around 90,000 in Vancouver and growing.
In fact, Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenny said in 2012, Filipinos are now considered as the no. 1 source of immigrants, beating India and China.
If we do the math, our foundation will be generating a conservative funding of $400,000 monthly (equivalent to 16 million pesos in Philippine currency) for a 1 DOLLAR A MONTH contribution only. What if some will give 2 dollar per month or more. An online donation through the foundation’s website will be set up, as well.
Aside from that, all individuals representing each region will conducting their own donation campaign with the support of the foundation’s board of directors, through its president/chairman.
Once Canada fund drive is set up. We will implement the same thing in United States of America (USA), Middle East (to mention a few like Oman, Saudi Arabia, Dubai, Bahrain, etc), Asian countries like Singapore, Korea, Indonesia, Hongkong, Japan) Europe, (like London, Germany, Sweden, Greece, Italy) and other countries where there are Filipinos working. Our foundation will be visiting these countries to maximize our support from millions of Filipinos working abroad.
All nature of fundraising activities will be undertaken to maximize our funding support.
MISSION / ADVOCACY / PROJECTS
Among the things our foundation will implement are as follows: (If you have other suggestions, we will adopt it)
1. Scholarship for students in each region. We will adopt the “sponsor a student” program similar to the one done World Vision and other Canadian foundations, although their focus is on the poverty-stricken countries like Africa. They send young children to school with the help of a sponsor based in Canada and after the child graduated, it’s done.
On our part, we will continue what the World Vision or other foundations have finished through our “Adopt a student” program. We will teach/ trained / expose them to the federal system of government while they are getting a higher degree of education and encourage them to get involved in any form to influence how their respective towns, cities, regions will be run through federalism.
This is a protracted campaign and the results will not happen overnight. We will see the effect in the next generation to come.
2. We will coordinate with several organizations both in different schools/universities, civic clubs in cities, etc and share to them the beauty of federalism if adopted in Philippines. I remember when I was in my 2nd year college ( 1991) in West Visayas State University, we conducted a symposium as part of our group project about federalism being adopted in Philippines. I remember this was being pushed by former Vice President Salvador ‘Doy” Laurel but after that I did not see other initiatives done. Several individuals/ group in Mindanao are advocating the federalism in Philippines as well and our foundation will coordinate with them.
I will be seeing rallies, more symposiums, barangay assemblies, meetings with Lions and Rotary Clubs, advertisement in all form of media, internet, telemarketing campaign, orientation among students in all colleges/universities nationwide, meeting with current political leaders in all level of government, etc..We will make it a point that federalism will be the “TOPIC OF THE DAY” everyday.
Having said these, a special committee based in Philippines will be tasked to do this job full-time. We need experienced individuals in organizing and have influence to carry out these serious tasks.
3. We will coordinate with government / clubs/ NGOs, other organizations to implement several projects to support our federal campaign to make the Filipino people feel that federalism is working even though the government have not adopted it yet.
Among these projects may include providing school supplies, repair or building of classrooms in identified devastated areas due to natural calamities or terrorism (in Mindanao area, some schools are burned and teachers are held captive or r**e by bandits). Farm to market road and water system may be implemented in areas were government deprive them to have one. Other projects will be done as the need arises and approved by the foundation as long as it does not violate its mandate and government policies.
4. In the long run, since our foundation wishes Philippines to adopt federalism as its form of government, we will initiate and encourage all individuals nationwide ( especially the receipts of our “Adopt-a-student” program in all regions) who believe that federalism will make a difference in Philippines to organize a new political party called “FEDERAL PARTY OF THE PHILIPPINES.
Once organized separately and registered in the Commission on Elections, the party will run candidates in all level of government from barangays, cities, towns, provinces, and on national level like senators, vice president and president.
5. The foundation will also reach out to other countries and implement the same thing after Philippines.
CONCLUSION
One day, we will just wake up Philippines are now run by federal leaders under the federal form of government just like Canada (parliamentary-federal form) , USA (presidential-federal form), Europe and others. I’m seeing Philippines will be chosen as one of the best country to live in, not to mention our tropical climate and beautiful beaches as an added factor.
So Philippines will be self- sufficient as a nation and Filipinos does not need to go abroad anymore. They DO NOT NEED to leave behind their sons, daughters, husband or wife, mother or father, relatives and friends to work abroad and earn DOLLARS just to support their families.
As a result, it would lessen problems like broken homes, sons or daughters got into addiction, marrying early, etc. caused by the non-presence of parents who sacrificed and work hard abroad just to sustain their family needs, which the present Philippine form of government cannot provide.
To all Filipinos reading these, you know what I mean. You have your own story to tell and I have mine, too. I undergo a painful process before I stood up again with the help of my wife Rutchelle and inspired by my sons Beethoven, Jr. and Jordan to put my family on the right track and continue my advocacy on federalism.
It’s my burning desire to share this advocacy to all, not only among Filipinos, but to the rest of the world. This is not new, as I explained in my rationale, we just have to re-discover it ourselves. Other countries will follow if we could make it happen in Philippines.
Please do your share for the sake of your own family. After all, federalism is all about family…
As the Lord, God states in the Holy Bible: “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven”.
God bless us all...
