Details

The Citizen’s Movement of a Federal Philippines and Konrad Adenauer Stiftung sponsored a 2-day meeting of advocates from all over the Philippines to discuss the progress and advocacy issues of the movement for a Federal Philippines. Guest-panelists included Marvic Leonen, Vice-president of the UP legal Affairs Department, Ramon Casiple of the Institute for Political and Electoral Reform and Joel Rocamora of the Center of Popular Democracy. The event was also graced by AKBAYAN Representative Risa Hontiveros, who updated the body on the status of charter change in the House of Representatives, and Dr. Jose Abueva, president of Kalayaan College and chair of the CMFP Advisory Council.

Abueva stressed that the general public remains inadequately informed on the subject of Federalism and recommended constant repetition to get the movement’s message across. Mr. Klaus Preschle, country representative of the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, said that he is positive that the momentum for constitutional change will return simply because the country seems to be running out of options. Rey Teves, national convenor of the Citizen’s Movement for a Federal Philippines (CMFP) agreed, adding that the good news is that CMFP is still offering a viable alternative to the current system of governance.

Leonen cautioned the group that some sectors in civil society remain wary of constitutional change because of fear that national patrimony provisions they worked hard to put in place may be lost in the process. Leonen stated that although he personally supports constitutional change, given local and international conditions, the time may not be right to do it. Rocamora, on the other hand, inspired the group to move forward and change the political climate to accord with the movement’s goals, arguing that the only solution to their frustrations with the country is to change the present government and the country’s political system to ensure good governance.

On the second day of the meeting, the regional leaders reported on their activities on the ground and suggested ways to consolidate their efforts with those of the secretariat at the national level. Timetables for proposed activities for the remainder of the year were drafted at the end of the comprehensive planning session.

The two-day activity was made possible with support extended by the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung.

Pictured (left to right) Marvic Leonen, Vice-president of the UP legal Affairs Department, Ramon Casiple of the Institute for Political and Electoral Reform, and Joel Rocamora of the Center of Popular Democracy.