Marcos: We’re doing first step of federal gov’t in Philippines

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Thursday said the Philippine government has already been doing an initial step of federal governance in the country.

Marcos mentioned this as he administered the oath of office of the new members of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) in Malacañang. The PFP was Marcos’ political party when he ran for president in Eleksyon 2022.

"We were talking here about federalism and what we have started to do, kahit na in all but name, ating ginagawa ay ibinibigay ang discretion, ang power, ang function hangga't maaari sa pinakamababang level na maaari nating gawin (we are giving the discretion, the power, and the function to the lowest level, if possible). So, we are doing the first step of the federal government for the Philippines in all but name and that is what we will continue to do," Marcos said in his speech.

Marcos explained that the "stability of a political structure is much more reliable when we have many power centers."

"If the power centers only belong here in Manila, then pabagsakin mo ang Manila, bagsak ang buong Pilipinas (if Manila will be overthrown, the entire Philippines will go down)," Marcos said.

"But with the power centers being given to the local governments, to the local districts, and to those operating at the local level and thereby bringing those power centers to many many places, it makes for a more stable political structure and makes a more stable political life," the President added.

Marcos further stressed that the decision-making in the government should be made at the lowest level as possible, saying that governors and congressmen should be allowed to decide since they know the situation on the ground.

"All the systems that we are trying to put together, what we are trying to do is to make the decision... the decision process be made in as low level as possible. Dahil pagka-nangangailangan tayo ng decision, dahan-dahan paakyatin pa sa Presidente, paabutin pa sa Cabinet (when we have to make a decision, that will still have to reach the President and the Cabinet members)," Marcos said.

"Kung kaya na ng governor, kung kaya na ng congressman, sila na magdecide eh sila naman nakakaalam (If the governor or congressman can do it, then they can decide)," the President added.

Marcos has since been pushing for the full devolution of certain functions of the executive branch to local government units, clarifying that it is not an alternative to the proposed Charter change.

In February, Marcos said the government is reviewing Executive Order No. 138, which aims to provide guidelines on the full devolution of certain functions of the executive branch to LGUs.

At the same event, the President's son, Ilocos Norte Representative Ferdinand Alexander "Sandro" Marcos, took hi oath as new member of the PFP. He was previously affiliated with the Nacionalista Party.

The elder Marcos emphasized the importance of having an ideology within a political party.

"I have always been of the belief that a party must stand for ideology. Pagka 'yung partido ay walang ideology ay hindi talaga lalago, palipat-lipat ang miyembro, minsan matibay, kung minsan mahina," Marcos said.

(If the political party has no ideology, it will not prosper and the members will just transfer to other parties.)

"'Yun ang mga nangyayari kung minsan dito sa Pilipinas dahil kung ano-anong partido ang ginagamit, lalong-lalo na pag nadating na sa local government, paiba-iba na (That's what's happening here in the Philippines, especially in the local government). There has to be a central tenet, a central principle to what we are doing," he added. 

New PFP members

Among those who took their oath as new PFP members were: Gov. Rogelio Neil P. Roque, Bukidnon; Gov. Marilou H. Cayco, Batanes; Gov. Christian M. Noveras, Aurora; Gov. Hermogenes E. Ebdane Jr., Zambales;  Gov. Eduardo B. Gadiano, Occidental Mindoro;  Gov. Ricarte R. Padilla, Camarines Norte; Gov. Edcel Greco B. Lagman, Albay; Gov. Erico Aristotle C. Aumentado, Bohol; Gov. Damian G. Mercado, Southern Leyte; Gov. Imelda Q. Dimaporo, Lanao del Norte;  Gov. Dorothy M. Gonzaga, Davao de Oro; Gov. Edwin I. Jubahib, Davao del Norte; Gov. Arthur R. Defensor Jr., Iloilo; Gov. Abdulraof A. Macacua, Maguindanao del Norte;  Vice Gov. Katherine C. Agapay, Laguna; Secretary Lope B. Santos III, Lead Convenor, National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC); Assistant Secretary Arlan M. Mangelen, Department of Agriculture; and Girlie E. Amarillo, Officer-in-Charge, Office of the Deputy Director General-NAPC.

Senator Francis Tolentino, South Cotabato Governor and League of Provinces of the Philippines National President Reynaldo S. Tamayo, and NAPC Media Coordination Consultant Antonio Chavez were also present during the ceremony.

Meanwhile, the PFP officers who also attended the event include Thompson Lantion, Secretary General; Pablo Dario S. Ocampo, Secretary General; Atty. George S. Briones, General Counsel; Atty. Richard Brett S. Uy, Deputy General Counsel; Atty. Rico H. Alday, Deputy General Counsel; Edgardo A. Acaba, National Auditor; Atty. Lino E.A. Dumas, National Legal Officer; and Manuel D. Andal, Vice President for Political. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News