Proposed Federal States of the Philippines. Source: Rebuilding for a Better Philippines
- "The unitary system sucks because it boils down to patronage and that the decision-making and sharing of resources are concentrated in Metro Manila," Duterte said
- Federalism is a fall-back position in Mindanao if the Bangsamoro Basic Law fails.
- "It is an option acceptable to Nur Misuari and to the rest of Mindanao that contributes 54 percent of the total Philippine earnings from agricultural exports," Duterte said.
- The current BBL only recognized the MILF -a Maguindanao tribe leaded revolutionary group and Ignoring the MNLF which is headed by Nur Misuari a Tausug tribe faction, and the original revolutionary group.
- Tausug and Maguindanao muslim tribes are foes and fighting each other (Rido)
- Tausug and Maranao muslim tribes are not also friends (They are avoiding each other)
- If the Philippines will empower the MILF (Maguindanao) it seems like the government allows the possible massacre of Tausug tribes so there will be no peace at all because Tausug will fights back
- Separating the 2 muslim tribes into 2 different states as BangsaMoro and Sultanate of Sulu or BangsaSug could be the best solution
- Majority of the Tribes in Mindanao are not Muslim. The largest Subanen tribes with territory Span from Basilan island, Zamboanga Peninsula, Misamis Oriental and Occidental, Lanao del norte (Higaonon -Subanen), Cagayan de oro, Gingoog and Camiguin Island are peaceful non-muslim tribes who never been and never converted into islam from the beginning of the History of Mindanao.
- Second majority tribes which is the Mandaya tribes of Davao provinces, Comval, Agusan and Surigao with its branches such as the the Kamayo tribes, Manobo, B'laan, Mansaka, Tasaday, Mamanwa and other are also non-muslim tribes. The Bukidnon, areas have also other non-muslim tribes which should be given voice like the muslim tribes.
- "It is acceptable to Palawan that was supposed to earn ₱72 billion from the Malampaya oil fields but is getting nothing in return," he said.
- Duterte said , under the current unitary system of government, the destiny of the nation is controlled by politicians who come and go, and most of whom do not even know what to do.
Duterte says federalism only way out of the hump for RP
by Jimmy K. Laking
Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte last week told a gathering of Rotarians in Baguio City that federalism is the only option left for the Philippines to reach the development that Malaysia has been able to attain.
"The unitary system sucks because it boils down to patronage and that the decision-making and sharing of resources are concentrated in Metro Manila," he said.
He said federalism is a fall-back position in Mindanao if the Bangsamoro Basic Law fails.
"It is an option acceptable to Nur Misuari and to the rest of Mindanao that contributes 54 percent of the total Philippine earnings from agricultural exports," he said.
"It is acceptable to Palawan that was supposed to earn P72 billion from the Malampaya oil fields but is getting nothing in return," he said.
He said under the current unitary system of government, the destiny of the nation is controlled by politicians who come and go, and most of whom do not even know what to do.
"The House of Representatives decides money matters and what is left after the money is washed and laundered goes to patronage," he said.
He said he sees high hopes in the BBL to achieve peace in Mindanao.
"But if it fails, there is federalism as a fallback and if the rest of the country will not listen to us, hiwa-hiwalay na lang tayo," he said.
He said the conflict in Mindanao has claimed more than 100,000 lives and the island remains a "troubled land."
He said federalism can give the best and the brightest (of people) opportunities in government to prosper but not in a unitary system where the system is closed.
At the same time, he added the people want change but "it is not a change in people, but actually an institutional change."
He dismissed reports that he was interested in seeking the presidency, saying he no longer had the energy for governance.
"Divine intervention could point to anyone but that it is no longer my time," he said.
He said he had no ambition, only a vision of seeing this country go federal to attain the level of development Malaysia has achieved.
Duterte, 79, a former assistant city prosecutor, has sat as OIC vice mayor of Davao City and has since been a 22-year mayor after that, in addition to having served for one term as a congressman.
Duterte has embarked on a tour of Philippine cities to espouse federalism as option for all Filipinos "to free themselves from an over-centralized rule presided over by politicians that come and go." with sources from RFABP and - Baguio Midland Courier
