26/04/2021
MAY 4, 2021: Covid-19 and its Effects on the Federalism Initiative in the Philippines
REGISTER NOW! https://bit.ly/3wLOkpm
In the Philippines, the federalist initiative can be categorized as a relatively recent political project. The country has for the longest time adopted a strong central government that led to top-down governance. Critics have long pointed out that such concentration of power has led to the neglect of many areas in the country. The clamor that the Philippines were a protracted civil war, essentially, arrested the development potential of a resource rich region. Recently, secessionist moves led by Islamic rebel groups have been toned down owing to a peace settlement signed under the administration of President Benigno Aquino.
The election of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte in 2016 catalyzed the federalist movement in the Philippines. Under his administration, a consultative commission composed of leading public intellectuals was formed to draft a new constitution to replace the 1987 constitution that on paper, categorizes the country as a unitary state. The draft document christened the “Bayanihan” constitution was eventually submitted to
Duterte for his consideration and eventual endorsement to the public.
However, debates on a new federal constitution have been delayed and Filipino politics remain centralized and leader-centric, as seen during the most recent Covid-19 pandemic.
* Why is there limited support for federalism amongst elites and the public in the Philippines?
* How has Covid-19 highlighted the centralized and unitary character of the country?
* What options exists for wider state reform in the future?
To join please register via the following link (you will be asked for your name, email address, company, preferred language and country of residence): https://bit.ly/3wLOkpm
After you register, you will receive an email containing the link to the Zoom session on May 4th. We recommend that you log in 5-10 minutes before the beginning of the session. You will be able to use the “Q&A” option in Zoom during the session. Please note that questions can be viewed by all event participants. If you experience technical problems during the registration process, or in accessing the Zoom session, please send an email to [email protected]
The "Turn on Federalism" series is a cooperation between Hanns Seidel Foundation and 50shades of Federalism.
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