Federalism: A ploy to give the Bangsamoro (Muslims) a state

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The push for Federalism in The Philippines is a ploy for a Bangsamoro Islamic State!

☪ Moros are Muslims ☪ and "Bangsamoro" means "Nation of Muslim"
The moros arrived in the Philippines only in the year 1380.
They are not the original Inhabitants of Mindanao, Sulu and Palawan.
Non-Muslims are not Moros!

The Muslims(Moros) were the first colonizers, plunderers, exploiters, and enslavers of the archipelago.
Every president of the Philippines since 1987 has been bought and paid for by the leaders of the Moros(Muslims).

Revoke the ARMM and the NCMF. Repeal the republic acts that created them. Stop violating the constitution's "Separation of Church and State.

Sign this petition to guarantee a minimum of one senator per Region to represent its provinces, cities/municipalities and barangays.

"Sign this Petition: Minimum one senator per Region"

List of the 17 Regions in the Philippines
National - Capital Region ● I - Ilocos ● II - Cagayan ● III - C. Luzon ● IV-A - Calabarzon ● IV-B - Mimaropa ● V - Bicol ● VI - W. Visayas ● VII - C. Visayas ● VIII - E. Visayas ● IX - Zamboanga ● X - N. Mindanao ● XI - Davao ● XII - Soccsksargen ● XIII - Caraga ● XIV - CAR ● XV - BARMM

Federalism in the Philippines is pushed and supported by four types of People.

The first one is by the Muslims (Moros) because they want an Islamic state of their own. Federalism guarantees them an Islamic State.
The Moros(Muslims) leaders are not satisfied with the ARMM even though it has autonomy. The common people are satisfied with the ARMM but the militias of the ARMM, the MNLF and the MILF are not satisfied. These militias are pushing for federalism because it will give the muslim leaders more control over their people. This federalism is about power and control over the common folks.
The second is by the greedy (Kanya-Kanya) mentality who are also the proponents of political dynasties.
Politics in the Philippines is built out of political dynasties. The current president R. Duterte, comes from a political dynasty. These politicians do not want to relinquish the power that their families have over the people. Federalism guarantees them that their dynasty will not only survive but will in fact grow and prosper. These people push the idea that federalism will allow each state to control their own budget and to control their own destiny for growth. This is their bait. They dangle this apple that is full of greed and selfishness. They do not discuss the fact that the Philippines is currently one of the fastest growing countries in the world. They do not mention this because it will destroy their plan.
The third are the ignorant, the blind followers or the minions of the proponents of this type of federalism in the Philippines.
These minions do not care to be educated about this type of federalism in the Philippines. They think they know federalism. They think that the federalism in other countries will be the same as this one for the Philippines. They do not care to understand that this federalism in the Philippines has the Bangsamoro Islamic State poison pill in it.
The fourth are those who are paid to say yes. They are just chasing MONEY. They will do anything for MONEY.

To have an Islamic State in a Non-Islamic federal form of government invites CHAOS and or possibly later secession from the country. India, USA, Australia, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina are some of the countries with the federal form of government. Issues with Islam exist but so far not one of them has a Muslim state. Because they know that it will only lead to chaos. Yet the Philippines tempts this Bangsamoro State idea. Learn from the mistake of Russia. They did this, and is now miserably paying the price. Religion and Government must be kept separate. Doesn't the Philippine legislature understand this? Or possibly the legislature of the Philippines was "bought and paid for" by the Muslim advocates and the Political Dynasty advocates?

Only the following words need to be removed from The 1987 constitution:.

"Muslim Mindanao"
"Autonomous Region(s)"

Remove those and the constitution will be just fine. The Philippines will be one happy united people. Those words caused the Philippines more problems and continue to cause problems.

The Philippines is the only country with a population of more than 80% Catholics in four (4) continents (Asia, Africa, South America, and Australia) that has an Islamic Autonomous Region. Now it is even tempting to turn that autonomous region into an independent Islamic state as part of a federal government. The Muslim lobbyists must be shoving lots of money down the legislatures throats.

Federalism is simply a ploy to give the Bangsamoro (Muslims) a state of its own

The idea of federalism goes back to General Emilio Aguinaldo in 1898. Even back then Aguinaldo embraced federalism only because of the Moros. The moros wanted an independent state and they promised allegiance to Aguinaldo if he supported the idea of Federalism to give the Muslims an Islamic state.

Federalism is embraced by the Bangsamoro and the ARMM. The Moros(Muslims) already have 5 provinces inside the ARMM. The ARMM has autonomy. It is self-governed. It receives over 30 billion pesos per year. It does not report to the DILG like all the other regions do. The ARMM only answers to the president of the Philippines. But why are they still clamoring for a Bangsamoro Islamic State? Why aren't the Muslims(Moros) happy with the ARMM?

Here are the main reasons why:

The ARMM can't impose sharia law in all the 5 provinces. The Philippine government prevents them from doing so. This makes the Muslims upset. What is this autonomy good for if shariah does not rule? The muslims want sharia to govern them and not the laws of the Philippines.
The ARMM is only a Republic Act and therefore it can be revoked or repealed. If ever a president gets pissed off enough at the ARMM he can simply convince congress to revoke or repeal the ARMM. Then poof! No more ARMM. No more happy times for the Muslims. But if the ARMM becomes the Bangsamoro State in a federal form of government, it will be permanent. The Philippines can no longer take it away from them. This even gives them the ability to secede to form a country of their own when disagreements with the federal government goes unresolved. Besides they already have their own militias, the MILF and the MNLF.
As long as Islam in the Philippines remains under the umbrella of the Philippine government (unitary or federalism), the Muslims will never bend to the will of the Philippine law. All Muslims know this: Islam is the priority. Their religion comes first. Nothing should stand in the way. Philippine history proves this and current events continue to prove this.

To fool the people, they no longer talk about BBL or Bangsamoro. Now they just talk about how great the federal form of government is. And that federalism will solve the problems of our unitary form of government. This may be true. The success of federalism has been proven in many countries. But that is not the reason why Federalism is being introduced in the Philippines. They want federalism because they want the bangsamoro to be a state. The Federalism that they want to shove down your throat has the hidden poison pill of the Bangsamoro.

In 2008 the former president Arroyo failed to pass the Bangsamoro basic law, then again in 2015 president Aquino failed to pass the Bangsamoro basic law. Now they are switching their strategy, Duterte is pumping up the benefits of Federalism, knowing that the gullible people will gobble it up. Since 2007 when the 12 senators (14th congress) introduced the senate joint resolution for the federal form of government, the Bangsamoro was already embedded as one of the states. Don't be fooled by this devious ploy.

Under the guise of peace and prosperity the Philippines is willing to give in to the Bangsamoro. Why can't the Muslims(Moros) live in peace with the other religions in the Philippines without asking for a state of their own? None of the other religions in the Philippines are demanding for a state of their own. In the history of the Philippines only the religion of Islam waged war and continues to wage war against the Philippines. No other religion has done this.

Yes, the Filipino Muslims are our brothers and sisters. So are the Christians, the Aglipayans, the INC, the Hindus, the Buddhists, the Mormons, and all the other followers of religions in the Philippines. None of the other religions want a state of their own, only the Muslims(Moros) do.

Don't let the cries of the individual Muslims(Moros) get your sympathy or the intimidation of their militaries (MILF and MNLF) strong arm you into bending to their will.

Be strong and tell your Muslim(Moros) brothers and sisters that they just have to learn to live with the rest of us Filipinos under one flag, one nation under God. How difficult is that? Not for you and I, but for the Muslims(Moros) I suppose that is an impossibility.

The Muslims(Moros) in the Philippines formed their own militaries, MNLF (Moro National Liberation Front) and the MILF (Moro Islamic Liberation Front). These two militaries constantly wage war against the Armed Forces of the Philippines. They constantly disturb the peace of the nation, to push and intimidate the country into giving the Muslims(Moros) a nation of their own. Their campaign has always been that they have been oppressed as a people. The fact is, in the Philippines, the Muslims(Moros) have as much right and exercise as much right as any other follower of any religion or any citizen in the nation. The Muslims(Moros) are not oppressed. The indigenous people are the oppressed.

Bangsamoro is based on a big fat lie. It's trying to convince legislature that the Filipino-Muslims were the original inhabitants of Mindanao, Sulu, and Palawan - Destroy these lies with FACT, True Power is in the truth

First and foremost it must be clarified that MOROS are MUSLIMS. MOROS are the followers of the religion of Islam and are not automatically indigenous people. The people of Sulu, Mindanao and Palawan are not all Moros. The MOROS only comprise of less than 25% of the population of Sulu, Mindanao, and Palawan. The first Moro arrived in the archipelago in 1380. Prior to 1380 the indigenous people did not even know who or what Moros were. They called themselves by their tribal names. When the Spaniards arrived in 1521, to their surprise they were confronted by Muslims who they referred to as Moros. That's when the term Moro in the Philippines started. So it is absolutely incorrect and a propaganda (big lie) for Muslims to call all the people of Mindanao (including non-muslims) as Moros. Christians are not Moros. Moros are Muslims.

What is Bangsamoro? Bangsa = Nation; Moro = Muslim; Bangsamoro = Nation of Muslim or Muslim Nation.

The BBL immediately makes an assumption that all the ancestral lands of the sulu archipelago, Mindanao and palawan all belong to the Muslims(Moros). They made this assumption and they have the legislature fooled.

According to the Bangsamoro, this is the reason why the Bangsamoro organization exists:

Article II section 1 of the BBL defines the bangsamoro people as:"Those who at the time of conquest and colonization were considered natives or original inhabitants of Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago and its adjacent islands including Palawan, and their descendants, whether of mixed or of full blood, shall have the right to identify themselves as Bangsamoro by ascription or self-ascription. Spouses and their descendants are classified as Bangsamoro."

Then Article II section 2 of the BBL talks a little about the indigenous people: "Freedom of Choice. – The freedom of choice of other indigenous peoples shall be respected."

The Moros preach LIES, they are afraid of the facts, they no longer accept the facts of history because the truth will bring a revolution. A revolution they will not win.

How can the bangsamoro be the original inhabitants when the moros(muslims) arrived in the archipelago only in the 14th century?!

Let me inform you folks. The "natives or original inhabitants" at the time of conquest and colonization were not the bangsamoro people. The original inhabitants were the indigenous people who practiced several forms of worship and one of them just happened to be Islam. Muslims (Bangsamoro) are not indigenous people. They are the followers of the religion of Islam.

Before the introduction of any religion or ideology into the Philippines, the indigenous people already had their own languages, traditions, beliefs and practices. These new introductions or additions of religions and beliefs simply became part of the established original.

The archipelago was divided into ruling tribes with Datus as their chieftains. Commerce was vibrant. Commerce attracted the Muslim(Moro) traders to the Sulu archipelago. They did not come for the sake of religion, they came because they wanted to make money. They traded with the tribes of the Philippines.

All throughout the archipelago a vibrant society was already established by the indigenous tribes.

The earliest historical writings claims that the fist arrival of Islam was in the Sulu archipelago in 1380 (14th Century). The conversion of the natives into Islam was gradual. The early Muslim(Moro) missionaries had the opportunity to gather the tribes under one religion, the religion of Islam. There were other religions but they were not entrenched in politics and governance as Islam was. Islam provided an ideology, a way of life and a form of governance which other religions in the area did not provide.

So as Islam gained its spread starting from the south to the north, they met no resistance for over 140 years. Islam enjoyed and prospered in the spread of its religion and its governance by practicing the law of the Qur'an and attaching the title of Sultan to the highest ruler of an area. The sultan (arabic in origin) became a higher position of leadership than the native tribal Datu (tribal chieftain Philippine origin).

The Datus were already in place as chieftains of tribes before Islam set foot in the Philippines. The earliest history tells the story of a Datu Dinagandan who was a chieftain of Aklan in the island of Panay during the 12th century. Way before the recorded arrival of Islam (year 1380) in the Philippines. These tribes were the ancestors of the current INDIGENOUS peoples of the Philippines. These tribes existed with their own autonomy before the Muslims(Moros) converted them into the religion of Islam.

To this date these indigenous peoples still wear their traditional garb mistaken for Muslim(Moros) attire. Many of the tribal traditions were assimilated by the Muslims(Moros) who now inaccurately call it as Muslim(Moro) originated.

Then when the Spaniards arrived in the archipelago in 1521 and brought Christianity with it, Islam confronted competition in the archipelago for the first time. From that moment on Islam no longer had monopoly in the Philippines. This gave the indigenous tribes in the Philippines the opportunity to choose to be Christians, Muslims(Moros), or neither of the two.

Currently many Educated Filipinos make the mistake of dis-associating the words Moro and Muslim. The two words are one and the same. Moro is a direct translation for Muslim. Because most Filipino scholars believe that MOROS are not Muslims, they claim that the moros are indigenous people. Prior to 1380 there were no Moros(muslims) around only indigenous people. Yet a Moro won't embrace any other religion because the Moro is the follower of Islam. You do not call a Catholic, Moro.

The Muslims(Moros) claim that they deserve their own state because they are an indigenous people. WRONG! Muslims(Moros) are the followers of Islam. Muslims are not indigenous people, neither is it an ethnicity. If a tribe converts to Islam and all the members of that tribe become Muslims(Moros), it does not make the Muslims(Moros) indigenous, it only makes the indigenous people in that tribe Muslims(Moros). Then of course the biggest lie is the claim of the bangsamoro to be the original inhabitants of Mindanao, Sulu and Palawan.

This push by the Muslims(Moros) for a state of their own is not just from the Muslims within the Philippines. Other Islamic countries are involved. The country that stands out in full support of the Muslims in the Philippines is the country of Malaysia. They have been involved since 2007 with the former president Arroyo.

The religion of Islam should be treated just like any other religions in the Philippines. The Philippines should uphold the "separation of church and state as it is stated in the constitution. The government should not financially support any religion. Giving the bangsamoro a state of its own is a violation of the constitution. It is financially supporting the religion of Islam.

The Philippine Government is religiously biased. To defeat the BBL or Bangsamoro once and for all, legislature must be convinced that the Bangsamoro people were not the original "natives or inhabitants" of the entire Philippine archipelago or the sulu archipelago, mindanao or palwawan for that matter.

To reiterate: The indigenous people were the original "natives or inhabitants" and not the Bangsamoro. The bangsamoro (nation of muslims) people are not indigenous people.

Muslims(Moros) are the followers of Islam
Moros are Muslims.
Bangsamoro is Nation of Muslims
Bangsamoro Lied when it claimed that they were the original inhabitants of Mindanao, Sulu and Palawan. The moros(muslims) arrived only in the year 1380.
A moro or muslim may be an indigenous person (tausug or other indigenous people) but just by being a muslim or moro does not make anyone indigenous.
Anybody can be a moro or a muslim but not anybody can be an indigenous person.
The indigenous people were the original inhabitants and just because some of them converted to Islam does not make the Muslims, Moros or Bangsamoro the original inhabitants of Mindanao, Sulu, and Palawan.

Bangsamoro means Shari-ah Law is Supreme over the law of the country

The Bangsamoro wants federalism because they want a state of their own, where their religion (Islam) dictates the government. They want their religion (Islam) to be dominant over the government. The Quran dictates the lives of individual Muslims(Moros), the way they live, and the way they are being governed. They are following the commands and dictates of the prophet Mohammad.

Within the Bangsamoro Shari'ah law is supreme. Article 5 Sec 11 of the BBL: "The justice system in the Bangsamoro shall consist of Shari’ah law which shall have supremacy and application over Muslims." Not the law of the Philippines but the Sahri'ah law.

Under Shari'ah law, non-muslims(Moros) are second class citizens. The core context of the Shari'ah law violates the preamble of the constitution of the Philippines. The Bangsamoro puts Shari'ah law above all other laws. Shari'ah law puts the Quran above the law of the country.

The Philippine constitution specifically states that the "separation of church and state shall be inviolable". This means that there must be no union of religion and government. The bangsamoro state embraces this union of Islam and government. This violates the constitution.

Bangsamoro will be an Islamic State within the boundaries of the Philippines. Non-Muslims stepping into the Bangsamoro territory steps in as a second class citizen (an infidel) and therefore are only to be tolerated and never welcome.

When this type of Federalism becomes the norm, the Bangsamoro will have a "trojan horse" in every state of the Philippines. Do you think Shari'ah law will only apply within the Bangsamoro state? You are wrong. Shari'ah law will remain to be a National law of the Philippines. Every state will have Shari'ah courts. That's not all. Every state will also have the NCMF(national commission on muslim filipinos) because this is a national law. So Federalism will guarantee the Moros Shari'ah law and the NCMF in every state.

This is how Bangsamoro wants to be part of the new Federal Government as introduced by the 14th congress

The Muslims(Moros) has been working very closely with the president of the Philippines to create their own autonomy since the independence of the Philippines in 1946. They were successful with Diosdado Macapagal who granted them 5.7 hectares exclusively for Muslims(Moros) in 1965 in Zamboanga City. Then in 1975 and 1976 with Ferdinand Marcos. They were more successful with Cory Aquino in 1987 and 1989 when the ARMM was created giving them 4 provinces. Then in 2001 Gloria M Arroyo granted a plebiscite to gain more territory, the province of Basilan making it 5 provinces for the ARMM. Then again in 2007 with Gloria M Arroyo to help formulate the Bangsamoro which was declared unconstitutional in 2008. This did not stop the Muslims(Moros). The next president elect was Benigno Aquino III, he pushed the Bangsamoro idea again but it was defeated in 2016.

But now they feel a bit more secure with the new president elect Rodrigo Duterte. Duterte's plan is not to talk about BBL but instead he is pushing Federalism. Now his campaigners are just talking about how great the federal form of government is. And that federalism will solve the problems of our unitary form of government. This may be true. The success of federalism has been proven in many countries. But that is not the reason why Federalism is being introduced in the Philippines. They want federalism because they want the bangsamoro to be a state. The Federalism that they want to shove down your throat has the hidden poison pill of the Bangsamoro.

A joint resolution for a Federal system of government was introduced by these 12 (SENATORS AQUlLlNO Q. PIMENTEL, JR., EDGARDO ANGARA, RODOLFO BIAZON, PIA “COMPANERA” CAYETANO, JUAN PONCE ENRILE, FRANCIS “CHIZ” ESCUDERO, JINGGOY ESTRADA, GREGORlO HONASAN, PANFILO LACSON, FRANCIS PANGILINAN, RAMON “BONG” REVILLA, MANUEL “MANNY” VILLAR) to the 14th congress 2007-2010 on April 23, 2008 to introduce a Federal system of Government, which will guarantee the Bangsamoro a state of its own. Here are the highlights: Click on the link to peruse the 73 page proposal. Formation of 11 states: 1. The State of Northern Luzon; 2. The State of Central Luzon; 3. The State of Southern Tagalog; 4. The State of Bicol; 5. The State of Minparom; 6. The State of Eastern Visayas; 7. The State of Central Visayas; 8. The State of Western Visayas; 9. The State of Northern Mindanao; 10. The State of Southern Mindanao; 11. The State of BangsaMoro The Senate shall have seventy-five members. Each state will have 6 senators (6x11=66). Plus, nine (9) senators elected by qualified voters working or residing in foreign countries as defined by law (OFW). A maximum total of 350 members of congress for the Nation based on district population per state. This will bloat the government structure with too much government control. As a prelude to this form of a federal government, the Bangsamoro bill went back to the senate for some adjustment. This time 13 of the incumbent senators supported the Bangsamoro Bill and signed the bill on September 15, 2014. These thirteen senators are: Franklin M. Drilon, Vicente C. Sotto III, Alan Peter S. Cayetano, Loren B. Legarda, Ralph G. Recto, Joseph Victor Gomez "JV Estrada" Ejercito, Maria Lourdes Nancy Sombillo Binay, Francis Joseph G. Escudero, Paolo "Bam" Benigno Aguirre Aquino IV, Edgardo J. Angara, Pillar "Pia" Juliana Cayetano Sebastian. Gregorio B. Honasan II, Teofisto L. Guingona III

Bangsamoro does not just want a STATE. They want the entire Philippines

This is where most Filipinos are blindsided. They are mesmerized by the goodness of Federalism that they forget that the Bangsamoro State is included in the deal.

Most Filipinos do not understand the intentions of the Bangsamoro (Nation of Muslims) for the push of Federalism. The Non-Muslims are blinded by their own goals for federalism. The non-muslims are thinking about all the goodness that federalism will provide. However, the Moros(Muslims) have only one plan, "ASSIMILATION".

There is a little phrase in the Bangsamoro Law, "Schedule plebiscites for expansion" and this is the killer. Simply meant, the Muslims(Moros) in any state where the Moros are clustered (specifically barangays) can petition and file to join the bangsamoro state.

Here is another blow: Since this type of plebiscite concerns the Bangsamoro "All rules and regulations governing Bangsamoro elections and plebiscites shall emanate from the Bangsamoro Electoral Office."

So if your mentality is to let the Bangsamoro have their own state and that you will be safe within your own state, you are mistaken. Your state can be nibbled at by the Bangsamoro via this "Schedule plebiscites for expansion".

The Bangsamoro will have the control. These are all in black and white but heck who is reading? Right?

If the word "Muslim" managed to squeeze into the 1987 constitution and changed the name of Mindanao to "Muslim Mindanao", unnoticed by the general public until it was too late, the bangsamoro expansion clause will pass too if this federalism goes through.

President Duterte, the champion of the Muslims, scratching, fighting, conniving, lying and brainwashing the Filipinos to give the Muslims a bangasamoro state

Not even a month into his presidency, Duterte threatened to declare martial law. Ever since then, there has been sparks of chaos all over Mindanao. He has his followers campaigning barangay to barangay telling people that all of Mindanao is Moro. That even the Christians are Moro in Mindanao. This is creating unrest among the non-muslims. This is what Duterte wants. He wants the unrest and the chaos that follows it so he can declare Martial law. The declaration of martial will make it so much easier to ask for con-con or Cha-Cha and create a Federal form of government. Of course, with the Bangsamoro as one of the states.
- Update: Duterte got his wish. Martial declared in Mindanao last May 23, 2017. Then he managed to convince congress to extend the martial law to the end of the 2017.
Duterte has an alternative plan for the con-con (cha-cha). He will simply ask for it from the people. How will he do this? He managed to convince congress to stop the barangay elections. Congress (9/13/16) approved HB3504 for the postponement of the 2016 Barangay Elections to October 23, 2017. Then the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Philippines, Mr. Pantaleon Alvarez insinuated that the SK and barangay councils should be abolished because he claims that “In reality, they are not working.” The current administration is toying with the idea of appointing the barangay officials. In effect making the barangay officials (336,288) puppets of the administration. This is not eliminating political dynasty, this is propagating political dynasty, not just by blood but also by political alliance.
July 23, 2017: Duterte authorized the creation of the government OWNED Salaam TV exclusively to propagate the Muslim culture and Islam.

No need for Federalism in the Philippines

Currently there are 18 regions in the Philippines. The majority of the senators come from Metro Manila leaving the other regions without senatorial representation.

The people of the Philippines in the far flung barangays are crying for Regional Senatorial Representation from the government of the Philippines.

Those who are pushing for federalism feel that the Philippines will achieve more representation for the regions outside Metro Manila which has been dubbed as imperialistic. They argue that the federal form of government will efficiently cater to the needs of the country. The contention is that federalism will hasten economic development since the financial control is within each state with no significant limitation or restriction from the central government.

It is true that the current system of distribution of public funds is disproportional and biased towards the NCR (metro manila).

What they fail to understand is that one of the 18 regions in the Philippines is the ARMM (Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao). The pushers for Federalism want to include the ARMM or Bangsamoro as one of the states in the Federal Government. The ARMM is already a violation of the "separation of church and state" in the 1987 constitution of the Philippines.

Federalism will allow each region(state) to create its own budget

The current system already allows each region its own budget.

How is the annual national budget of the Philippines prepared?

In a nutshell the preparation goes like this:

Each governmental department, LGU, agency, and special purpose programs/projects determine all their necessary expenditures for the following year.
The data is then presented to the DBCC (Development Budget Coordination Committee)for approval.
This is then presented to the president and his cabinet for approval and submission to Congress for final approval.
In Congress, the proposed budget goes first to the House of Representatives, which assigns the task of initial budget review to its Appropriation Committee.
The Senate Finance Committee, through its different subcommittees also starts to conduct its own review and scrutiny of the proposed budget and proposes amendments to the House Budget Bill to the Senate body for approval.
The House and the Senate creates a Bicameral Conference Committee that finalizes the General Appropriations Bill.

Currently the top ten provinces with the fastest economic development are all in Luzon. Coincidentally, the 20 of the 24 senators are from Luzon. This is the major reason as to why Luzon receives more budget. Luzon has the senators to influence the budget since they have the final scrutiny and can make the amendments.

So if you analyze this method on how the budget is prepared, then it becomes obvious that political influence is paramount. Five of the poorest provinces are in Mindanao and they have no senatorial representation.

As far as the preparation for the budget expenditures, it starts at the barangay level, then moves on to cities, municipalities, provinces and regions. When this budget goes to the House of Representatives for review, the congressmen from each of this region will stick to their guns to protect the budget requirement. So that is not where the problem is. The problem is when the trimmings are being done. This is done by the Senate Finance Committee. Here is where the senatorial influence comes in.

Since this is the case, why do we need federalism? Why spend the billions of pesos to remodel our country? We only need "regional senatorial representation".

We also need the barangays to exercise their authority. They need to put their yearly budget together for their administration and future projects.

Even with Federalism, if the barangays continue to be lazy and do not present their budget for the next year and just depend on the municipality or city to do it for them, the perpetual cycle of laziness will continue.

Budget creation in The Philippines is already decentralized

There are those who really insist that the key to the country’s liberation and for the economic prosperity of the Philippines is in its decentralization. The question that prompts to be asked is: Why ask for something we already have? Our nation is already setup for decentralization. We simply fail in its application. Here is a link to the 130 page “Local Government Code of the Philippines of 1991”. It specifically states that “Toward this end, the State shall provide for a more responsive and accountable local government structure instituted through a system of decentralization whereby local government units shall be given more powers, authority, responsibilities, and resources.'” Our provincial, City, Municipal and Barangay leaders simply need to enforce their authority over their autonomy.

Note: The top 3 regions are NCR(metro manila), Central Luzon(III) and Calabarzon(IV-A). These 3 regions generate 62% of the Philippines GDP. With Federalism they will no longer have to share their earnings with the poorest regions of the Philippines. They do not have to share their earnings with 3 of poorest; the ARMM, CAR (cordillera), or Region 8 (Eastern Visayas). The development of the top 3 will quantum leap. They no longer have to bailout anyone. Bailout will be the federal government's responsibility. followers for Federalism in the Philippines, be aware of this. Do not follow those advocates for federalism blindly. Know the consequences. Changing from one form of government into another will cost billions of pesos. Instead of spending for the change into federalism, use that money and invest in road infrastructures in the poor regions.

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Every barangay, municipality, city, and province in the Philippines has autonomy over their budget

Barangay's power and authority: A must read for all barangay officials

This is the "Barangay Code of the Philippines".

A Barangay Clearance is NEEDED in order to get a Business License.
So why is the barangay name not in most business addresses?
Ask your Barangay Captain/Chairman to create a Resolution to make it mandatory to put the barangay name in all Business addresses.

Every Government Unit in the Philippines is within a Barangay. The municipal hall, city hall, the provincial capitol building, and even the Malacañang Palace where the president resides is within a Barangay.

The barangay has power and authority over its domain. The improvement of the barangay rests on the barangay officials. The barangay chairman, the barangay council and the local businessmen forge the prosperity of the barangay. Not the president of the Philippines, senate, nor congress. Not the governor of the province, not the mayor nor council of the municipality or city. Poor barangays stay poor because of weak and/or ignorant(uninformed) barangay leaders.

When roads or any infrastructure need to be built, improved or repaired, all the barangay officials have to do is make a resolution and present it to the city or municipality council. The resolution will force the city/municipal council or responsible government office to hear the legitimate demands. "The squeaky wheel gets the grease."

Each city or municipality is represented by the "barangay association or federation". The elected president of the Association of Barangay Council and the President of Kabataan (SK) association each have a seat in the City/Municipality council. Their powers are the same and equal to the elected city/municipality councilors. They are there to help lobby the demands of the barangays. They are not there just to collect a big salary and rub elbows with the regular elected city/municipality council, but to also represent the needs of the barangays.

The duties of the barangay officials are specifically written in Chapter III(Punong Barangay) and Chapter IV (The Sangguniang Barangay). Read it..

Practically anything that has to do with the barangay, the barangay officials have a say on it and most likely the authority over it. The majority of the barangay officials are not aware of their duties and power. They depend on the city council or mayor. The elected barangay officials are afraid of the mayor and city/municipality's "Sangguniang Panlungsod". They are in fear of being ousted or removed from office. The truth is, the "Sangguniang Panlungsod" does not have the power to remove or suspend any elected barangay officials from office. Only the COURT OF LAW can do this (judicial branch of the government). Elected public officials can't be suspended by the DILG or the office of the president unless an official complaint has been filed, there must be proof and there must be due process. Republic Act 7160 chapter 4, Section 60. Information is power. Be informed. Do not be intimidated by the president, senator, congressman, governor, mayor, vice-mayor, or councilors. Do your job.

The control of traffic is not up to the city council or chief of police. It is controlled by the barangay. If the barangay needs traffic enforcers, the barangay can make a resolution to demand it from the city or municipality council. When the electric coop or the water district do not maintain their lines, the barangay can directly demand for the maintenance from the utility companies. No need to wait for city council.

The citizens also has the power to make demands to the barangay officials. In case the officials get blinded. Simply file an official complaint with the barangay secretary naming the Punong barangay as the respondent representing the barangay.

If the power lines are sagging, don't go to the power company, go to the barangay office. Ask the barangay for a DEMAND resolution against the power company.

If the water lines are busted, don't wait for the water company, go to the barangay office. Ask the barangay for a DEMAND resolution against the water company.

If the potholes in the road are not fixed, don't wait for the The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), go to the barangay office. Ask the barangay for a DEMAND resolution against the DPWH.

Are you beginning to get the point?

Cleaning the shorelines, drainage systems, streets, rivers, and parks within your barangay is YOUR responsibility. You are accountable for this. It is not the responsibility of the City/Municipality officials. The citizens and officials of the barangay are responsible. Stop blaming others.

BUDGET: As far as the preparation for the budget expenditures, it starts at the barangay level, then moves on to cities, municipalities, provinces and regions. The barangays need to exercise their authority. They need to put their yearly budget together for their administration and future projects. The majority of the barangays leave this job to the municipality and city. This is so wrong. Then when the budget doesn't come or is lacking, they complain.
The budget for the barangays does go to the City or Municipality, but simply for holding and later distribution. The city or municipality DOES NOT approve the budget. It was already approved by congress. The city or municipality simply "distributes" the approved budget.
The bureau of internal revenue is in cahoots to subdue the barangays, municipalities and provinces. They call the rightful shares to the taxes collected as "Internal Revenue Allotment Dependency". It is not a dependency. It is the lawful and rightful share of the LGU as specified in "TITLE III, SHARES OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS IN THE PROCEEDS OF NATIONAL TAXES, CHAPTER I, Allotment of Internal Revenue Taxes, Section 284."
"IMPERIAL MANILA IS A MYTH!", it does not exist anymore. The Philippine budget formulation system is not centralized. "Budgetary planning has been DECENTRALIZED since 1991". It is the responsibility of each LGU to submit their budgetary needs for review. Failure to submit is the problem.
DURING ELECTIONS: Where do City and Municipality politicians go to campaign? They seek the support of the Barangay officials. They plead to the barangay folks for the votes. Even the candidate for president. But after the election they ignore you. Do not ever forget the power of the barangay.

Ignorance keeps the pinoys thinking that Manila rules. Be informed, be educated and make your barangay prosper.

Absolutely NO need for FEDERALISM. It is a ploy to give the Bangsamoro an Islamic State where the religion of Islam is financed by the Philippine government. Bangsamoro will be a HOMELAND not for all Filipinos but for only the Muslim Filipinos. It violates the constitution's "separation of church and state". Religion is always good for the people but it should never be embraced or financed by government. Tax exemption is not tantamount to financing. Every non-profit organization is tax-exempt.

For the sake of Discussion, How will Federalism work in the Philippines?

Federalism will work in the Philippines, if there is no Bangsamoro.
Federalism will work if the Philippine government upholds the "separation of church and state".
Federalism will work if the Philippine government stops being biased towards the religion of Islam.
Federalism will work when all religions in the Philippines are treated equally.

For a better Philippines, the NCMF and the ARMM must be repealed or revoked.

The solution is Regional Senatorial Representation. Minimum of one senator for each of the 18 regions of the Philippines.

Author: Franklin H. Maletsky

The Philippines is already divided into 17 regions with cities, municipalities and provinces within each of the regions. These 17 regions are divided as follows: 7 regions in Luzon, 4 regions in the Visayas, 6 regions in Mindanao.

Each region is already well represented by the house of representatives (congressmen). In fact each province and each chartered and independent city is represented in congress. However, the senate does not represent the regions. The senatorial election is national just as the presidency and vice-presidency are.

Currently (2019-2022) the senate is only represented by one(1) senator from the Visayas, and four(4) from Mindanao. The other 19 senators are from Luzon and 15 of them are from Metro Manila. Do you call this proper representation of the people in the Philippines?

That is where the disparity is. The lack of representation of the far flung barangays. These senators don't care about where they came from. Their election is not dependent upon the support of their local region. They only need the majority vote of the nation. So the senators really do not care about any local stuff. Their focus is always on the bright lights or where the most voters reside. In this case the National Capital Region (Metro Manila). The trend for these senators is also to have a second "permanent" residence in the National Capital Region (Metro Manila). They become so out of touch with the region that he/she originally came from.

Wouldn't it be more uniform if Mindanao had at least 6 senators to represent each of the 6 regions of Mindanao? Even with the 4 current senators from Mindanao, their priority is still not Mindanao. Their priority is still "national" because that is where their attention must be in order to get re-elected. So Mindanao is still left behind. Think about this: 6 senators from Mindanao with full attention towards mindanao and for each one of their region because their re-election will depend on the region that they come from. Their perspective completely changes.

With the current state of affairs a candidate needs millions of pesos to be a senatorial candidate. Because his/her campaign must be nationwide and is only directed at the most populous cities and municipalities to guarantee the most votes. Plus the comelec is prejudiced in the acceptance of certificate of candidacy.

How often have you witnessed the COMELEC declare a provincial senatorial candidate as a nuisance candidate. The comelec is in cahoots with the big time money makers in the metro manila area. Unless the provincial candidate has millions of pesos and big time connections his/her chance for even being accepted by the COMELEC is hopeless.

However, with the mandatory regional senatorial representation the senatorial candidates must come from each of the 17 regions of the Philippines and must maintain his/her residence within the region. Even the poorest region will have a senator to represent them. And their senator will be elected by them and not by voters from another region. The senator will be accountable to voters within the region he/she will represent.

If you are from Davao Region, you are guaranteed one senator. If you are from the Zamboanga Peninsula region, you are guaranteed one senator. If you are from eastern Visayas region, you are guaranteed one senator. Each region must have a minimum of one senator to represent in the legislative branch of the government.

- - - Minimum of one senator per Region. No more imperial Manila.

Each senator will be elected from the region they represent. Senatorial election will no longer be a national election where the rich and popular from the NCR region (metro manila) will dominate the list of candidates. The senatorial election will be regional. The only position that will be elected via national election will be the president and vice-president of the Philippines. The rest will be by region (senators), by province (governors/congressmen), by municipalities/cities (mayors,councilors,congressmen). Senatorial representation by region will have the effect of flattening the power structure. Regional problems and concerns within a national view can be addressed more effectively. A senator's performance, accountability, and electability become meaningful to a more defined and identifiable regional constituency. As an example: The senator for Region VII (Eastern Visayas) will be elected by the registered voters within Region VII (Eastern Visayas) and not by the registered voters of the other regions. The number of senatorial representation for each region will be determined by population, the minimum is one per region.

Currently our senators don't care, they are not held accountable locally.

Let us make the senators accountable for their actions or inability to prosper the nation. With the current political structure the senators think they are immune. Once elected they only think of the capital region of the Philippines. If the senate members are elected from the each of the 17 regions of the Philippines, they will think twice about not properly representing their region.

If they do not represent the region properly they will not be re-elected. They can't get support anywhere else. A senator from Iloilo can't campaign to the people from Cebu for support. Each regional senator to his own region. Accountability will help control the beast.

What Regions are currently represented? There are 17 regions

17 regions as of June 2009: 7 in Luzon, 4 in the Visayas, 6 in Mindanao.

In the 2019 election results, only 9 regions are represented. No wonder the Philippines is messed up! And some of these senators move to the NCR after they win the national election and make it their permanent residence.

Luzon has 18 senators (only 5 of the 7 regions are represented)
- Region I - 1
- Region III - 3
- Region IV-A - 1
- Region V - 2
- NCR = 11
Visayas has 1 senator (only 1 of the 4 regions is represented)
- Region Region VI - 1 : This senator moved to the NCR a long time ago.
Mindanao has 5 senators (only 3 of the 6 regions are represented)
- Region X - 2
- Region XI - 2 These two senators now live in the NCR.
- Region XII - 1

Current Senate Members of the Philippines
1.) Edgardo J. Angara 1987–1998; 2001–2007; 2007-2013; 2013-2019, 2019-2025 Quezon City, NCR Luzon 2.) Maria Lourdes Nancy Sombillo Binay 2013-2019, 2019-2025 Makati, NCR Luzon 3.) Bong Go - 2019-2025 Davao City Region XI Mindanao 4.) PADILLA, ROBIN (PDPLBN) - 2022 - 2028 Mindanao 5.) Bato Dela Rosa - 2019-2025 Davao City Region XI Mindanao 6.) LEGARDA, LOREN - 2022 - 2028 7.) Sherwin Gatchalian 2016-2022, 2022 - 2028 From Valenzuela City - NCR (Luzon) 8.) ESCUDERO, CHIZ - 2022 - 2028 9.) Ana Theresia Hontiveros 2016-2022, 2022 - 2028 From: Manila - NCR (Luzon) 10.) Manuel Lito Lapid 2004-2010; 2010-2016, 2019-2025 Pampanga, Region III Luzon 11.) Imee Marcos - 2019-2025 from Region I Luzon 12.) Pillar "Pia" Juliana Cayetano Sebastian 2004-2010, 2010-2016, 2019-2025 Taguig City, NCR Luzon	13) Francis Tolentino - 2019-2025 from: Albay Region V (Luzon) 14) VILLAR, MARK 2022 - 2028 15.) Mary Grace Poe Llamanzares 2013-2019, 2019-2025 from: NCR Luzon 16.) CAYETANO, ALAN PETER 2022 - 2028 From Mindanao Sarangani Province - Region XII (Mindanao) 17.) ZUBIRI, MIGZ 2022 - 2028 18.) Aquilino "Koko" Martin De La Llana Pimentel III 2013-2019, 2019-2025 Misamis Oriental, Region 10 Mindanao 19.) VILLANUEVA, JOEL TESDAMAN 2022 - 2028 20.) ESTRADA, JINGGOY 2022 - 2028 Quezon City, Metro Manila - NCR Luzon 21.) Bong Revilla, Ramon Jr - 2019-2025 from NCR Luzon 22.) Cynthia "Hanepbuhay" Aguilar Villar 2013-2019, 2019-2025 Las Piñas City, NCR Luzon 23.) EJERCITO, JV ESTRADA 2022 - 2028 From the province of Bulacan - Region III (Luzon) 24.) Juan Miguel Zubiri - 2007–2013; 2016-2022, 2022 - 2028 From Mindanao Bukidnon Province - Region X (Mindanao)

Minimum of one senator per region is better than Federalism

Many are blind to the fact that the Philippines with its unitary form of government is one of the fastest growing nation in the world. We have been lauded as one of the best countries to invest in. Our GDP has been growing steadily and the infrastructure developments have been scaled up in the last decade. The bottom 3 regions who spend more money than it generates have been steadily getting influx of capitalism to improve their economy. If it were a federal form of government these 3 poorest regions (states) will starve. They will not be able to sustain. They are only sustaining and improving now because of our unitary form of government.

Federalism in the Philippines is pushed by four types of People.

The first one is by the Muslims (Moros) because they want an Islamic state of their own. Federalism guarantees them an Islamic State.
The Moros(Muslims) leaders are not satisfied with the ARMM even though it has autonomy. The common people are satisfied with the ARMM but the militias of the ARMM, the MNLF and the MILF are not satisfied. These militias are pushing for federalism because it will give the muslim leaders more control over their people. This federalism is about power and control over the common folks.
The second is by the greedy (Kanya-Kanya) mentality who are also the proponents of political dynasties.
Politics in the Philippines is built out of political dynasties. The current president R. Duterte, comes from a political dynasty. These politicians do not want to relinquish the power that their families have over the people. Federalism guarantees them that their dynasty will not only survive but will in fact grow and prosper. These people push the idea that federalism will allow each state to control their own budget and to control their own destiny for growth. This is their bait. They dangle this apple that is full of greed and selfishness. They do not discuss the fact that the Philippines is currently one of the fastest growing countries in the world. They do not mention this because it will destroy their plan.
The third are the ignorant, the blind followers or the minions of the proponents of this type of federalism in the Philippines.
These minions do not care to be educated about this type of federalism in the Philippines. They think they know federalism. They think that the federalism in other countries will be the same as this one for the Philippines. They do not care to understand that this federalism in the Philippines has the Bangsamoro Islamic State poison pill in it.
The fourth are those who are paid to say yes. They are just chasing MONEY. They will do anything for MONEY.

Four Regions of the Philippines make up 68% of the yearly GDP of the Philippines

Don't be tempted by the push of Federalism. The proponents of Federalism insists that imperial metro manila hogs all the income of the Philippines and that very little is being distributed to the rest of the Philippines. They are even insisting that the money of the poor provinces go to finance Metro Manila. These are all lies. It is in fact the other way around. Metro Manila is financing the poor provinces. The proponents of federalism are twisting the truth and present you with lies.

Here is the top four regions in the Philippines and where their earning capacity relates to the total earnings of the Philippines.

The national capital region (NCR) or metro manila earns 37% of the GDP of the Philippines.
Region IV-A Calabarzon earns 16% of the GDP of the Philippines.
Region III or Central Luzon earns 9% of the GDP of the Philippines.
Region VII (Central Visayas) earns 6% of the GDP of the Philippines.

It does not take a genius to figure out that the politicians of these 4 regions would want to push for federalism. They would get to keep most their money. Currently, their money is being distributed throughout the philippines to help develop the poorer regions who are spending more than what they are earning.

With the unitary form of government the NCR doesn't get to spend all its earnings. Over 40% of its earning are distributed throughout the Philippines. This makes the politicians of the NCR upset.

The federal form of government will be a dream come true for the selfish politicians who do not wish to share their wealth. Is the federal form of government good for all the regions? NO! Economically the bottom 4 will suffer. The ARMM is the poorest of the bottom 4 regions but it does not care because it has a different agenda. Its agenda is not economical. Its agenda is political and religious. The ARMM simply wants to become an Islamic state without care or concern for the other regions.

These 4 regions will SUFFER without Federal Bailout in a Federal form government

These Regions spend more than what they earn. Under the unitary form of government, year in and year out, our central government has been and will continue to infuse money into these regions. Capital infusion continues to develop these regions. But if our form of government will change from the unitary to the federal form of government these 4 regions will have to fend for themselves. Their economic progress will halt. They will concentrate on just trying to survive vs improving infrastructure.

ARMM - Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao : Mindanao
Caraga - REGION XIII : Mindanao
REGION IV-B(MIMAROPA)
REGION 14 Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) in Luzon : Luzon

If you are from these 4 regions, convince your leaders not to support federalism. Under federalism, you will no longer get the support that you have been getting. Your infrastructure development will suffer. If you think you are not getting enough right now, wait till you are under federalism, you will get less.

Here is an example of what the Federalism Greed can do a people

The City of Zamboanga since 1989 has been against the ARMM. When the bangsamoro basic law was introduced in 2007, Zamboanga City was at the forefront campaigning adamantly against the BBL. In 2014 when the Bangsamoro re-surfaced with a great vigor, Zamboanga City again was first in leading the pack against the Bangsamoro.

However, with this new push towards federalism, the majority of the zamboangueños have changed their tune. They are now willing to concede with the idea of allowing the Bangsamoro to have their own state within the federal government, because now they know that they can have their own state too. Greed is now getting the best of the zamboangueños. They are now dreaming of their own state and possibly their own country.

The Philippines is one of the fastest growing countries in the world not because of federalism. The Philippines is a unitary form of government and with good leadership it will continue to grow to be prosperous.

The idea of federalism goes back to General Emilio Aguinaldo in 1898. Even back then Aguinaldo embraced federalism only because of the Moros. The moros wanted an independent state and they promised allegiance to Aguinaldo if he supported the idea of Federalism to give the Muslims an Islamic state.

Federalism is embraced by the Bangsamoro and the ARMM. The Moros(Muslims) already have 5 provinces inside the ARMM. The ARMM has autonomy. It is self-governed. It receives over 30 billion pesos per year. It does not report to the DILG like all the other regions do. The ARMM only answers to the president of the Philippines. But why are they still clamoring for a Bangsamoro Islamic State? Why aren't the Muslims(Moros) happy with the ARMM?

Here are the main reasons why:

The ARMM can't impose sharia law in all the 5 provinces. The Philippine government prevents them from doing so. This makes the Muslims upset. What is this autonomy good for if shariah does not rule? The muslims want sharia to govern them and not the laws of the Philippines.
The ARMM is only a Republic Act and therefore it can be revoked or repealed. If ever a president gets pissed off enough at the ARMM he can simply convince congress to revoke or repeal the ARMM. Then poof! No more ARMM. No more happy times for the Muslims. But if the ARMM becomes the Bangsamoro State in a federal form of government, it will be permanent. The Philippines can no longer take it away from them. This even gives them the ability to secede to form a country of their own when disagreements with the federal government goes unresolved. Besides they already have their own militias, the MILF and the MNLF.
As long as Islam in the Philippines remains under the umbrella of the Philippine government (unitary or federalism), the Muslims will never bend to the will of the Philippine law. All Muslims know this: Islam is the priority. Their religion comes first. Nothing should stand in the way. Philippine history proves this and current events continue to prove this.