Deepening the Discourse on Federalism
Round-table Discussion on Information Activities on Federalism
As 2019 slowly draws to a close, the Pimentel Institute for Leadership and Governance (PILG) invited members of the Federalism Core Group to a round-table discussion (RTD) in Makati City. Amongst those present were participants who came as far as the Northern Mindanao Region.
The activity began with an acknowledgement of the legacy of the late Senator Aquilino Q. Pimentel, Jr., widely referred to in the Philippines as “The Father of Federalism” in the information drive on federalism in the country as well as the achievements through the PILG-HSF partnership with him as the PILG Chair until October 2019. The PILG’s President, Atty. Gwendolyn P. Gana, led a review of the results achieved and an exchange on possible improvements and a discussion on the next steps forward. The group explored possible ideas for future activities in support of the information dissemination on federalism and the Bayanihan Federalism Constitution, and more specifically, the plan of activities for 2020.
Federalism Core Group meeting on 21 March 2019
HSF
Since 2016, the PILG and the Hanns Seidel Foundation (HSF) have been working together towards increasing the awareness of the general public about federalism such as through fora, round-table discussions and dialogue activities. All activities are strictly informational in nature and are apolitical and non-partisan.
Additionally, support has been provided for participation of representatives in the Delegation to Germany on Federalism in 2016, in the Munich International Federalism Days 2017, in the EURAC Research - Winter School on Federalism and Governance each year from 2017-2019 and the Canterbury Christ Church University - Politics Summer School for 2019. The main objective has been to provide the participants with broader and deeper knowledge of the philosophy and the principles of federalism as a form of government and impart the goals, methods and organisation of federal countries across the globe and help provide the opportunity to gain a better and more comprehensive understanding of federalism.
These participants now comprise the pool of core group members/experts who, equipped with increased knowledge on federalism, help in the continuing further dissemination of salient features and principles on federalism, promoting public awareness and understanding on the topic and help in the creation of a unique form of federalism that is best suited to the Philippine context.
International Munich Federalism Days 2019
HSF
With the completion of the Bayanihan Federalism Constitution by the Consultative Committee to revise the 1987 Constitution last July 2018, efforts to help disseminate information and initiate discussions have focused on the Draft Charter. Last 30 October 2019, two half-day fora on federalism and the Bayanihan Federalism Constitution were held in Malaybalay City, Province of Bukidnon. Based on the feedback from the participants, more information activities are in order.
It was a fruitful RTD and it was agreed upon that the HSF-PILG partnership will continue to pursue the objective of helping to increase the knowledge of the general public about federalism through the conduct of information activities and possible publication of information, education and communication materials. The PILG will present a 2020 Plan of Activities during the next Federalism Core Group meeting planned to be held early 2020.
The activity was organised by the PILG with the support of the Hanns Seidel Foundation as part of the PILG-HSF partnership on the program, “Increasing public awareness on the federal system of government” which was begun in 2017.