Local Governments and Autonomous Territories

Aside from federalism, we could also adopt a highly devolved local government system (the same that is being used in UK in relation to Scotland and Northern Island, Spain).

In the case of the Philippines, the tier of local government may be revised into: Regions, Metropolises/Cities, Barangays. Provincial governments may be disbanded since it would only duplicate the tasks that may be vested in the Regions. This would reduce bureaucracy in the local scene and promote austerity.

Each Region must have a Premier (the President’s counterpart), an Executive (the Cabinet’s counterpart) led by a First Minister (the Prime Minister’s counterpart). Regional legislative power is vested in a Legislative Assembly composed of such Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) coming from parliamentary constituencies. In UK devolved assemblies, elections are done via block-voting (e.g. 6 MLAs per constituency). The Singaporean Parliament implements a similar system wherein constituencies return an MP and another group of MPs called “Group Representation Constituencies”. Judicial powers retain in a centralized court system.

Regional governments and assemblies are entitled to decide on issues, except of inter-regional or national matters: Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries and Food; Tourism, Culture, Media and Sport; limited Economic Policy (regional taxation, etc.); Development; Education; Environment; local police force and Home Affairs; Local Government and Housing; Social Services; limited Trade and Industry (inward investments, promotion, etc.); and Transport.

Metropolises are those dubbed as “highly-industrialized cities” today. The same strong mayor-council may be used for metropolises and cities. The number of seats in the Council is fixed rather than today wherein the same depends on the number of electoral districts the city is composed.

Obviously, Metropolises and Cities are much bigger in this type of system. Current municipalities and lower-class cities may be dissolved and merged with metropolises or upper-class cities.

The same system for barangays will be used.

SK must be abolished. Sectoral MLAs or members of metropolis, city and barangay councils (for Youth, Labor Unions, Right group, etc.) will be appointed by the Premier, the Mayor and the Captain, respectively. They must be non-partisan and be selected from among nominations made by the people or organizations belonging to the same sector of representation.