Federalism, autonomy and peace agreements
T he new administration draw its political campaign espousing federalism as an alternative to republican, unitary and presidential system of government. Critics of the current form of government contended that restructuring the bureaucracy is necessary alleging that the present system is antiquated and the distribution of wealth is disproportionately favorable only to Manila. Other Mindanaoan legislators backed the campaign eyeing federalism as suitable for multicultural, diverse peoples and as remedy to protracted insurgency. This brings serious question whether or not federalism is indeed the correct cure to the problems besetting this country? The latter question presuppose a major inquiry—what really is the problem of the Philippines? Is federalism, as an alternative, compatible to the Bangsamoro quest for right to self-determination in accordance to the Comprehensive Agreement of the Bangsamoro? Are the regional constituents politically mature enough amid co