‘Kusog Mindanaw’ pushes for federalism

DAVAO CITY — Socio-political leaders, belonging to the Kusog Mindanaw group, are strongly pushing for a shift from the existing unitary and centralized form of government to federalism as a solution to the present political crisis the country is experiencing.

"The federal alternative is a potentially effective solution that proceeds from a kind of a win-win formula where the fundamental demands of the contending parties are met without anyone losing face or conceding major non-negotiable points," said Rey Teves, executive director of Kusog Mindanao.

Teves said transforming the Philippine government into a federal government such as that of Germany, Malaysia, Australia and the United States, will meet such criteria.

Teves added that under a federal system, the Philippines can be reconstituted into any appropriate number of states, each one having its own constitution to address its peculiar and particular diversities. — Edith Regalado