Between Revolutionary Government and Mindanao Independence “We are now faced in this dilemma.”

According to Archit. Chito Gavino III, a member of the Kilos-Pederal Para sa Pagbabago, the Filipino people are now confronted with two courses of action. One is to support a Revolutionary Government to shift to a Federal-Parliamentary Constitution for adoption of our people via nationwide plebiscite say in 2019 which this action will be good for the Philippines; And the other is to be forced to accept a No-Federal-Parliamentary Constitution and face a strong revival of the Mindanao Independence Movement (MIM) after the term of President Rodrigo Duterte in 2022 wherein this course of action will surely not be good for the nation.

Moreover, Gavino stressed out in a press conference at SM Ecoland, Davao City just this month, the Filipinos need to choose what actions to take. “Hindi ka makakapunta sa paroroonan mo kung di ka pipili sa dalawang daan na yan. There is no other way. Saang daan ang pipiliin niyo.”

The ones that will change our constitution is the Congress sitting as a Constituent assembly. “Sa constitution nagsasabi bago mo mapasa ang isang bagong constitution kailangan mo ng ¾ votes,” he said.

He added that “Out of 23, 17 votes ang kailangan para makapasa,” but he was dismayed that 11 Senators on his list do not want constitutional reform and federalism.

Furthermore, he explained that if there are no constitutional change/reform, or no federal system then the MIM will lead to Mindanao Secession wherein this so-called MIM was a secessionist political organization in the Philippines.

Datu Udtog Matalam who is a former governor of Cotabato, issued a Manifesto for the declaration of the MIM that sought for an independent Muslim state from the Philippines comprising Mindanao, Sulu, and Palawan regions.

“Ang daan ng Federalism in a democratic way is the best way for our nation and people. Sapagkat sa tingin ko mas delikado ang tinatawag na Mindanao Secession Movement which will break up the whole Philippines,” he added.

Gavino is still hoping for a bigger chance that Federalism will pass because President Duterte promised to make this happen, “only President Duterte ang nagpromise na gagawin nya yan.”

“This is the golden opportunity for us to have a federal system, but it seems that the only way is through a revolutionary government in a democratic way,” he added.

Gavino said that the only way is for the people to choose the democratic way to declare the revolutionary government especially that there are increasing federals groups today.

Moreover, he promised to release his draft on how to declare revolutionary government in a democratic way. “Ine-encode ngayon at sooner or later ibibigay ko sainyo yan. Step by step kung papano ang dapat gawin so that it must be in a democratic way.” (Patricia Dave Teoxon | HCDC Intern)