Faune-Locsin Talk on Federalism by: James U. Sy Jr.

Mary Jane Faue-Locsin, Visayas Coordinator of Hugpong Federal and a close aide of President Duterte, as guest speaker, talked about federalism during the Task Force Crusaders Against Crime, Illegal Drugs, and Corruption Grand Launching on August 20, 2016 at the Grand Regal Hotel (James U. Sy Jr./NDB photo). Mary Jane Faune-Locsin of Janiway, Iloilo, Visayas Coordinator of Hugpong Federal and a close aide of President Duterte, was the guest speaker during the Task Force Crusaders Against Crime, Illegal Drugs, and Corruption Grand Launching was by the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) under Hon. Atty. Jose Calida in cooperation with Kasanag Foundation Inc. under Founder/President John Chiong under the auspices of the Office of the President under President Rodrigo Duterte on August 20, 2016 at the Imperial Hall, Grand regal Hotel, Araneta St., Bacolod City. She spoke on the nature and structure of federalism, which according to her, was being pushed by the president even when he was still the mayor of Davao City. President Duterte plans to create a Constitutional Commission in September that will work out the transition Philippines into a federal government. Faune-Locsin explained the advantages of federalism, highlighting the fact that in this form of government power is decentralized from the national (federal) government), thereby allowing greater flexibility, and increases the revenue of the local (state) government. Only 20% of the taxes will go to the federal government; the rest stays with the state. Faune-Locsin noted that the USA, Canada, and Australia use this form of government. Under the federal form of government, the federal government will only have control over national defense, foreign affairs, natural resources, and customs and immigration. The state meanwhile, can institute their own economic policies and will have their own constitution, judiciary, and police force. A state can be defined based on its geography, culture, and language among other things, according to Faune-Locsin. She adds that the Philippines can solve the unequal distribution of wealth, The other guest speaker for the grand launching was bemedalled PNP Gen. (Ret.) Romeo Maganto, Ph.D. in Criminology, Consultant of the OSG and National Commander of the Task Force Crusaders, who talked about the crime situation in the Philippines. Gracing the event were PO2 (Ret.) Rex Noble, TFC Regional Commander; John Chiong, TFC Deputy Commander and National Secretariat, and concurrent Commander for Western Visayas; TFC deputies and volunteer-members from Negros Island Region, Iloilo, Cebu, Biliran, and Cagayan de Oro; Gloria Villamin, Project Implementor/Coordinator-Talisay; Lilia Matti, Project Implementor/Coordinator-Bago; Pastor Winston Villanueva, KASANAG Head Organizer; Edith A. Riofrer, KASANAG VP-Operation/Coop Chairman; emcee Gil Alfredo B. Severino, M.A., a UP-Diliman trained educator teaching at Riverside College; Sarah C. Villan, usherette; and the Bacolod media.