Anything Under the Sun
Unitary versus Federal (1)
Last time, we had compared the presidential and the parliamentary systems of government. This time, let's see the distinctions between the unitary and the federal systems.
Both systems, just like in the presidential government operates on the principles of separation of powers and checks and balances. The main differences between them lies more on the extent of presidential and congressional powers vis-a-vis local governments.
In the unitary form like ours, the President has really vast powers. He exercises control and supervision of all local governments--regional, provincial, city, municipal and barangay.
He exercises these powers thru his cabinet whose tenure of office depends on his pleasure. They can be removed with or without cause. They are considered the alter egos of the President.
Thus, the President has under him the entire local governments, all military and police forces, all tax collection agencies, all fiscal agencies (banks), all health agencies, all prosecution agencies, all health and social welfare agencies, all natural resources agencies and labor. He can also declare war and national emergencies and use emergency and military powers during war, rebellion, revolution and terrorism.
Likewise, Congress has also more fiscal powers and control over taxation while the local governments (Sangguniang Panlalawigan, Sangguniang Panglunsod and Barangay Council) are weak ones with limited powers.
These are the chief characteristics of the unitary government like ours - a powerful Presidential and a powerful Congress.
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SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: The first set of five booklets (Books 1 to 5) of West Visayas Beautiful and Wonderful authored by this writer is now available at P500 at his office address at No. 4, Santa Ana St., Molo, Iloilo City 5000 (Tel. No. 337-3045). We are starting the second set (Books 6-10) this January.