Fil C. Sionil There’s apprehension in the air on the proposed change in the country’s system of government from the current form to federal, a campaign promise of President Duterte. From what I gather in the business sector, despite the flaws, the preference is still “imperial Manila” while others support the shift as they view that “it’s time for change regardless of the difficulties and the risks” the shift in the political power entails.” While the change in the balance of power from national down to the regions, 18 in all, under federalism, has yet to be hammered out in its entirety, it gives the market a bit of a fright. A “fiscal nightmare!.” What has captured the attention of market analysts and players is the number of politicians the country will have. Under the federal system as proposed, there will be 36 senators and 400 congressmen. I do believe that what the Duterte administration needs is an ambassador, an endorser who will fully explain the minute details of the federal system government. With his boy-next-door look, presidential political adviser Francis Tolentino can very well fit the job – the poster boy of federalism. In my recent trip to Singapore and Malaysia, I bumped into Mr. Francis at the airport. He, too, was going to Singapore en route to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to join the President in watching the world welterweight title fight between international boxing icon turned politician Sen. Manny Pacquiao and Lucas Matthysee as well as accompany the Chief Executive’s in his meeting with Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad. This unassuming, soft-spoken gentleman took a commercial flight ahead of the presidential delegation. While waiting for our flight, I took advantage of the time to interview Mr. Francis. “I can be the poster boy of federalism,” he admits. Undaunted by the tasks ahead, this former Metro Manila Development Authority governor can fully enlighten doubting Thomases on the pros and cons of federalism. His background speaks for itself. He’s a local politician – having been appointed as one of the youngest officer-in-charge of Tagaytay during the administration of President Corazon C. Aquino and ran unopposed for mayor of Tagaytay. For him, Tagaytay is a microcosm of devolution from a mere municipality of Cavite to a sprawling city with all the developments. He has the patience of a teacher, a requirement to clarify the fine print of federalism, being a professor of legal management at Ateneo University and member of the Faculty of Law and Jurisprudence of Centro Escolar University. And has a legal mind, having practiced law not only here but also in the US. He passed the New York State Bar exams in 1991 and thereafter worked at the Freeman Law Office in the City that Never Sleeps. He’s a member of the New York County Lawyers Association, American Bar Association, and Integrated Bar of the Philippines. He has a Master of Laws from the University of London, specializing in Public International Law. Aside from all these, he’s military reservist with a rank of Colonel, Philippine Army, having earned a Master of National Security Administration (MNSA) from the National Defense College of the Philippines and studied at the Military College of South Carolina, in the US. Now, I’m convinced! He’s confident he can very well do the responsibility should the “poster boy of federalism” be given him despite having so much on his plate already. Before we parted, I inquired about his political plans. Mr. Francis affirmed he is again trying his luck to run as senator this mid-term election. Talk back to me at [email protected]