Davide recommends package of electoral reforms to GMA

Former Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. has recommended the implementation of massive electoral and political reforms in the move to amend the 1987 Constitution, Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said yesterday.

Bunye said Davide, in his current capacity as presidential adviser for electoral reforms, recommended to President Arroyo that proposals to limit the terms of elective officials and impose sanctions against switching political loyalties be pursued.

Davide also pushed for a stronger party system, Bunye said.

The former Chief Justice asked Congress and the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to craft changes in the Omnibus Election Code, as well as for the Executive branch "to improve public awareness about their role in bringing about credible and meaningful elections."

"The combined implementation of all his (Davide’s) recommendations will lead to credible and honest elections at all times and in all levels, as well as a more educated and vigilant voting population," Bunye said.

Mrs. Arroyo earlier tasked Davide to submit his recommendation designed to overhaul what she had described as the country’s "dysfunctional political system."

Davide had proposed the Constitution, being a rigid law, should be amended for flexibility.

He proposed the terms of office of congressmen and local chief executives be fixed to four years and the holding of elections de-synchronized and set on different dates.

Under the present political set-up, elections are held every three years.

Davide said appointing elective officials to any government position should be banned during the duration of the term of the elected official.

The former chief magistrate also called on Congress to strictly define political dynasties and implement harsh sanctions against it.

Among the recommendations Davide made include the adoption of certain electoral reforms as proposed by the consultative commission, including the adoption of a two-party system, providing financial assistance to the political parties on basis of their share of the votes cast, and prohibiting financial contributions from foreign governments.

For the Comelec, Bunye said, the Davide report recommended the poll body should amend its Rules of Procedures to allow the mandatory raffle of cases and mandatory deliberation (en banc or division) of a case before the assignment to a ponente for the writing of opinion.

The report recommended to the Comelec to allow shorter periods for legal remedies for a more expeditious disposition of poll cases.

The Comelec should also adopt a new rule abolishing the municipal canvass of election returns insofar as national candidates are concerned.

"Our political past is replete with anecdotes of poll protest cases being resolved only a few months or weeks before the advent of another election thus giving the genuine winner little chance to savor his or her victory," Davide said.

The Comelec should also undertake capacity-building programs to professionalize its senior staff and improve its internal management processes, Davide said.

The Davide report recommended the imposition of higher penalties for all election offenses.

"I agree with this proposal in light of perennial violations in the posting of election paraphernalia including streamers, billboards, stickers, and posters," Bunye said. "When elections are over, the people, not the candidates, are left with the gargantuan task of cleaning up their neighborhoods of unsightly posters and stickers that are often put up by the campaign staff of national and local candidates while everyone is fast asleep," he added.

Bunye said Davide in the report recommended the Department of Education (DepEd) include in its curriculum a subject on elections.

Davide also proposed the creation of a Committee on Electoral Reforms, which will be composed of representatives from the Office of the President, the Senate, the House of Representatives, and the Comelec.