Letter to the Editor – A shift to Parliamentary system spells doom for the Philippines

Danger awaits all Filipinos once our country shifts to a parliamentary system of government.

1) A parliamentary government is a system where you can govern even if the people do not like you.

In a parliamentary system, traditional political leaders are able to govern without term limits, strengthening the rule of dynasties and political oligarchs in our country.

We lose our right to choose our head of government in a parliamentary system. Championing the interests of poor and marginalized Filipinos is the least priority of traditional politicians who dominate the Executive and Legislative branches.

2) The Presidential system of government is an improvement of the parliamentary system. The United States of America is the oldest, most stable and most powerful state in the world today. Since 1776, when the Americans revolted against the British colonizers, the United States of America improved the parliamentary system of government of their colonizers when they established the Presidential, bicameral form of government.

3) If the Constitution is changed, its impeachment provision will be removed as a consequence. No more 1987 Constitution, no more impeachable offense. No fundamental law, no fundamental crime. The current administration will be absolved of all culpable violations of the Constitution.

4) All successful parliamentary systems have a bicameral legislative structure. Under a bicameral system, each chamber is prevented from abusing their respective powers and authority. Countries like Australia, Canada, Germany, France, United Kingdom, Japan and Switzerland are sterling examples of economic growth and democracy. These countries have a bicameral parliamentary system of government.

5) Parliamentary governments lack a system of checks and balances. Without a system of checks and balances, unicameral systems of government can impose higher taxes on the people and create anti-poor and anti-people measures. A unicameral parliament has a strong tendency to become an authoritarian regime such as those in some African and South American countries. A unicameral parliamentary system is nothing but a rubber stamp legislature of traditional politicians who want to perpetuate themselves in power.

The separation of powers in presidential governments is not intended to create political gridlocks in a presidential system, the system of checks and balances preserves the delicate configuration of powers and maintains the independence of each institution which in turn prevents the abuse of power from each of the branches of government.

Therefore, we Filipinos must realize that constitutional reform will not solve our nation's political turmoil. Any initiative or campaign to amend the Constitution must not be divorced from a discussion of equally important reforms in our political and electoral systems.

Our political leaders must demonstrate the highest sense of credibility and accountability to the people for them to succeed in facilitating genuine reforms.

Good and effective leadership is the key to ensure political and economic stability.

We need leaders who are God-fearing, pro-people and are unimpeachable examples of servant leadership.

Filipinos today are more intelligent, empowered and vigilant. Our collective strength can defeat all false premises, false hopes and false prophecies created by the proponents of "Cha-Cha."

Charter change is not the real change that we Filipino deserve.

Any change most assures shifts towards the achievement of a politics with a vision and a government that upholds social justice and ensures transparent and accountable governance.

Vicente C. Sotto III
Former Senator
Republic of the Philippines