Where we left off on Charter change

Sometime before the campaign for the May 10 elections went on full swing, a parallel effort in Congress was pushing for a constitutional convention for Charter change. Discussions and debate took place on committee level headed by La Union Representative Victor Ortega.

The committee voted in favor and a report was made. It was while waiting for the report to move to plenary discussions that the whole effort was stopped to make room for the May 10 elections. In other words, the decision was made yet again that issue of Charter change will not be brought to the people for their ratification.

In the days that followed we were besieged by election fever with ABS-CBN and ANC leading the pack for setting aside any discussion or effort for Charter change. I used to hear from responsible politicians and government officials that the prospects were bright for Charter change and possibly the election of delegates would be scheduled simultaneously with the barangay elections. The American ambassador then, Kristie Kenney lent the weight of her position as her government’s representative here calling for honest elections. (CNP: Read — no Charter change)

Serious advocates for Charter change seem to believe that it will be different this time. As I said in a previous column, “hope does spring eternal”.

I have written in this column more than once that it is not possible to amend the Constitution unless we amend its provision for amendment. It is a very real predicament. We can try harder but all efforts will be useless. It is time to accept that legitimate efforts had failed and advocates should begin thinking of new strategies.

Better to change course at this time and re-think our strategies. The Aquino government, like previous governments will not touch it. Instead of wasting our time with useless debates in the face of an implacable administration, let us put our heads together and confront the problem.

Before Charter change was given up in the 14th Congress, I was told by a humble member of the staff for the committee for constitutional amendments that we should perhaps consider another people’s initiative. But this time its purpose is to correct the amendment provision of the Constitution so it would be possible for Congress to formulate the proposal for amendment for the people’s ratification.

The staff member of the committee said this time it would be easier to explain the initiative to the electorate because it would rest only on one word: jointly or separately? When Congress debates the amendments should it be done jointly or separately. Unless we did this the Senate of the 15th Congress would yet again block any moves from the lower House.

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More people should read a very interesting article in defense of Charter change in this country. It comes from a blog entitled Philippine Progress: Shift in Sports, Shift in System. Those who would like to read it should go <http://www.facebook.com/l/0c30ao1TUtF7fUWMDK8Hnw-Aysug;antipinoy.com/philippineprogress>.

It is extensive and carefully researched but too long to include in this column. I can only draw excerpts but it would be a pity if it were not read in full and shared with more readers. Moreover the article is not boring even if it is on a very serious subject on which hangs the fate of our country.

The title alone is a good inkling of what the author or authors want to do – popularize the topic by connecting the growing popularity of soccer in the Philippines to Charter change that would shift us from the presidential system to the parliamentary system.

This is especially relevant today when once the presidential system has failed us yet again in bringing in competent and good governance. What are we to do – ask the many, both young and old, who seek solutions to the vicious cycle of our politics. We need to change our Constitution and shift to parliamentary system of government. Here’s why said the author:

“Basketball and the presidential system are problematic American imports. There is absolutely no doubt that an objective and honest discussion on the merits of soccer over basketball most certainly parallels the discussion on the merits of a Parliamentary System over the Presidential System <http://antipinoy.com/the-philippines-road-ahead-part-1-changing-the-system-of-government> .

Both basketball and the Presidential System are largely American inventions which they brought along with them during the almost 50 years that they occupied our country and we Filipinos took to both of them as if they were our own.

Unfortunately, both basketball and the Presidential System have pre-requisites that Americans often meet which Filipinos don’t: Basketball inherently favors height for a player to be considered eligible for competitive play because the hoops are high. On the other hand, the Presidential System requires that the electorate be naturally issues-centric and platform-oriented in order to counterbalance the inherent personality-centered exercise of voting for a presidential candidate.”

“Incidentally, both basketball and the Presidential System have brought failure to Filipinos:

Basketball has shattered the dreams and self-esteem of millions of young Filipinos who’ve continued to aspire to be just like their idols Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Michael Jordan, or Kobe Bryant, practicing basketball for hours on end, only to be rendered ineligible for competitive basketball all because they were too short. On the other hand, the current Philippine Presidential System (based on the 1987 Constitution) has shattered the lives of millions of Filipinos who — because the system favors candidate winnability (popularity, and name-recall) over competence and a sound platform for governance — often end up with leaders who merely have popularity but no competence.

Sometimes we end up with leaders and lawmakers who have no choice but to pander to the public instead of focusing on doing what is the correct and beneficial course of action in the long-term, even if it may appear to be unpopular in the short-term.

Most politicians with presidential ambitions (except for a select few) therefore tend to focus too much on short-term popularity by engaging in publicity stunts in order to have the name-recall and media attention they need just to have a stab at the Presidency when the time comes to run for it.

In the end, Philippine Society as well as its Government is often unable to make the hard decisions necessary that would bring about a better economy, more jobs, more prosperity, and more improvements to the lives of the people, all because the focus on popularity-based personality-politics always manages to derail society away from focusing on the most important aspects of governance.”