The first step to a political reboot: Abolish Congress

In a report written in the context of the flood control scandal, the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) made a striking conclusion: the country’s bicameral system has become so dysfunctional that it may be time to dissolve both the Senate and Congress and replace them with a single parliament.

The PIDS laid bare six compelling reasons for its recommendation, each an indictment of the broken bicameral system.

First, the current system is built on self-interest and impunity. Why? Because lawmakers craft the very budget they later benefit from. It is, in essence, a budget made by congressmen – and too often, stolen by congressmen.

Second, corruption has spiraled out of control. Independent watchdogs estimate that the country loses between P700 billion and P1.4 trillion annually to corruption – much of it instigated or abetted by lawmakers themselves. Over a decade, this translates to trillions lost – funds that could have financed modern infrastructure, transformational education or a more substantive national health care system.

Third, numerous senators and congressmen have been convicted or are currently persons of interest for corruption. Corrupt officials cannot have a hand in budget preparation. Corrupt officials cannot investigate themselves. Corrupt officials do not deserve the power, privilege and subsidies that the state provides.

Fourth, corruption fuels patronage and this erodes the political system.

Fifth, congressional oversight is virtually non-existent. Investigations usually stall because the investigators are themselves guilty and are afraid of being implicated.

Sixth, representation is unequal. The Senate remains dominated by Luzon elites, marginalizing the Visayas and Mindanao.

A political reboot

Those familiar with my writings know that I have been calling for a political reboot since early 2025. Abolishing the bicameral structure in favor of a parliamentary system is the first step in this process. It is one part of a broader restructuring.

Apart from a shift to a parliamentary system, a political reboot requires strengthening the ombudsman, Sandiganbayan and Commission on Audit to ensure that these institutions have true independence and fangs. The justice system needs to be reformed too, so that it can deliver decisions swiftly and impartially. The same with the police force since justice reform is incomplete without a straight and strong police to enforce it.

Add to this comprehensive electoral reforms that include building stronger political parties, strict campaign finance rules and the replacement of the compromised Comelec that exists today. This is needed for a genuinely independent electoral authority.

Above all, the reboot must be anchored on nothing less than a genuine ethics revolution. This means imposing mandatory integrity standards among government workers (eg. SALN declarations), professionalizing the civil service and establishing robust protections for whistleblowers.

Just as importantly, ethical formation must start early – school curricula must instill integrity, civic responsibility and respect for the public good from the very beginning.

But perhaps the most urgent structural reform is to confront political dynasties.

The dynasty cancer

One of the most compelling reasons to abolish the Senate and Congress is the explosion of political dynasties in both chambers. In the House, a whopping 84 percent of its members are part of political dynasties. In the Senate, 17 out of the 24 are part of dynasties.

The very existence of dynasties weakens governance, exacerbates corruption and worsens income inequality. They are a cancer that must be excised. These are the ways in which they damage the system:

On governance. When one family controls multiple local positions, governing becomes a family enterprise. The preservation of power – not development – becomes the primary objective. Painful but necessary reforms are avoided because they threaten political longevity. Populist projects replace long-term planning. Budgets are channeled towards fiestas, funerals and basketball courts instead of social and economic development.

On fair elections. For dynasties, elections are a formality. For newcomers, they are nearly impossible. Dynasties control political machineries, have deep pockets and the advantages of incumbency. The playing field is so skewed to the dynasty’s favor that many talented Filipinos don’t even attempt to run. It is why a 21-year-old scion with no experience can become a congressman while professionals with doctorates are pushed aside. The result is a Congress of low intellectual caliber and corrupted values.

On competence. Competence does not automatically improve from one generation to the next. Within families that enjoy generational privilege, work ethic and innovation often decline. Management practices become inbred. Bad habits multiply. Fresh ideas die. Over time, governance quality deteriorates.

On wealth generation and corruption. Political dynasties leverage their positions to consolidate economic power. Whether through government contracts or influence-peddling, they enjoy unfair advantages. In many cases, political authority becomes indistinguishable from business interest.

On inequality and dependency. Dynasties exacerbate inequality and sustain a culture of dependence. The poor rely on political patrons, while those patrons consolidate wealth and influence. This is why the most dynastic provinces are also among the poorest.

The case for bicameral dissolution

The PIDS recommendation is not radical; it is rational. Why? Because dissolving the Senate and Congress will disrupt dynastic capture, dismantle the machinery of corruption and open space for a new political class grounded on merit, professionalism and transparency.

A parliamentary system will shift power towards political parties instead of families, promote accountability through confidence votes and reduce the incentive for transactional politics that thrives under our current system.

Most of all, it will force the Philippines to finally confront its structural problems instead of doing a patchwork of reforms.

We are at a crossroads today. We can continue tolerating a political system designed to benefit the political elite or we can begin the difficult but necessary work of rebuilding the system correctly.

Abolishing the Senate and Congress is not the end goal. It is the starting point of a long overdue transformation.

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Email: [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @aj_masigan