Former IBP-Leyte head bats for 2-party system

TACLOBAN CITY — The Philippine Constitution should be amended to provide for a two-party system that would effectively eliminate political dynasty, according to lawyer Alberto Hidalgo, former president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines-Leyte chapter.

Hidalgo, a native of Carigara town in Leyte, blamed the multi-party system and the absence of party’s  conventions as the causes of political dynasty now prevailing in Philippine politics.

“Our politics should be, like before, a two-party system. But our Constitution provides for a multi-party system, preventing the Comelec from compelling all other parties to align with the administration party or the dominant opposition,” he told The Freeman.

Hidalgo further contended: “Because we do not have a president that is (elected by) majority but only by plurality, the one-and-a-half year prior to the presidential elections becomes the “balimbing” months or the coalition period.”

With the restoration of the two-party system, Hidalgo said the Comelec can compel political hopefuls to align with either the administration party or the dominant opposition.

Following such coalitions, conventions will be held subsequently where all standard bearers in the national and local political race must be compelled to disclose their plans and whom they will field for the lower positions, he said.

“This will provide the opportunity for the whole political party to scrutinize the plans of the standard bearer if they conform to the agreed party or the coalition’s political ideology and minimize the possibility of fielding family members and relatives of the mayoral, gubernatorial or national candidate,” said Hidalgo.

Hidalgo also said the two-party system will give chance to others and not confine the opportunity to hold elective position to just one family, he added.

Another Leyteño lawyer, who asked not to be named, regretted that elections these years are personality-based, the reason why political conventions are no longer pursued by political parties to select their bets.

Hidalgo commented further that conventions should be made part of the country’s electoral process to eliminate political dynasty. It is about time that a law shall be passed strictly requiring the conduct of political party conventions as part of the country’s electoral process.

“The Comelec by administrative circular can actually direct this,” he said, adding that the underlying factor in all these is “political will.” (FREEMAN)