Now that I have your attention, I am not proposing abolishing the office of President of the Philippines, but abolishing the partisan political character of it.
Unlike in the past like in the Commonwealth, the Philippine Presidency is no longer unifying and constructive but damagely and dangerously divisive. (Proof: It takes the funeral of a beloved but dead ex president to unite the nation!) If our presidents were elected without a shred of doubt on their legitimacy, then the presidency would be unifying. However one of the major defect of the 1987 Constitution is that our President can be elected on a plurality and in a culture that we Pinoys have, this almost translates to a questionable legitimacy. It is likely that a new president is a minority one and may spend a huge time in cobbling a coalition. In a cabinet system, this is often the case since the executive led by the Prime Minister has in theory has no term limit. Our presidents are limited to one six year term and much money will have to be distributed to build this coalition.
The temptation to extend the 6 year term is almost irresistable. Only the late Mrs Corazon Aquino sang “I will not run again!” and she did mean it. The present Malacanang tenant said she won’t run in 2004 but flipped flopped and she did run claiming the traditional (and to me somewhat sexist) female privilage of changing one’s mind. She won the election but the Hello Garci scandal cast a huge shadow on her legitimacy.
Mrs Aquino is probably the most non-political political president we ever had. Some wags who count as my good friends suggested that she be Queen (and she would fit the role picture perfectly) and dump our republican ambitions in the trash can. However I said the purpose of a monarchy is to secure the succession since that would make the kingdom viable. If Mrs Aquino were queen, then the succession would fall on her oldest son if the law is for a male only succession. That would be Noynoy! That made the wags gag! So they suggested that the succession would run through the youngest daughter. So if the wags had their way, we would be shouting today
The Queen is dead, long live the Queen! Long live Queen Kris!
The wags I think would still gag! Nonetheless we are not casting an aspersion to Ms Kris Aquino but the whole idea of having a monarchy. Ms Aquino has chosen a career in a business characterised by character assasination and she survived it well. She isn’t definitely the airhead that many said she was. And methinks she has inherited the political savvy of dad Ninoy. The press reports that she will continue her mother’s political advocacies. A run for office seems to be on the horizon. I bet my last peso she would win. Will she be another Mrs Gloria Arroyo in following her parent’s footstep?
But I think Kris and the rest of us would agree that a monarchy is a silly idea. But how can we save the Philippine Presidency?
If we still want a political president, let’s make sure that we have a majority president every time we elect one. the 1987 Constitution should be amended that would require a run off if none of the candidates get a 50% majority on the first run.
If we want a non-political presidency, we can have Congress or Parliament elect him from their own kind (as the 1973 Constitution mandates). However being a creature of Parliament, he/she may be just a puppet and perhaps we are right. The 1973 charter hardly vests any reserve power to the President.
Section VI, Article 6 of the 1973 Constitution lists the Powers of the President. The President has no powers to sack the PM but can dissolve parliament. But he/she can only do so if advised by the PM. The President isn’t even commander-in-chief of the armed forces. In the UK and most other monarchies and republics that follow the Westminster system, the Monarch or non-political President is CinC.
So I think the public may consider a non-political president with more powers than the 1973 Constitution vests. President Marcos in his amendments to the charter made the office of the President and PM in one until Cesar Virate was appointed in 1981.
And probably the public will definitely want to directly elect the president . However if we do have a shift to a cabinet system, the public will I think insist that the President would be no puppet of the PM. If Mrs Arroyo is wise enough and assuming she still wants to be a PM, she should think twice.
After Mrs Arroyo’s term, I think the office of the Presidency is in an important crossroads. It is very likely that the present presidential system of government will be modified into a cabinet system with a strong President and a very executive PM. But will the nation’s body politic unify under this arrangement? Fortunately we have the history of the Marcos years to look back on.
Popularity: 1% [?]
You say what GMA has said — the 1987 Constitution needs changes.
“Plurality-President” has to be undone — run-off elections seem extremely critical for Pinas.
Six years also seems wrong for Pinas — the old four-plus-four seems better (even three-plus-three seems appropriate given Pinas love-affair with surge-the-gate whenever the Malacanang resident raises VAT).
And please — do make clear : cannot be Senator/Vice-President/President any Filipino who has been convicted of a crime (whether they have been pardoned or not).
On election runoffs:
With the number of the aspirants, it is impossible to have a fifty percent on the first round.
It will definitely be more than one round it could be set to two for convenience’s sake.
The argument will always return to economics, are we ready for a more than one round of elections.
Maybe someone must first figure out how to limit the number of candidates,to make a fifty percent majority vote possible on the first try.
How many percent did Erap get? less than 40.
Carlos Garcia got 61 %,but how many were they, two. (I don’t know if they allow independents back then, you tell me)
I agree with your proposal on the need for run-off elections for the Presidency. As i commented three years ago over at Manolo Quezon’s blog:
i agree with karl. a “run-off”, aka, repeat national election, could be too costly to be affordable. i favor a return to the tried and tested two-party system with mechanism for selecting the official two candidates through separate party conventions. a quixotic “independent” may run, but everybody knows what fate awaits him.
We are on the same page on this point, Atty. Ben.
The Office of the Presidency is not the problem. It is the present
President, Gloria Arroyo who is the problem. She is the most divisive
President we have ever seen. Since Marcos.
Her SONA statement: “I did not become President to be popular.”
That means to say: she does not care how you and me, and the guy
next door feel. As long as she is in power. She is okay.
Leadership is TRUST. Once you lost that TRUST. You lost respect to
people you are leading already. The people you are leading are always asking: Where are you leading us? They dont want to be led to nowhere.
If we see a leader is leading us to mass suicide. Then, we will not
follow. If a leader says one thing. Then does the other thing.
We will not follow. If she tells us: Do what I say, but do not
do what I do. Then, she lost our respect already.
We are sorry, we have to tell her. She lacks the true “carabao sense”
of a good leader. She lacks also the Charisma to lead. Leadership is
a talent. Like singing, dancing, writing poetry, painting, etc…
You either have it, or you dont!
i think what you are trying to say is you prefer a hypocritical president who will act for the sake of popularity regardless of whether or not it’s good for the nation. why do you keep on saying “we”? try speaking for yourself alone instead of second-guessing even your own father, mother or sibling.
Your dumb brain cannot even understand simple clear English ?
Better to rule on the basis of what is expedient?
Getting away with questionable and questioned acts so long as they are ‘legal’ even if immoral?
Is not popularity grounded on integrity and readiness to account for action part and parcel of effective governance?
Care to shed light anyone?
Popular to Pinoys-in-Pinas does not all the time equate to being with integrity.
yeah, upn. erap was “popular” to some sector but i wouldn’t say he had “integrity” and “readiness” to be president.
baka pag established na ang automated elections, pwede nang mag-run off election.
Governance can be plain and can be enforced by anyone in office on how to pioneer a true solid tradition. There should be a required tradition course at least before becoming a politician. I have observed none of any administration sought to impose severe tightness of FIT around a Central Tradition ( values and culture in public management) except buying of votes and encouraging people to sell. The Constitution should force ( rule of law) every single candidate and current government employees- no matter what level or position , to attend orientation on how to apply and introduce our Traditions and Central Values-What is our political culture? It can be legislated and taught by an independent/ internal socialization and training organization like the civil service commission.
There has been no application of ethics and dedication to high standard of governance ever existed in this country’s political system. Nada…( read the letter to Obama- that itself confirms my observation)
Sure abolish the presidency, it will not change nor strengthen our TRADITION, Democracy and Values because the basic concept and application of a simple rule are non-existent.
A third world country indeed… sad but true.
You can change the system every which way, but as long as the players are the same, the game will be the same. The titles are just hats, not new moral or public service fiber, not new capability. If the Managers are somebody’s auntie, sister, buddy or niece instead of proven high-skill, executive-style producers, you can’t really expect them to build a world-class Philippines in the highly competitive global arena of today. To compete with Bill Gates, you need Steve Jobs, not Fred or Wanda Frick.
I have recently turned pessimistic, my optimism having been dealt a heavy blow by the recognition that Filipinos are so entranced by their culture that they don’t want to let go of it. That’s why they are so defensive about everything. They are like cowboys from the US wild west saying “get them blasted trains and Model T’s outta here; we want to keep our horses and six-shooters”.
You have to CHANGE to change. DUHHHHHH . . . . .
Joe
or like True Blue Aussies that “would tie it up with wire, to keep the show on the road!” My apologies to John Williamson!
Welcome to The Twilight Zone! :)
Joe, you will be counting the years – when the issues will be the same, except for new faces, it will be the same old script. Groundhog day ground zero – in islands Philippines :)
If the islands need a real shot in the arms, then, abolish the dysfunctional artificial state called “the Philippines”. reestablish a new state based on consent and not by colonial edict.
who asked you to be “optimistic”, joe. you don’t have to suffer frustration. if you cannot have the filipinos follow your ways, just leave them alone and i suggest you go back where you belong.
people in office can only change if they have knowledge on “how to and “what to change”. the filipino people like mang juan and pedro have been misrepresented even at the barangay level. the kapitan is still drinking tuba and playing sabong. that’s the kind of role models tolerated by our Constitution. there’s no awareness of punishment and reward. you can see a mayor with significant others at any casinos or a senator flaunting their faces at pacquaio’s vegas fight.
how many are they?
Leytenian,
Yes, good points. There are thousands, for sure. I can only overlay how change occurred in the US, particularly on racism and sexism. People demanded laws that made everyone equal.
Here in the Philippines, a “Fair Employment” law is also needed, not for racial discrimination or gender discrimination, but because family and pals get jobs. There is no concerted effort made to hire for or assess job performance. Also, Barangay positions should probably be appointments rather than elected. When people are hired for CAPABILITY, everything changes.
There ARE steps that can be taken, but the people have to demand them, like they demanded the end of HR1109 and the Book Blockade. Instead of protesting bad government acts, protest FOR a progressive government act.
Joe
Joe,
Yes people must demand it. Unfortunately, the ordinary people like mang juan and pedro have been underprivileged and disadvantaged from recognizing solid information ( the media sucks). Taking the STEPS and implementing the process are basic job description or a STANDARD duty of any public servant. The steps must be written and defined like a basic policy and procedure BY THE Legislators- the Senate. Instead of taking 30 years to improve, we might be able to reach our goals in 15 if LEADERSHIP can put a firework on any public official’s ass. LOL.
In the US, hiring and qualifying a candidate requires media exposure and scrutiny not only at the top but even at the county and city level.
Same concept must be practiced in Philippines. There’s no excuse because GOVERNANCE is universally known and taught in every college of management. If not, all officials appointed are questioned, interviewed and has to go through the process of “PROVING their skills” including written recommendation of their good moral character. Each of them is given copies of policy ( rule of law) in terms of their reward for hardwork and punishment for non-performance of STANDARD duty. The police and law enforcement can also be trained “when and how to” handcuff a barangay kapitan who is witnessed at the Sabong or any official seen at any entertainment area.
One area of systematic governance can be improved but if the other departments are not aware of the new improvements then it may not work according to timeframe ( short and long term goals)
But, I believe that public officials can be trained thru education and attend a required COURSE to understand our NEW INNOVATIVE TRADITION, accept punishment by strengthening the rule of LAW and be rewarded by the people. To train public officials and modify their faulty attitude for progress ,the president must formulate, initiate and define our NEW TRADITION with the assistance of the Senate and The Justice court. This new enhanced system of governance must be carried thru the next and the next administration to come.
Mag tulungan for the common good…. ( TEAMWORK)