Panahon na kuno ngamag-usab na kita sa sistema

(Katapusan hugna)

In a parliamentary government, parliament exercises both legislative power and executive power. Parliament will therefore ensure the coordinated, efficient and effective exercises of legislative and executive powers – the making of laws and policies and their implementation. Especially if we have a unicameral parliament (only one house or chamber).The prime minister and the government (the governing party headed by the prime minister) assume collective responsibility and accountability to the parliament and the people for governance. The people will know whom to reward for good governance and administration, or punish for failure and corruption.

Parliamentary government is more likely to ensure the election of the head of government – the prime minister – for his leadership and experience in the party and in the public service, as known to party members.

It will help prevent election of the head of government on the basis largely of wealth, personal popularity or “win-ability,” not on proven competence and experience.

It will be easier to change the head of government and the ruling party whenever it becomes necessary by a vote of no confidence in the parliament. No need for impeachment, people power revolts and military intervention that cause political instability, disrupt the economy, discourage foreign investors and hurt the people, especially the poor.

It will develop political parties that are democratic, disciplined, united and effective in making and carrying out a program of government that can secure popular support.

It empowers the people to choose not only the candidates for the parliament but also the political party they want to govern the country and the regional and local governments.

The people elect the members of parliament among candidates in the parliamentary districts and also by proportional representation of the rival political parties in the parliamentary election. It will be easier and faster to administer elections and proclaim the winning candidates.

It will reduce the high cost of electing the head of government, by choosing the leader of the majority party (or coalition) in parliament as prime minister.

The selection of additional members of parliament through proportional representation of the political parties (party list of all political parties) will let the leading political party select competent leaders (among professionals, business leaders, scholars) to serve in parliament and the Cabinet. These are leaders who are not willing to run for public office.

Most stable and progressive countries in the world have a parliamentary government. These include Japan, Canada, Australia, United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Spain, Norway, Sweden and also India, Singapore and Malaysia in Asia.

Charter change to a parliamentary government, along with decentralization and devolution of powers, will enable us, Filipinos, to respond more efficiently and effectively to our problems, meet our challenges, achieve our goals as a nation and compete in the global economy.

Government will be better able to help in attracting investments, creating more jobs, raising incomes, providing better education, health, welfare and security to our people. And we can build and maintain more schools, hospitals, waterworks, roads, bridges, seaports and airports.

(Excerpted from a report of the PNA ConCom Press Center.)