The Time to Change the Political System in the Philippines

The most important reason for amending the constitution is that it is the best way to respond to widespread dissatisfaction with our politics. Our political system is the same as that designed by the American colonial government and Quezon seventy years ago. It is not anymore capable of responding to the needs of the Philippines of the 21st century.

We are unhappy with the caliber of our politicians. But it is not enough to say we should replace them. With few exceptions, the system continuously produces corrupt and incompetent politicians. The best way to get better politicians is to change the whole system of representation starting with electoral system.

Some leaders of peoples organizations oppose constitutional reform because they are afraid that nationalist provisions on the economy and the ban on foreign military bases will be removed. But as long as we have the same politicians, they will continue to find ways to get around these provisions. We should defend these provisions. But we should also change the political system so we can have the leaders we want, - leaders who will implement the constitution’s nationalist provisions instead of circumventing them. This can only be done by supporting constitutional reform.

Among the substantive proposals are reforms on : executive-legislative relations – the form of government, central-local relations, and the electoral system.

All signs point to the timeliness of starting the process for constitutional reform at this time. Public perception has significantly changed. There is a growing consensus for it in the Congress and the Senate. People opposed to constitutional reform during the Ramos and Estrada administrations are now in favor. Even our moral leaders Cory Aquino and Cardinal Sin, civil society and the academe support constitutional reform..