64 years tested, found wanting

THE LITMUS test of good governance is having able, accountable and transparent leaders. For over 64 years since 1947, have we Filipinos had able, accountable and transparent leaders? The answer lies in the performance record of government as a whole.

The mass exodus of millions of Filipinos abroad to look for better opportunities attests to the dismal failure of our presidential system of government in the past 64 years. We are at the crossroads of history: millions of overseas Filipino workers are now forced to return home due to the volatile situations in a number of Middle East countries and natural calamities, such as earthquakes, floods, a tsunami and a radiation leak. In a globalized economy, what happens in Japan, a neighbor and major trade partner, will have dire economic consequences here. The closure of Japanese companies doing business in our country could lead to mass layoffs. Meanwhile, our natural resources are being frittered away by government to foreign interests, while our leaders waste vital time and resources sorting out responsibilities between and among the legislative, the executive and judicial branches of government.

For over 24 years, our 1987 Constitution has not been amended despite the dynamic changes taking place worldwide. While our Asian neighbors using parliamentary governance prosper, some of our senators resist any move to amend our Charter. But our problems will only worsen and multiply if we do not do anything to address their root causes, one of which is our presidential structure of government.

The parliamentary system is superior to the presidential form of government due to its simplicity, economy, responsiveness, transparency and accountability. The merger of the executive and legislative branches of government into one unicameral parliament will simplify governance, save vital resources and assure our people of more responsive, transparent and accountable leaders.

While we have popularity contests in a presidential system, our present multi-party system will be obliged to present to the electorate programs of government. From the greatest number of our population, political parties can search and harness the best minds with integrity and passion to serve the country. Most importantly, the shift to parliamentary governance will enable our country to compete globally in a level playing field.

If President Aquino has the vision and sincerity to give us good governance, then he should empower the people to have the opportunity to adopt a better form of government. Otherwise, the status quo will last for another five more years of economic stagnancy and decline, and unpreparedness to face the urgent problems and challenges in our country today and in the years to come.

—FRUCTUOSO SUZARA,
executive director,
Social Policy Advocacy,
15 Charleyville St.,
White Plains, Quezon City