PH needs new ‘prescription’

Every morning, when I read the newspapers and tune in to TV or radio, I get bad news, really bad—people’s money going to wrong pockets and squandered; economic indicators good, better than China’s and those of our neighbors, but poverty abounds; crime incidence on the rise and law-abiding citizens not feeling safe on the streets, even in their homes! What has happened to our country?

In 1987, like a very sick man, suffering from the ills of a 14-year dictatorship, our country was given a prescription—a new Constitution.

But a doctor’s prescription is only good for a time. When the illness is gone, the doctor issues a new one—sans the drugs that killed the viruses that ailed the body—this time to strengthen the body so that it can resist the entry of life-threatening viruses and other health threats.

Yes, we need a new Constitution!

We start by downsizing the Congress. The constitutional requirement that a legislative district should have at least a population of 250,000 is obsolete; with the advances in science and technology, a legislator can represent a whole province, including the cities therein.

We need only a unicameral legislature. We do not need two legislative chambers. The party-list system, a knee-jerk reaction of the post-Marcos exclusive rule, has no place in our country. Since 1987, we have violated the practice of true democracy by allowing “party-list legislators” to enter Congress through the backdoor! Never again should we allow democracy to be defiled in this manner! The members of the unicameral legislature should be limited to enacting laws. No project funds for them. They should report for work from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, like Cabinet members. They can visit their legislative districts to ensure that projects are done right.

The legislature should deliberate on the national budget, including the budget of the judiciary, which originates from the Office of the President. This is in consonance with the principle of checks and balances in government.

The pork barrel system should be abolished in its entirety. The Office of the President should be assigned a fixed amount to deal with national calamities, but subject to spending safeguards, including auditing. The president should rely on inputs from the Cabinet and local officials in preparing the national budget. All savings of the national, provincial, city and municipal governments, Congress, the judiciary, constitutional commissions, the Armed Forces, the Philippine National Police  and government corporations should be returned to the National Treasury and not given away as bonuses.

The Philippine National Police Academy should be improved to put it on par with the Philippine Military Academy. Anybody convicted for the crime of plunder shall be ineligible for pardon, and lose his/her right to vote or run for public office. The death penalty should be restored.

—APOLONIO G. RAMOS, 42 Mindanao St., Marikina City