Plans for new political system for the Philippines

Producer: Felix Tan
First broadcast: 5 July 04, Radio Singapore International

Since Philippine President Gloria Arroyo’s inauguration on June 30th, talks on plans for a new political system in the Philippines have resurfaced again.

Reports say that President Arroyo is ready to serve as concurrent Prime Minister as the Philippines prepares to switch from a Presidential to a Parliamentary form of government in 2007.

However, no concrete timetable has been set for the switch, as such plans will still need to pass through Congress.

So, why the talk about switching to a different political system in the Philippines by 2007?

Felix Tan put this question to Dr. Clarita Carlos (CC), professor of Political Science at the University of the Philippines:

CC: “Actually this discussion has been going on for the past 10 years. In fact I am part of the group going around the country, educating people on what these changes mean - from an academic standpoint. But I guess that came out of a political experience where Estrada was removed by so-called ‘People’s Power’ and people had difficulty keeping out governments, which they perceived are corrupt or incompetent or both. But the 2007-year cap, I think it is not realistic because Arroyo has been elected for six years. So that means, if anything, it will have to happen after 2010.”

But how will this system - this proposed system - benefit Arroyo, and in fact, benefit the Philippines’ political landscape?

CC: “Remember she cannot be re-elected anymore as President after 2010. But if she shifts to a parliamentary system, she can still get herself elected as a Member of Parliament and eventually as a Prime Minister. So, how it will benefit the Philippines? I think if we can make our government leaders more accountable, certainly, that will be good for us in the long run.”

For now, the goal is 2007, and you said that it might even be longer than that - by 2010. Now, how feasible will this change be, given that Mrs Arroyo will still need to go through the Congress and such?

CC: “Because there are two ways of changing the Constitution where the Congress changes itself to a constituent assembly and when you elect a constitution convention. It seems like people are more inclined to do the latter - that is to elect a constitution convention because they feel that the Congress already has its own continuing interest to keep itself in power. But, you know, the shift from Presidential to Parliamentary is only one of the changes that are being contemplated. There is one from unitary to federal and the change in the various constitutional commissions - that means the electoral system… It will be a comprehensive change.”

I also understand that if there is a change in the political system from the current one to the parliamentary or federal system, Mrs Arroyo will have to step down in 20-07 or mid-way in her six-year term to pave the way for this switch to a new system. Now, what is the possibility of Mrs Arroyo stepping down if there is a change?

CC: “I do not think she will do that. Plus, you know, it will violate our laws… remember she is not the only who has been elected for six-years. There are Senators that have been elected for six-years; there is the Vice-President… See, this is the problem when Filipinos just change the laws according to what they please, you know. This is where our problems begin when the rule of law is bent here and there according to one’s caprice. It cannot work that way. Arroyo legally can stay there until 2010 unless she is impeached. That is the only time that she can get out before 2010. So, if there are any constitutional changes, it will happen after 2010.”

Arroyo has also big dreams and challenges that she has stated. Given her six-year term and a slim mandate, so to speak, will she be able to accomplish what she promised?

CC: “Well, again, that is an indicative of… it is more like wanting to be a good person. So, it is really a goal and it is not as if it is only Arroyo who will make that happen. She is only one person. If the Congress decides to block, then you will have a continuing impasse. See, everything has to roll into the direction that she wants and there is no one who can quarrel with the 10-point agenda. All the numbers there - the eight million jobs, et cetera… They are all indicative, except that, of course, there is the populist notion that these are things that matter to every Filipino. So, she has to make all those noises, but I do not think… they are on the operational, tactical level. But I think who would like to listen to her strategic plans? But all of them, really, I think is to improve the lot of the 60 percent of the Filipinos who are living below the poverty line.”

With these challenges that she is going to face - this 10-point goals as the President… now, in your opinion, do you think that changing the political infrastructure in the Philippines, will help Arroyo achieve her aims?

CC: “Well, as a political scientist, I believe that the institutional; structures are such that you reduce obstacles, like, you know, the continuing impasse with Congress - if Congress has a different political complexion from the chief executive. Then to that extent, you facilitate these changes. But if the President and the Congress are of different minds, they belong to two different groups, they are always clashing - then nothing will move. So to the extent, this institutional and structural changes will facilitate that and so, to that extent, they are good.”