If federalism is to successfully move, the 1987 Constitution must undergo important changes now.
One of them is to amend and define the provision prohibiting political dynasties. As we already have been experiencing, political families who have the material resources continue to assert themselves in the political scene, one generation after another.
Retired Chief Justice Reynato Puno has expressed apprehension that the federalization of the country may not achieve its desired effects if political dynasties continue to reign supreme.
The 1987 Constitution, touted by its framers as better than the 1973 version, failed to define what a political dynasty means. Puno said the Duterte administration must first enact a law banning political dynasties.
He explained that the law is necessary to prevent dynasties from weakening the advantage that federalism will bring to the political stability of the nation. The problem lies with Congress wherein the law banning dynasties will emanate.
Will Congress punish itself by enacting a law that will kill or reign in their continued political supremacy in their respective turfs?
I doubt it. I really doubt it.
This is a very ticklish issue. But there is a way to go around it without going through the rigorous legislative mill.
I refer to a people’s initiative, one of three constitutional ways to change the basic law of the land. The PI was utilized effectively during the GMA regime where the matter reached the Supreme Court and lost via a narrow 7-8 tally.
Pres. Duterte’s very high popular support among the people will enable him and federalism advocates to bring this very important issue to the citizenry.
I agree with CJ Puno that federalism cannot succeed in the proposed federal states if political dynasties continue to hold sway. The prevailing political culture condones political patronage where only those with strong political connections can exercise at will.
While we are sick and tired of the decadent, abusive and evil practices in this unitary presidential system, we have yet to see how many hands in Congress are sincerely willing to convert to a federal parliamentary form of government.
In this country, keeping the majority of the poor poorer and the few rich richer is the order of the day.
In Western countries where people’s initiative is widely practiced, we see the democratic exercise of people empowerment. I had the rare opportunity of talking to a Swiss expert on the matter some years back. He said that direct consultations with the people enable elected officials in his country to make correct decisions on very sensitive national concerns.
Referenda or plebiscites, I believe, is a better alternative than seeking Congress’ passage of a law that will dissolve political dynasties. You know how argumentative legislators can be (and stubborn too) if the issue affects their own “livelihood.”
Federalism must be offered in parallel with an economic program that will embrace and affect people from all walks of life. When this goes into effect, it will be easier to convince the broad spectrum of people to support a new political system because federalism seeks to – and will – improve the quality of their lives.
Thus, the argument to remain with the status quo is this: Why change the current system of governance if federalism cannot ensure that socio-economic benefits will uplift the poor, the marginalized, the underprivileged and the people living in the lowest stratum of society?
So, enroute to the objective of abolishing political dynasties (or weakening their political influence and supremacy), federalism advocates must also devise an attractive economic program intertwined with the new political system.
Roughly, the question in the minds of doubting Thomases is this: What’s in store for me, my family and the next generation if I support federalism?
This is exactly what anti-Duterte blocs are propagating in the grapevine. Undermining the positives of federalism is easier than directly confronting it with negatives, isn’t it?
I strongly advise the employment of People’s Initiative as the surest way to amend the flaws of the 1987 Constitution, abolish political dynasties and effectively institute the federal system of government.
Filipinos must have the final say. (Email your feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.) 1Cor. 1:19: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise: the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!
