Discussion on Form of Government

Declaration of the Party Platforms Partidong Padaigdigang Pilipino

The conscience of the people, in this time of grave national problems, has called into being a new party - the Partidong Pandaigdigang Pilipino, born of the Filipinos' sense of nationalism, social and economic justice, quest for progress and demand for effective governance in the Motherland. We of the Partidong Pandaigdigang Pilipino dedicate ourselves to the fulfillment of the dreams and aspirations espoused by our heroes and forefathers to stand with the Filipino pride, and in today's reality - wherever we are.

We declare that the Filipinos are the masters of their Constitution, to achieve its objectives and goals and to guard it against those who, by corruption of its intent, would transform it into an instrument of greed and injustice. In conformity with the requirements of each generation, the Filipinos must use their sovereign powers to prevent these evils and consciously strive for the betterment of the lives of its people. This country belongs to the people who inhabit it and the millions who are in diaspora. Its resources, its business, its institutions and its laws should be utilized, maintained or altered in whatever manner that will best promote the general interest of the people. It is time to set the public welfare in the first place - Putting the Filipino First.

The Philippine political parties were supposed to exist to attain responsible governance and to execute the will of the people. Unfortunately, both of the old and the new parties have failed. Instead of being instruments to promote the general welfare, they have become the tools of corrupt interests which use them partially to serve their selfish intentions. Behind the ostensible government sits enthroned an invisible government owing no allegiance and acknowledging no responsibility to the people.

To demolish this invisible government, to break the unholy alliance between corrupt business and corrupt politics is the first task of the PPP statesmanship of the day. The deliberate betrayal of its trust by the existing parties, the fatal incapacity of the opposition parties to deal with the new issues of the new time, have compelled the people to forge a new instrument of government through which to give effect to their will in laws and institutions.

Unhampered by tradition, uncorrupted by power, undismayed by the magnitude of the task, PPP offers itself as the instrument of the people to sweep away old abuses, to build a new and nobler republic Ten million Filipinos in diaspora with more than 20 million dependents in the homeland - yet only two representatives in Congress is provided by law. This is a blatant trampling of representation - the essence of democracy.

I. A Covenant With the People

This declaration is our covenant with the people, and we hereby bind the party and its future candidates in the Nation to the pledges made herein. The Partidong Pandaigdigang Pilipino, committed to the principles of government by a self-controlled democracy expressing its will through representatives of the people, pledges itself to secure such alterations in the fundamental law of the Philippines as shall insure the representative character of the government.

II. Basic Beliefs (some adopted from the Jaycee Creed)

Faith in God that gives meaning and purpose to human life

Respect for human life, rights and freedom

Government should be of laws rather than of men

Government service is public trust

Economic justice can best be won by free men through free enterprise

III. Platforms

Constitutional Reforms and Amendments - The Partidong Pandaigdigang Pilipino, believing that a free people should have the power from time to time to amend their fundamental law so as to adapt it progressively to the changing needs of the people, pledges itself to provide a more easy and expeditious method of amending the Constitution.

Government Structure (Forms and Systems) For Discussion and Agreement

Presidential vs. Parliamentary

Centralism vs. Federalism

Unicameral vs. Bicameral Legislature

Federal Legislative Representation

Electoral Processes

Terms of Office of Elected Positions

Review of Candidates Pre-Qaulifications

Computerization

Overseas Absentee Voting

We pledge our party to legislation that will compel strict limitation of all campaign contributions and expenditures, and detailed publicity of both before as well as after party conventions and elections.

Goverment Administration

Civil Service

We condemn the violations of the Civil Service Law under the present administration, including the coercion and assessment of subordinate employees, and the President's refusal to punish such violation after a finding of guilty by his own commission; her distribution of patronage, gifts and favors among subservient congressmen, while withholding it from those who refuse support of administration measures.

To eradicate these abuses, we demand not only the enforcement of the civil service act in letter and spirit, but also legislation which will bring under the competitive system in all non-political offices, as well as the enactment of an equitable retirement law, and we also insist upon continuous service during good behavior and efficiency.

Overseas Filipinos

Protection, Welfare

Re-Integration

Re-structuring of DFA, DOLE, OWWA

Social Justice

Access to Economic Resources, Poverty

Health, Education, Shelter

Administration of Justice

Economic and Finance

Labor and Employment Generation

Enterprise Development

Exports and Imports - Notwithstanding the Philippines' membership in WTO, we believe in a protective tariff which shall equalize conditions of competition between the Philippines and foreign countries, both for the farmer and the manufacturer, and which shall maintain for labor an adequate standard of living.

Capital and Investments

We believe that true popular government, justice and prosperity go hand in hand, and, so believing, it is our purpose to secure that large measure of general prosperity which is the fruit of legitimate and honest business, fostered by equal justice and by sound progressive laws.

We demand that the test of true prosperity shall be the benefits conferred thereby on all the citizens, not confined to individuals or classes, and that the test of corporate efficiency shall be the ability better to serve the public; that those who profit by control of business affairs shall justify that profit and that control by sharing with the public the fruits thereof.

We therefore demand a strong national regulation of monopolistic corporations. The corporation is an essential part of modern business. The concentration of modem business, in some degree, is both inevitable and necessary for national and international business efficiency. But the existing concentration of vast wealth under a monopolistic corporate system, unguarded and uncontrolled by the nation, has placed in the hands of a few men enormous, secret, irresponsible power over the daily life of the citizen.

This power has been abused, in monopoly of power and energy (Meralco, Napocor, Transco) in water (MWSS), , telecommunication (PLDT, Smart, Globe), media (ABS-CBN, GMA7), transport (PAL, cebu Pacific), in unfair competition and unfair privileges, and finally in sinister influences on the public agencies of the nation. We do not fear commercial power, but we insist that it shall be exercised openly, under publicity, supervision and regulation of the most efficient sort, which will preserve its good while eradicating and preventing its ill.

To that end we urge the establishment of a strong national administrative commission of high standing, which shall maintain permanent active supervision over industrial corporations engaged in national commerce, or such of them as are of public importance, doing for them what the Government now does for the banks.

Such a commission must enforce the complete publicity of those corporation transactions which are of public interest; must attack unfair competition, false capitalization and special privilege, and by continuous trained watchfulness guard and keep open equally all the highways of Filipino commerce.

Thus the businessman will have certain knowledge of the law, and will be able to conduct his business easily in conformity therewith; the investor will find security for his capital; dividends will be rendered more certain, and the savings of the people will be drawn naturally and safely into the channels of trade.

Under such a system of constructive regulation, legitimate business, freed from confusion, uncertainty and fruitless litigation, will develop normally in response to the energy and enterprise of the Filipino businessman.

We favor strengthening the anti-monopolitic laws by prohibiting agreement to divide territory or limit output (government franchise); refusing to sell to customers who buy from business rivals; to sell below cost in certain areas while maintaining higher prices in other places; using the power of transportation to aid or injure special business concerns; and other unfair trade practices.

Government Finance

Taxation

Budgets (balanced vs. deficit)

Government Reserve (Gold Reserves and Forex)

Audit

Currency Management ( Fixed rate vs floating rate,

Government Debt Management (Debt Cap, Accelerated retirement, local peso sourcing)

Peace and Order

Secessionist Movements (MILF,MNLF)

Insurgency (NPA,NDF etc.)

National Defense - The Partidong Pandaigdigang Pilipino deplores the survival in our civilization of the barbaric system of warfare among nations with its enormous waste of resources even in time of peace, and the consequent impoverishment of the life of the toiling masses. We pledge the party to use its best endeavors to substitute judicial and other peaceful means of settling international differences.

Crime Prevention and Terrorism

Environment

Utilization/exploitation of natural resources

Environmental protection and ecological balance

The natural resources of the Philippines must be promptly developed and generously used to supply the people's needs, but we cannot safely allow them to be wasted, exploited, monopolized or controlled against the general good. We heartily favor the policy of conservation, and we pledge our party to protect the national forests without hindering their legitimate use for the benefit of all the people.

Agricultural lands in the national forests are, and should remain, open to the genuine settlers and the indigenous tribal minorities . Conservation will not retard legitimate development.

In order that consumers and producers, managers and workmen, now and hereafter, need not pay toll to private monopolies of power and raw material, we demand that such resources shall be retained by the State and opened to immediate use under laws which will encourage development and make to the people a moderate return for benefits conferred.

Foreign Relations

Economic Alliance (ASEAN, WTO)

Political Alliance (UN, ASEAN)

Military Alliance (VFA, etc.)

Socio-Cultural Arrangements Collaboration

Technical Cooperations

Relations with International Institutions (WB, ADB, OECF, UN Agencie)

Treaty Rights - We pledge our party to protect the rights of Filipino citizenship at home and abroad. No treaty should receive the sanction of our Government that discriminates between Filipino citizens because of birthplace, race, or religion, or that does not recognize the absolute right of expatriation.

Conclusion

On these principles and on the recognized desirability of uniting the Partidong Pandaigdigang Pilipino forces of the global nation into an organization which shall unequivocally represent the global Filipino spirit and policy we appeal for the support of all Filipino citizens, without regard to previous political affiliations.

From Tumbagang Isda

How do we address the serious discussion on what was suggested as subjects
for discussion:
1. Form of government.
A. Unitarian or federalist
B. Parliamentary or Presidential
2. congress
A. Unicameral or bicameral.

etc..

http://blog.omdsinc.com/platform.htm

Click on the link above. Which is the same link as the one provided by Mon below. If you are so batugan to scroll down. Practically, isinusubo na sa ating mga bungana ni Mon. The verbiage is there.

And the seminal structure. Pambihira naman kayo. Hawa iyong gingagawa niyo. You decide kung sino and lideres natin, you don't tell us about them, how the decision was arrived at.

Atty. Cita, ito ba ang rule of law dito sa PPP mo?

Cesar Torres
XXXX

From Tumbagang Isda

I for example believes that Philippines started out wrong in its efforts
to form a government that is beneficial to all, in the future and present.

1. That the people are deeply divided in language.
2. History
3. culture.

In order to respect all aspect of these, I believe that complete autonomy
of each region in order to be able to respect the many different
languages, culture and historical memories.

So I believe a Federal form will do this, much better than a unitarian form.

It will give power closer to the local regions and remove the distant
unresponsive central government from the picture.

I also believe that the present bicameral system is flawed but with a
Federal form, the senate can represent the regions, keeping a bicameral
legislative branch.

The Katipuneros suggested a bicameral system where the senate is
represented by permanent body, sort of like house of Lords in England and
Spain, something that Filipinos has no historical basis for, Katipuneros
suggested a body of presidential appointees. Opening the room for
dictatorship.

Parliamentary vs. Presidential?

Parliamentary does not have direct election for the nation's leadership,
the Parliament votes for them instead, it also opens a can of worms where
the leader do not have to spread graft to more people than they do now,
they only have to do that with the members of parliament.

The only advantage is this:
Party list can be elected, but that can exist in Presidential system as well.

Anyway why can't we have the advantages of both?
When they made these systems, they didn't know it can change, and Filipino
style can be as different as any that exist.

No one made a rule that it has to be this way or that way, what are "they"
going to do if Philippines decided to make its own form out of several
existing?

Give a fine? arrest everybody?

Fact is this:
No one made a rule, no one can force a country to form a more "acceptable"
form of government, so reality is that people can make it up as they go.

As long as basic needs of the people is met, who cares what form it takes
correct? Well, no matter what form it is, a series of laws has to be
created that becomes the basis for the social behavior expected of a
citizen, and this constitution should be vague enough to allow changes as
citizenry changes.

Ok, I am rambling, but this is the way it is with me, I am serious about
all this.

Ed Mercado
>
>
>
> This writer believes discussion of a suitable form of government and other
> related topics -re the Philippines- is moot. The prevailing temperament
> among those [many of them] involved in attempting to gain power is to use
> extra-legal means and find a way to eventually legalize it through
> continued practice and inaction by the masses who will eternally be in
> dire straits. There does not seem to be anyone with sufficient political
> power and integrity who can step up to the plate. Pity.
>
>
> Ed Mercado
> www.edpalenque. com
> (aka Ed Palenque, author: BALIKBAYAN BOXES - FOR BETTER OR FOR WORSE and
> other social commentary ISBN 978-1-59594- 161-9)

Prof C and Mon, I

I read Mon's Draft Declaration twice and viewed it from the standpoint of its impact on the plans and programs under discussion and formulation. Offhand, I can say that, generally, both are in sync and supportive of each other - one spells out what we want to do; the other, operationalizes, how to do go about focusing on some aspects of it in more specific terms.

More power to you guys.

Kumeh

tumbaga@dslextreme. com wrote:

I for example believes that Philippines started out wrong in its efforts
to form a government that is beneficial to all, in the future and present.

1. That the people are deeply divided in language.
2. History
3. culture.

In order to respect all aspect of these, I believe that complete autonomy
of each region in order to be able to respect the many different
languages, culture and historical memories.

So I believe a Federal form will do this, much better than a unitarian form.

It will give power closer to the local regions and remove the distant
unresponsive central government from the picture.

I also believe that the present bicameral system is flawed but with a
Federal form, the senate can represent the regions, keeping a bicameral
legislative branch.

The Katipuneros suggested a bicameral system where the senate is
represented by permanent body, sort of like house of Lords in England and
Spain, something that Filipinos has no historical basis for, Katipuneros
suggested a body of presidential appointees. Opening the room for
dictatorship.

Parliamentary vs. Presidential?

Parliamentary does not have direct election for the nation's leadership,
the Parliament votes for them instead, it also opens a can of worms where
the leader do not have to spread graft to more people than they do now,
they only have to do that with the members of parliament.

The only advantage is this:
Party list can be elected, but that can exist in Presidential system as well.

Anyway why can't we have the advantages of both?
When they made these systems, they didn't know it can change, and Filipino
style can be as different as any that exist.

No one made a rule that it has to be this way or that way, what are "they"
going to do if Philippines decided to make its own form out of several
existing?

Give a fine? arrest everybody?

Fact is this:
No one made a rule, no one can force a country to form a more "acceptable"
form of government, so reality is that people can make it up as they go.

As long as basic needs of the people is met, who cares what form it takes
correct? Well, no matter what form it is, a series of laws has to be
created that becomes the basis for the social behavior expected of a
citizen, and this constitution should be vague enough to allow changes as
citizenry changes.

Ok, I am rambling, but this is the way it is with me, I am serious about
all this.

Ed Mercado

I agree that the parliamentary system could bring some advantageous changes in the effectivity of the Philippine administrative system. But not in this particular period of time, where the sitting President of the Philippines is suspected to employ it foremost for her to perpetuate in power.

The EU countries have parliamentary forms of government, but they also have the economic infrastructure.

In Germany, you can get a passport within three days or in a day (I forgot), for kids in a matter of hours, from the very lowest community level - sa Barangay Captain's Office, kung sa Pilipinas pa. Why? They have their existing laws as legal basis, their offices are all computerized down to their Brgy level.

Parang marami pang developmental infrastructure ang kakailanganin bago maging applicable at effective ang parliamentary form of government sa Pilipinas.

Just my opinion.

What do you think?


Shiela

According to Governor Panlilio, the form of government is not the problem. It is the values and disvalues of our people.

Agree with you completely.

Before attempting to "change" the form of government from "Presidential" to something else, it is crucial for everyone to be clear about what exactly are the "flaws" of the "Presidential" form of government that are desired to be corrected. For this purpose, one has to apply the rigorous stringency of "effective problem analysis" as applied to a "system". There are so many "problem analysis" models to choose from. One among models for "problem analysis" that is relatively easier to apply is the Kepner-Tregoe model. With the use of the K-T model, one simply uses the most basic information about the "situation being analyzed" in terms of what, when, where, how, who, and why on a before-and-after comparative scenario analysis. Provided the required information for analysis is complete and shared among all those who may be involved in the "problem analysis", basically the same conclusion should be drawn by everyone.

The "flaws" can either be "systemic" or "non-systemic". For any "flaw" that shall be deemed as "non-systemic", the solution is not to change the present "system" - Presidential form of government. The solution for any "non-systemic" flaw lies somewhere else other than the system.

For example: regarding the 1987 Philippine Constitution - it is important to pin down exactly what particular provision/s in what Section/s of Article/s are deemed with "flaws". For it can easily turn out that the "problem/s" under consideration are merely "issues" of application/implementation of specific provision/s contained in certain Section/s of particular Article/s of the 1987 Philippine Constitution. There are the "flaws" which must be deemed as "non-systemic" and the solution/s can not lie in "amending" specific provision/s, much less "changing the entire 1987 Philippine Constitution" - which is what is being bandied about by certain political sectors/groups with dubious political agenda, that will most likely result to disastrous political developments for the Global Filipino Nation.

There must be a "caveat" or "warning" to the Filipino People regarding the proposal to change from the present Presidential form of government to the Federal - Parliamentary form of government. Given the personalities in the political scene, both in the Executive and the Legaislative Departments, pushing for the adoption of the Federal - Parliamentary form of government, if the Filipino People will not be alert, wary, and cautious enough, we can end up with "One Political Party Dictatorship" instead of a Republic of the Philippines.

This objective and cautious approach in determining the "systemic" and "non-systemic" flaws in the present Presidential form of government does not preclude the possibility that it may be indeed necessary to change the "form of government" which will warrant a total "revamp or change" of the entire 1987 Philippine Constitution. However, before a complete "systems analysis" is done and each aspect deemed to be with "flaw" considered as "systemic", and that mere "amendment/s" or "change/s in specific provision/s" will not suffice, and the scope and extent of the "systemic flaws" warrant a total revamp/change of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, there is no point whatsoever for the Filipino People to even listen to the "political spin-doctors" or "demagogues" or "rabble-rousers" spewing out "generalities" - they are merely out to confuse further the much muddled issues about the lack of moral governance in the Philippines - that is their only political agenda/objective.

I would like to end with a reminder to the Filipino People both in the Homeland and those who are spread all over Planet Earth, whether as OFWs or Filipino migrants: Beware of those who talk in "generalities" about the need to change the 1987 Philippin Constitution. Ask them for specific "systemic" flaw/s that they are claiming must be "solved". For they may be waving the Philippine flag and "crying wolf", when in fact they may be the "wolves in sheep clothing".

May the Supreme Being grant collective enlightenment to the Global Filipino Nation.

NEO FILIPINO