Parliamentary System - Philippines style to revitalize RP?

Is Charter Change or more commonly known as “Cha-Cha”, really what the Philippines needs?

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo proposes a change in the system of government in the Philippines from Presidential to Parliamentary. Mrs. Arroyo firmly relieves that Cha-Cha is one of the solutions of the country’s problems.

According to Pulse Asia’s survey in 2006 that out of 1,200 respondents: 40 are pro to Cha-Chat; 38 are anti; and the remaining 22 are undecided maybe because they don’t have enough knowledge about the Parliamentary government, the Charter Change nor the People’s Initiative.

A parliamentary system of government is a multi-party form of government in which the executive branch: the cabinet, or single members thereof, can be removed by the Parliament through a vote of non-confidence; the executive branch can dissolve the legislature. The leader of the leading party in the Parliament is often known as the Primse Minister.

Under parliamentary system, the roles of the head of state and the head of the government are more of less separated.

In most parliamentary systems, the head of state is generally a ceremonial position, often a monarch or president, however sometimes retaining duties without such political relevance. In many, but not all parliamentary systems, the head of state may have reserve powers, either by convention or by constitutional rule.

Parliamentary systems vary as to the degree to which they have a formal written constitution and the degree to which that constitution describes the day to day working of the government. They also vary as to the number of parties. Also, relations between the central government and local government vary in parliamentary systems; they may be federal or unitary states.

People’s Initiative, on the other hand, is the soliciting of signatures for the amendment of the 1987 Constitution and the shifting of the system of governance from presidential-bicameral to parliamentary-unicameral system of government.

Cha-Cha is an unpopular choice because once the constitution is amended; the power will be centralized to the legislature branch. The people won’t be able to voice out their opinions and can’t choose a leader; only the legislature branch can choose the next prime minister, in case there is a vacancy.

On the other hand, it is also good to have this type of government because politics will be lessened and people will not resort to vote-buying during elections.

Try pondering on there things before choosing, because there is no turning back.