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Saturday, January 14, 2006
House Speaker wants French-style parliamentary system
HOUSE Speaker Jose de Venecia on Friday proposed for the adoption of a French-style parliamentary form of government to let President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo stay in office until the end of her term in 2010.
Under his proposal, de Venecia said the President would still have "substantial" powers but assisted by a Prime Minister who would be the chief operating officer of the government.
He said he was optimistic that on Saturday when the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) party holds the national directorate meeting, everything would be settled and that majority of the members of the party would support his proposed French-style parliamentary government, which will be in effect during the three-year transition period from 2007 to 2010.
The House Speaker however said the shift to French-style parliamentary system will not guarantee that the government would be free from graft, especially when connivance among public officials in concealing anomalies still exist.
He said the new form of government, which the House of Representatives is set to tackle when Congress resumes session Monday, could not prevent the President, the Prime Minister and members of the parliament to conspire in hiding graft and corruption and other forms of irregularities.
He said the graft and corruption would exist regardless of a form of government is in place if the public, the opposition and the media would not do their respective share.
De Venecia forewarned future leaders in a parliamentary system not to connive on intention to take cover the anomalies as it would immediately cause the nation to fall. He also believes that the change in leadership if controversies arise is instant through the "vote of non-confidence" by members of the parliament to kick and elect a new Prime Minister.
While de Venecia is pushing for his proposal, other administration congressmen, on the other hand, asked the leadership not only to consolidate the Lakas party but the entire ruling coalition.
House Deputy Speaker for Mindanao Gerry Salapuddin said the administration party has no monopolu on Charter change moves and best ideas, and it should begin close coordination with other administration allies to push the much-delayed Charter change proposals.
"We are all on the same ground but consultation is a must to give the objective of JDV's (de Venecia) formula the much-needed push and support," he said.
Another administration congressman, Douglas Cagas of Davao del Sur said it is the best time that the House Speaker rely on other parties to push Charter amendments. "Lakas cannot move heaven and earth to have it effected. They (Lakas) cannot isolate other administration parties in this effort especially that the problem lies with the senators who have hardened their position against Charter change," he said.
Former President Fidel Ramos, who is the chairman emeritus of the Lakas party, said he objects to the proposal of de Venecia. He said it is not "palatable to me due to, it brings almost like 'status quo' for four more years under the 1987 Constitution but not genuine form."
For Malacañang, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said it would be up to Congress to debate and eventually decided if they would agree to de Venecia's proposed parliamentary form model.
He added that in case it is adopted, it would then be up to the members of the parliament to decide on who would become the Prime Minister. (DBP/JMR/Sunnex)
(January 14, 2006 issue)
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