Senate hearing screengrab.
MANILA, Philippines— No “bobo” (fool) can be part of a parliamentary system, National Security Adviser Clarita Carlos on Friday told senators deliberating on the proposed Charter change (Cha-cha).
During the ongoing deliberations of the Senate committee on constitutional amendments and revision of codes on Cha-cha, Carlos talked about the difference between the federal and parliamentary systems.
It was then that she made a remark about the composition of a parliamentary system while explaining its origin.
According to her, the word parliament comes from the French term “parler,” which means to talk.
“That’s why parliament is like talking environment. You talk,” Carlos pointed out.
“If you zipper your mouth there, I mean you will be ousted in the next election. That’s why no bobo (fool) can be member of parliament. By the way, I’m sorry for the use of the word but I can’t find any other one which is appropriate,” she said.
Carlos said a member of a parliament “who has nothing between his ears” would be kicked out of parliament if he could not converse, exchange views, and sustain the question hour.
“Because in the question hour, every member of the parliament will be asked what have you done in agriculture, what have you done in health services and the like and will be made accountable for what he has or has not done,” she further said.