PITCHING FOR PARLIAMENTARISM: Sen. Robinhood C. Padilla expresses dismay over the absence of members of the executive branch during Friday’s hybrid hearing of the Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes, September 2, 2022, on the proposals to revisit the 1987 Constitution. (Voltaire F. Domingo/Senate PRIB)
MANILA, Philippines— The seeming “addiction” by Filipinos to people power did not escape Senator Robin Padilla.
Padilla made this point when National Security Adviser Clarita Carlos talked about the many benefits of a parliamentary system during a hearing of the Senate committee on constitutional amendments and code revisions on Friday.
As chairman of the committee, Padilla is leading the discussions on the Charter change proposal.
Carlos outlined how, in a parliamentary system, the prime minister and government are always vulnerable to being ousted on the basis of a single policy decision.
“The government in fact can stake the life of his government on a question of policy,’” she said.
“And when he stakes the life of his government on a question of policy and he does not get the vote, he will be ousted. That’s one other great part of a parliamentary system.”
Padilla followed up by asking if this meant that a “people power” was unnecessary under a legislative government.
Carlos answered no, reiterating her previous statement: “You don’t need people power. You just oust him.”
Padilla then commented: “Kasi nagkaroon na po ng addiction yata ang Pilipino sa people power lagi na lang: Hindi, punta tayo sa Edsa, paramihan tayo ng tao dyan.”
“Sa parliamentary po, hindi na po kailangan yan?” he asked again.
To this ,Carlos said: “Ah meron pong role ang rally sa ating liberal democracy pero huwag ho natin sa kalye gawin ang mga pagbabago.”
Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III joined the discussion, explaining protests will only move to the streets in the absence of a framework of government addressing people’s grievances.
“In a parliamentary system, nandun yung structure,” Pimentel said.