4. The stability of the government
should also be considered. A very weak government, prone to constant
change, will get the agenda of the POs/NGOs nowhere. In this regard,
it is recommended that a President shall be vested with enough powers
to enable him to act as an effective arbiter in state affairs. To
add credibility to the Presidency in his role as arbiter, he shall
be popularly elected, with no chance of reelection.
5. The executive power shall be vested in a Prime
Minister and ministers elected from among the members of the parliament.
Safeguards to prevent frequent elections can be instituted like
the experience of France.
6. The development of a multiparty system also
favors the POs/NGOs. It will give more opportunity to smaller parties
in the formation of coalition governments. In this regard, we should
push for the legislation of measures that will encourage parties
to participate in elections, such as, subsidies in campaign expenses
and access to the media.
The constitution should also discourage turncoatism and raiding
of parties to ensure the healthy development of political parties.
Provisions such as the forfeiture of seat if an individual switches
party can be instituted.
7. A system of recall can be instituted, on the
initiative of a party or of the constituency concerned. The bases
of this is obvious.
8. There are only two procedures constitutionally
available for the revision of the Charter. One is to convene the
present Congress into a constituent assembly to revise the constitution.
The second is to call for a Constitutional Convention for the same
purpose. The exercise of the power of initiative and referendum
can only be used to amend the constitution. However, the proposal
to shift to the parliamentary system needs a revision, not mere
amendment, to the constitution.
Between a constitutional convention and the convening of Congress
into a constituent assembly, the former is more favorable to the POs/NGOs.
They can have greater chances to send delegates to the convention
for a more direct hand in the framing.
However, if the Senate will be persuaded by the House to convene
as a constituent assembly, the POs/NGOs should be active in influencing
the assembly to adopt their proposals.
