"Federal-Parliamentary System Is Key To Peace, Democracy" By Candido Aparece, Jr.
Friday, February 29, 2008 11:54:47 AM

To address the political crisis and collapsing democracy: the shift to
a federal-parliamentary system is the key to change the unpopular presidency.

It will be necessary for Pres Arroyo to heed the call of the citizens and cooperate with the opposition (for political opposition also to engage seriously the administration) in a broad and meaningful citizens well-participated charter reform and referendum.

A National Citizen Consultative Assembly (NCCCA) composed of representatives of major sectoral groups directly engaged in the political intramural now in the streets, schools, chamber of commerce, faith-based formations should hammer draft amendments to the 1986 constitution and propose a federal-parliamentary system of government with provisions for political party funding and mass membership.

The Bicamiral Committee (BICAM) should convene and Malacañan to push the proposed amendments of the NCCCA via the members of the BICAM all sides of the political spectrum (especially the administration and opposition politicians).

Then, a Constituent Assembly will convene with House of Representatives and Senate voting separately on the NCCCA proposal. This stage will almost be procedural only- after the review of NCCCA's work is done by the BICAM.

Finally, a referendum will be conducted for the final adoption of a federal-parliamentary system and for the new Head of State and Head of
Government to assume office after the constitution of the Parliament.