HUMAN DIGNITY DEMOCRACY AND THE RULE OF LAW PRINCIPLE OF SUBSIDIARITY SOCIAL MARKET ECONOMY REAL POLITICAL PARTY INSTITUTIONS INSTITUTIONALIZATION OF THE POLITICAL PARTY SYSTEM

POLITICAL LANDSCAPE IS CHARACTERIZED BY PRESENCE OF MANY POLITICAL PARTIES WITH NO CLEAR PROGRAMS OF GOVERNANCE.

POLITICAL INSTABILITY BREEDS UNREST

G Government A? ACCOUNTABILITY? ACCESS? P PEOPLE

G Government P POLITICAL PARTY PEOPLE First, political parties develop policies and programmes Second, parties aggregate society’s demands and makes policy alternatives Third, parties are vehicles for recruitment of leaders POLITICAL PARTY P PEOPLE CHARACTERISTICS OF REAL POLITICAL PARTIES: MEMBERSHIP OF DUES-PAYING CITIZENS CLEAR IDEOLOGICAL ORIENTATION ADHERENCE TO INTERNAL DEMOCRATIC PROCEDURES ONGOING YEAR-ROUND ACTIVITIES TO ENSURE PARTICIPATION OF MEMBERS

THE NEED FOR REFORMS

Establishing genuine political parties and ensuring their accountability In contrast to prevailing political dynasties, Philippine political parties are comparatively weak. They merely serve as convenient electoral campaign vehicles during elections for the dynasties. A major political party reform bill has been languishing in Congress for the past seven years. It provides for rules and regulations of political parties, restricts turncoatism, institutes campaign finance regulations, and provides state subsidy to political parties. Political parties need to be strengthened first.

Enabling the Constitutional provision on political dynasties The banning of political dynasties is already a constitutional provision. Political dynasties come in two distinct forms: a horizontal one wherein members of a dynasty simultaneously hold different elective positions; and a vertical one, wherein an incumbent is succeeded to the same office by another dynasty member. Monopoly of political power thus prevails and the broader sections of the citizenry are left out of the political arena. Political dynasties are frequently the source of electoral fraud and violence. Increasing disenchantment of the people paralleled by the political clans’ own greed for power bring the dynasties to entertain various political options, including undemocratic methods.

Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) reforms The Sangguniang Kabataan is supposedly the major institution for the training of the youth for governance. It is empowered to make decisions on youth matters, has a budget of its own, and generally participates in various aspects of government work as these affect the youth. However, the whole system has broken down and deteriorated into a training ground for political dynasty successors. It needs to be reviewed if still useful and corrective measures should be undertaken to ensure it remains faithful to its original purpose of providing a necessary venue for the youth to participate in governance.

Constitutional Reforms The Philippine experience of the post-Marcos democracy points to the crucial role of the 1987 constitution in promoting democracy. The Aquino government enjoyed popular support of the anti-dictatorship forces and the people. It has the opportunity to correct historical errors and problems and institute political and social reforms to build and consolidate Philippine democracy. It and succeeding governments failed to achieve even the constitutionally-mandated reforms. They also failed to go beyond the shortsighted interests of the economic and political elite they represented. As a result, the economic, social and cultural conditions of the lower classes deteriorated even as the whole economy remained weak. Whatever constitutional reform that is proposed at this point in time is overshadowed by the fear that any charter change attempt may well result in the extension in power. The constitution itself needs to be revisited to pinpoint its weaknesses

Broadening people’s participation in democracy Constitutional reforms should lead to the nurturing of a democratic culture in society, including the military and police agencies. Disempowered, underrepresented and marginalized sectors should be guaranteed representation and participation in the democratic process. To this end, the proposals for shift to a parliamentary system as well as for the establishment of a federal state need to be seriously studied. Reforms should also enable the opening of democratic dialogues with alienated sectors, especially those involved in internal conflicts. The electoral process should guarantee their participation as long as they forego undemocratic and violent strategies and methods. The constitution should therefore foster loyalty and adherence to democratic ideals and guarantee the broadest people’s participation in governance and the electoral process.

Ensuring free and fair elections and other democratic processes Constitutional reforms should lead to the institutionalization of democratic political processes such as free and fair elections, direct democratic practices of referenda, recall and initiatives, and people’s consultations. Transparency and accountability are at the heart of the democratic order and should permeate all components of the electoral process as well as the governance process.

Consolidating democratic institutions Constitutional reforms should lead to the building or strengthening of democratic institutions such as the legislature, the courts, electoral bodies, political parties, anti-corruption agencies, human rights monitors, the mass media, civil society organizations, and local assemblies. The institution of elections stands as the crucial institution for consolidating Philippine democracy because of its ability to be inclusive of all the diverging political forces and interests. However, to be able to do this, it must be seen as free and fair, enabling all of these forces and interests to compete for power on an equal basis.

THUS, THE NEED FOR STRONG POLITICAL PARTY INSTITUTIONS