Shift from Presidential Bicameral to Parliamentary Unicameral

By:

JOJI ILAGAN BIAN

COMMISSIONER Charter Change Advocacy Commission

Presidential/
Bicameral System
Features of Presidential System
I. Separation of powers of the 3 branches
Judicial

Parliamentary/
Unicameral System
Features of Parliamentary System
I. Fusion of Executive and Legislative Branches
Judicial

Executive

Legislative

Executive

Legislative

EXECUTIVE and LEGISLATIVE

Characterized by the fusion or union of the executive and legislative branch

The powers of government are exercised by the Parliament under the leadership of the Prime Minister, who belongs to the majority party or majority coalition of political parties

Head of State Head of Government

Members of the Parliament

Presidential/
Bicameral System
II. CHECKS AND

Parliamentary/
Unicameral System

BALANCE
EXECUTIVE LOWER HOUSE UPPER HOUSE

II.CHECKS AND BALANCE



 

SHADOW CABINET QUESTION HOUR VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE DISSOLUTION OF PARLIAMENT

Presidential/
Bicameral System
III. Effects of Separation of Powers and Checks and Balances:
A. Intense rivalry and competition for Power among the Branches of government B. Gridlock and Impasse result C. Failure of Government to move forward to achieve its programs

Parliamentary/
Unicameral System
III. Effects/Consequence s of Fusion:
A. Rivalry and competition for power is largely eliminated B. The Fusion of Executive and Legislative Branches eliminates gridlock C. There is a coordinated, efficient & effective exercise of legislative & executive powers.

Presidential/
Bicameral System
D. Waste of Money and

Parliamentary/
Unicameral System D. More cost effective: Waste of money and resources is eliminated.

Resources

Congress and Senate have the following budgets:



SENATE Budget of approximately P1.2 Billion P72 million in committee funds; P12million in travel funds: plus undetermined office funds House of Representatives Budget of approximately P4.5 Billion Combined PDAF (Pork Barrel) of P21 Billion

Presidential/
Bicameral System
E.Lack of Responsiveness to the Public 1. Because of the fixed term of the president, and the members of the Senate and Congress, they forget to be responsive to the public. After all, they remain secure in their positions.
2. It is not easy to point to the other branches as the cause of the failure to perform

Parliamentary/
Unicameral System
E.More Responsive and Accountable to the People 1. The Prime Minister and Cabinet Members do not have fixed terms. They may be removed anytime by a vote of No Confidence by Parliament. Parliament may be dissolved for unsatisfactory performance. 2. Responsibility for poor performance is easily determined.

Presidential/
Bicameral System IV. Nature of Elections
A. Nationwide in scope to elect a President and Senators

Parliamentary/
Unicameral System IV. Nature of Elections
A. No more national elections. Elections will all be in legislative or Congressional Districts

Presidential/
Bicameral System
B. Effects of National Elections:
1. Too expensive: P2P2-P5 Billion resulting in political debts that start a cycle of corruption 2. Persons with fame, popularity and money (regardless of qualifications) are the ones who get elected

Parliamentary/
Unicameral System
B. Effects of having

Local Elections only:

1. Much less expensive 2. Persons known in the District and Community to have competence in governance and who have a heart for public service now stand a better chance of being elected

Presidential/
Bicameral System
3. Getting elected is not based on party platform and ideology but on the personalities and popularity of the candidate 4. The nationally elected leaders are distant and detached from the people

Parliamentary/
Unicameral System
3. Getting elected will be program and ideologyideologybased. A party will also be selected in the elections. Turncoatism Turncoatism is prohibited. 4. The members of parliament, having been elected locally are more accessible to their constituencies; are more responsive

Presidential/
Bicameral System
V. Removal from Office of Head of Government

Parliamentary/
Unicameral System
V. Removal from Office of Head of Government

By impeachment
Effects: 1. Leads to military adventurism 2. Leads to instability and people power revolts

By Vote of No Confidence

TRANSPARENCY INTERNATIONAL : LEAST CORRUPT COUNTRIES

2000 1. FINLAND 2001 FINLAND DENMARK NEW ZEALAND ICELAND SINGAPORE SWEDEN CANADA NETHERLANDS LUXEMBOURG NORWAY AUSTRALIA SWITZERLAND UNITED KINGDOM HONGKONG AUSTRIA ISRAEL USA CHILE IRELAND GERMANY 2002 FINLAND DENMARK NEW ZEALAND ICELAND SINGAPORE SWEDEN CANADA LUXEMBOURG NETHERLANDS UNITED KINGDOM AUSTRALIA NORWAY SWITZERLAND HONGKONG AUSTRIA USA CHILE GERMANY ISRAEL BELGIUM 2003 FINLAND ICELAND NEW ZEALAND DENMARK SINGAPORE SWEDEN NETHERLANDS AUSTRALIA NORWAY SWITZERLAND CANADA LUXEMBOURG UNITED KINGDOM AUSTRIA HONGKONG GERMANY BELGIUM IRELAND USA CHILE 2004 FINLAND NEW ZEALAND DENMARK ICELAND SINGAPORE SWEDEN SWITZERLAND NORWAY AUSTRALIA NETHERLANDS UNITED KINGDOM CANADA AUSTRIA LUXEMBOURG GERMANY HONGKONG BELGIUM IRELAND USA CHILE

2. DENMARK 3. NEW ZEALAND 4. SWEDEN 5. CANADA 6. ICELAND 7. NORWAY 8. SINGAPORE 9. NETHERLANDS 10. UNITED KINGDOM 11. LUXEMBOURG 12. SWITZERLAND 13. AUSTRALIA 14. USA 15. AUSTRIA 16. HONGKONG 17. GERMANY 18. CHILE 19. IRELAND 20. SPAIN

PEOPLE POWER
Change the Constitution Now!