MANILA, Philippines — Rep. Lito Atienza of party-list group Buhay yesterday called for a return to the old two-party system to restore check and balance in elections and governance.
“The large number of congressional and local candidates who ran unopposed in Monday’s midterm elections has brought to light the country’s dysfunctional democracy. Having a lone candidate for an elective post is bad for voters who are left with no choice,” he said.
“It is also bad for government and for our system of checks and balance, and bad for our political parties as well,” he said.
Atienza noted that at least 36 congressional candidates had no opponents, assuring them of victory.
He said dozens of candidates for governor, mayor and other local posts also ran without opposition.
“Just like in business, competition is absolutely necessary to provide consumers – in this case voters – greater freedom to choose, and to encourage fair play,” he said.
“What is happening now is that many candidates are just negotiating among themselves, with the stronger ones usually buying out their weaker rivals,” the former three-term Manila mayor said.
Atienza pointed out that before martial law, when the nation had the two-party system, “there were no unopposed candidates at all.”
“The two dominant parties then – the Liberal Party and the Nacionalista Party – had to put up candidates no matter what. They each had to look for and field candidates for every post. If a candidate withdraws for any reason, the party had to designate another runner,” he said.
He added that under the present setup, it is not uncommon to see “an exceptionally strong and popular candidate running unopposed.”