What system of government do you think is best for our country?

Our present system is the best; only good governance is lacking to make this country great again. – Ricardo Tolentino, Laoag City

Although corruption and destabilization could still persist, a shift to a parliamentary form of government may be better. – Leandro Tolentino, Batangas City

Democracy has poisoned us

The system has ruined society to decadence. We have corrupt officials with unexplained wealth. Too much democracy has poisoned us. There are groups who sow anarchy and there is extreme partisanship. Despite harsher laws, implementation is easier said than done. God save us. – Nestor Buñag, Mandaluyong City

Our present system is best

Democracy is the best, because our love for freedom is such that our forefathers sacrificed their lives for it. – Justo Cammayo, Isabela

The system of government that is best for our country today, considering the current upheavals, is guided democracy for a disciplined citizenry. – Col Ben Paguirigan Jr., Ret., Zamboanga City

It’s still the democratic system so we get to choose who is going to lead us. We are just so unlucky that we have not found the right leader who really wants to serve the people. The ones we get are those who want the position for money and power. Besides, we have had the same system for so long. – Rose Leobrera, Manila

I still go for the democratic form of government. It may not be perfect, but there’s still checks and balances, suffrage, equal justice, and executives are accountable for their acts. – Robert Young Jr., San Juan

It’s still the presidential form of government for me, even if in a democratic country, leaders tend to abuse their powers. – Lydia Reyes, Bataan

Our present system is already the best, but sad to say, it does not benefit the people governed. We have not progressed. – Romeo Caubat, Masbate

I think our system is working well under a democractic setup. It’s just a matter of finding a good leader and person for the job. – Dr. Gerry Penserga, Leyte

For me, the democratic form of government is still the best for our country. We’ve gotten used to it. – Armando Tavera, Las Piñas City

A question of integrity

The Presidential system suits our country’s interests best. It would be easier for a leader to become corrupt in a parliamentary system because the Senate would be non-existent. Our problem is not the system, but the lords in politics. They dictate policies to perpetuate and protect their business. – Elpidio Que, Vigan

What our country needs is a system of integrity and honesty among our government officials. – June Deoferio, Taguig City

It’s not the form of government we need to change. Let’s just have the right people to run our country. – Jun Cajucom, Tacloban City

The presidential system is fine. People in government must change their ways. Hmm, isama mo na lahat ng Pinoy sa pagbabago! – Ferdie Estrella, Baliuag

Any system of government will do. All we need are good honest leaders. I hope Filipinos start seeing this country as heaven. – Nap Cinco, Rizal

Presidential pa rin. Ang problema naman natin ay iyong mga politicians natin, nothing else. – Gil Balobalo, Laguna

If morally-bankrupt officials continue to rule us, the system of government we have is insignificant and is not a factor for national progress. – Leonard Villa, Laoag City

Any major overhaul in the system is costly and futile. The problem lies not in the vehicle (system of government) per se but in a driver who is corrupt and abusive! – Geoffrey Gumban, Davao City

Our democratic form of government is best for our country, but those who govern us are the ones who destroy our system. They should be changed. – Gerry del Cano, Tarlac

To a country whose leaders are honest, sincere, and truly God-fearing, any system of government will do. But if its leaders lie, cheat and are corrupt, any system would be a disaster. – E. Linsangan, Isabela

Prior to Marcos, the presidential government with a two-party system performed well in post-war Philippines. After Edsa 1, the same government with a multi-party system has  seen the unprecedented deterioration of integrity and moral values of public officials from top to bottom. If these political mercenaries succeed in finally establishing a parliamentary government, we may have an Arroyo dynasty that may give us a world record in corruption. – William Gonzaga, Marikina City

Any system of government is acceptable as long as there are no corrupt officials conniving with businessmen. – Roger Briones, Mandaluyong City

The present system of our government is okay. The problem lies in greedy politicians who have crab mentality. – C. Manalastas, Manila

No matter what system of government we have, as long as we have the kind of politicians and voters we have today, it won’t work. – Manuel Abejero, Pangasinan

Kahit ano pa ang sistema, hindi uunlad ang ating bansa kung lahat na namumuno ay corrupt! – Diony Yap, Bacolod City

Parliamentary system

For us to keep up with our progressive Asian neighbors, I’m tempted to suggest a shift to a parliamentary government. It’s time to change. – Jim Veneracion, Naga City

I would like a parliamentary form of government, so that it would be easy to kick out corrupt leaders. – Nene Biason, Las Piñas City

I believe that we should now adopt a parliamentary form of government, which has proven effective among our neighbors in the Asian region. We must do away with too many expensive elections. Political parties should be limited to only two – with no more party lists and no more Sangguniang Kabataan. The new system must trim the bureaucracy and must be proactive with the economic thrusts that encourage foreign investment into our country. – I. Calata, Parañaque City

A parliamentary system of government will be better and less expensive. – Reuben Santos, San Juan City

The world is changing, so we also need to change for the best – and that means changing from a presidential to a parliamentary system. – Dave Velasco, Marinduque

Why not try the parliamentary system? Baka umunlad tayo like Japan and the UK. If not, let’s try other systems until we succeed. – Orlando Lim, Caloocan City

After long years of sad experiences with our present system, I believe that the parliamentary system of government is best for our country. Members of the Parliament will be elected by region, thus election expenses will be significantly reduced. Even if the President is elected at large, the position will no longer be highly contested because the President will no longer be as powerful. Legislation will also be faster and more efficient. – Rodolfo Capili, Caloocan City

Let’s try the parliamentary form. And let’s all do our share of initiating inner change. – G.M. Caguioa, Dagupan City

I think a parliamentary system is best for our country. The problem is, most of us don’t want the best for our country. – Boyet Angeles, Quezon City

In my opinion, the best system of government in our country is a parliamentary system of government for this will fit the temperament of Filipinos. – Manny Gamo Sr., Las Piñas City

A new system of government that is unicameral, federal, and parliamentary. – Norberto Robles, Taguig

With the kind of electorate we have, we need a parliamentary form of government with a talented and strong-willed leader. – Rey Ibalan, Antipolo City

Let’s go federal-parliamentary. We need Charter change and character change. Ang pagbabago dapat magsimula sa sarili muna. – Edwin Castillo, Tanauan City

With the parliamentary system, elections will be cheaper and the results will be faster. No more grandstanding senators. – Dr. Manolo Cristi, Quezon City

I prefer a semi-parliamentary form of government which the late Raul S. Manglapus and his Christian social movement had envisioned. – Erwin Espinosa, Pangasinan

A semi-parliamentary form of government is practical and less expensive since we’ll only have one Congress to worry about. – Glen Medina, Quezon City

Parliamentary, French-style, where the President is elected by the people and then the President appoints the Prime Minister. – S.C. Tomines, Tarlac City

Better chances under a federal government

We should adopt a federal system of government. Each state can collect and spend their taxes independently. That way, the National Capital Region would have no monopoly of the pork barrel. – Vic Alim, Caloocan City

A federal system would be best. It’ll give Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao autonomy but they would still be answerable to a central government. – Dino Monzon, Caloocan City

Federalism will promote equal distribution of progress through competitive efforts in every federation. – J. Sandico, Pampanga

We can have a federal form of governance to lessen Imperial Manila’s power-grabbers, brokers, oligarchs. – Ric Dungog, Cebu City

The federal system of government is better because other regions can have their own economic plans and this could lead to progress in the Visayas and Mindanao. – Johann Lucas, Quezon City

Our current system is tumultuous. Federalism or parliamentary are options through Cha-cha. – P. Alagano Sr., Vigan

A dictatorship wouldn’t be so bad

Only an honest, benevolent dictator can cleanse our society. Too bad an honest person can’t be found. – Juan Eduardo, Baguio City

The ideal system would be a benevolent dictatorship. – Renato Taylan, Ilocos Norte

The Philippines’ best years were during the dictatorship of Marcos. There were no rallies and the newspapers, TV, and radio carried only good news. I’d go for a dictatorship. – Vicky Martinez, Cebu

The way Mayor Duterte runs Davao is what our country sorely needs. Damn them left-leaning human rights advocates. We need discipline, and we need it now. – T. Villanueva, Las Piñas City

With power-grabbers and raging mobs sowing anarchy and disorder in our midst, a Marcos-style dictatorship, combined with Idi Amin’s, isn’t such a bad idea. – N. Campaner, Tacloban City

I believe that a dictatorial form of government is the best for the country provided that the dictator is an angel. – Joel Caluag, Bulacan

We need a strongman-President who can temper the ever-nosy Congress. – Fred Caguioa, Dagupan City

The best form of government for us is a dictatorship with “Malakas” and “Maganda.” Why? Para wala na ‘yang mga Senate investigation na moro-moro rin at para di tayo makapalag kasi takot. O di ba, tahimik! – Gerii Calupitan, Mandaluyong City

We should moderate our behaviors with a Lee Kuan Yew style of governance to achieve tangible results. – Pedro Alagano Sr., Vigan City

Outlaw dynasties

Any system of government will be effective as long as present and past (for at least as far back as two decades) politicians are banned from any post. – Ed Rito, Pasig City

Either presidential or parliamentary, sans corrupt political dynasties, would do. – Dr. Hiram Tiburcio, Lapulapu City

Just fix the electoral process

Our problem is not the system but the corrupt poll body and our stupid electorate. Magbago lang tayo at luminis ang Comelec, aasenso na ang Pilipino! - Ric Vergara, Calamba

Improve the present system

The present system is good for us if only our Constitution is amended to correct the flaws that have been causing bureaucratic red tape and inefficiency in governance. The legislative branch should be unicameral to hasten legislature. Our judicial system must deviate from being adversarial to investigative and conciliatory so that no litigation party would be at a disadvantage due to poverty or lack of influence. The qualification of voters and candidates should be upgraded to assure that only competent and upright people shall be elected. – Germi Sison, Cabanatuan City

The present system will do, provided we go back to a two-party system and implement a law versus turncoatism. – Art Atienza, San Juan

The best is still the present one. What is needed is to correct the defects or dysfunctions identified, eliminate political clans, and make it very difficult for the oligarchs with their vested interests to thrive in the system. – Rey Onate, Palayan City

Our system of government may stay but the President and VP should be elected as one team, not separately. The Senate should be elected by region with no legislative power but will be like a super ombudsman. A smaller house enacts laws.  – Nony de Leon, Malolos

Let’s bring back the old system

In my experience, the system of government provided in the 1935 Constitution, minus the rancor and hatred of the provisions in the 1987 Constitution, is best suited to this country. – Josh Pacatang, Dipolog City

The multi-party system should be abolished. We should go back to a two-party system and copy the US primaries by barnstorming all regions. – Ed Alawi, Davao City

Constitutionalism

Constitutionalism is the best type of government where individual freedom is guaranteed from abusive governance. – Eric Gopilan, Taguig City

MUMBO-JUMBO

Hurray to Sen. Jamby for invoking Section 20 of CA provision against star-studded Palace military appointees. There simply are too many generals in the Cabinet. It’s for the good of the President, too. The Palace may be faulted for resubmitting names of appointees even if they were disapproved many times in the past. – C.K. Yeo, Iloilo City

THE WAY I SEE IT

We are the world’s best English-speaking state that’s why many countries want to hire our OFWs, tapos heto ang Bb. Pilipinas World  na biglang  carabao English. – Arlene Go, Manila

A divided Philippines can only be united by a military takeover. Pity. – Antonio Atienza, Las Piñas City

Funny but it’s Manny Pacquiao. He is the only Filipino today that can unite this troubled nation. During his fights, few crimes are recorded and no corruption is committed because all politicians are busy watching him live or on TV. – Chris Navarro, Las Piñas City

Our people are models of resiliency. When someone is talking of serious matters, people from the audience are in groups talking to each other having their own agenda and not listening. They laugh and joke at their most serious condition to maintain their sanity. – Genaro Ramoso, Zambales

I hope the Senate circus will already end. If there is sufficient evidence, it’s time to bring them to court. Enough of the grandstanding. – Jeosuit Arradaza, Ormoc City

‘SURPRISE’ WITNESS

Sen  Lacson should have rehearsed more wit his witness. Ayan nakuryente tuloy siya, surprise. – R. Andrade, Leyte

Lacson has lost his fairness. He is no longer finding facts, but fishing evidence to pin down his target. – Rollie de Leon, Valenzuela City

It was bound to happen, sooner or later. Lacson’s latest surprise witness Leo San Miguel turned out to be a Trojan horse. Nakuryente, he he he.– Vic Alim, Caloocan City

Sen. Lacson has an egg on his face, courtesy of San Miguel’s chicken feed. – Luis Lesaca, Quirino

REACTIONS

To Phil. Star: Your March 13 editorial cartoon is one reason why people power won’t work this time. Sampal ito kina Cory, et al. – Edwin Castillo, Tanauan City

To Ed Natad: Many thanks for expressing concern on my view/comment. – Ric Vergara, Calamba

To C. Mendez and A. Calica: San Miguel never pinned down Abalos and others in his testimony. Your reporting is biased and slanted and not truthful. – M. Culala, Marikina City

Indeed, The STAR is the only broadsheet that epitomizes balanced, objective and unbiased newspaper reporting. – Prof. Alarcon, St. Claire College (Thanks for the compliment. – Ed.)

Views expressed in this section do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of The STAR. The STAR does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of readers exercising their right to free expression. The publication also reserves the right to edit contributions to this section as it sees fit.

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