QC backs retention of presidential system

Delegates from Quezon City yesterday expressed their support for the retention of the presidential system as they also agreed with the proposal submitted by the Consultative Commission (con-com) to liberalize the country’s economic policies by allowing more foreign participation.

In a consultation held at the Philippine Social Science Center in Diliman, the delegates, who represent a cross section of the city’s residents, voted overwhelmingly for the retention of the presidential system.

According to the con-com, unfamiliarity with how a parliamentary system of government works, was a reason cited by the delegates in voting against the proposal to shift the country’s form of government from the present presidential to parliamentary.

For his part, Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. also expressed his support for the retention of the presidential form of government.

"I still want a presidential system and a strong presidency," he told reporters shortly after observing a consultation conducted by con-com commissioners with a group of city representatives.

Belmonte also expressed his opposition to the proposal to shift into a federal structure of government.

"I am not in favor of federal form of government. Mabuti ang nagkakaisa tayo. We speak one national language which is necessary for the sake of unity," he said.

Belmonte and the delegates from his city were in agreement that the country’s economic policies should be relaxed to allow for more foreign participation, both in terms of investments and management. This includes the ownership of land, public utilities, mass media and advertising agencies, educational institutions and exploration and development of natural resources.

Though the delegates who attended the consultations support the proposal to allow full foreign participation in the country’s economic affairs, they said that foreign participation must still be covered by government regulation.

Meanwhile, Belmonte told reporters that should the amended Constitution still allow the retention of the Senate, he suggested that the members of the Senate should be elected by regions instead.

"If we end up with a Senate, they should not be elected nationally. They tend to act as presidents. Ibalik sa konseptong law making ang mga iyan. Let the legislators do their job," he said.