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The Federation of Economic Freedom (FEF) believes it’s time for the Philippines to shake things up a bit. They suggest amending the constitution to tackle corruption at its roots. The current weak political party system is giving politicians too many incentives to act unethically.
“What we really need is a constitutional change, a robust political party system, and a shift in our economic model that prioritizes Filipino needs,” shared FEF President Calixto V. Chikiamco during the Pilipinas Conference on Friday.
He proposed holding elections for a Constitutional Convention in 2028, right alongside the presidential elections. This new group would then have a couple of years to craft a fresh constitution.
Chikiamco noted that corruption isn’t unique to the Philippines, pointing out issues in places like Vietnam and Malaysia. “The scale might be different here, but if we want to put a stop to it, we need to revamp our political and economic systems,” he added.
A solid political party system could help eliminate the perks currently enjoyed by politicians in the existing setup. “We need a well-funded party system so that individual politicians aren’t tempted to steal just to fund their campaigns,” he explained.
This proposed system aims to break the grip of family dynasties that are often blamed for corruption. “Right now, we don’t have a solid party system; politicians switch parties like it’s no big deal,” he mentioned.
He’s open to any kind of party system, whether it’s two-parties or multiple, but stressed that there should be laws against party-switching—no more turncoat antics!
“These are steps we can take to reshape our system. Simply jailing corrupt officials won’t change what drives them to keep stealing,” he continued.
On the economic front, Chikiamco argued for loosening Filipino-first policies, as neighboring countries like Taiwan, Japan, and China have welcomed foreign investors.
“More foreign investment is a good thing! It leads to job creation, especially with exports,” he pointed out. “To protect local industries, we need to look at exchange rates; a weaker exchange rate makes imports more expensive,” he added.
He warned that sticking to strict Filipino-first policies only leads to monopolies and oligopolies. So, constitutional change is essential!
At the same time, he urged for economic reforms to help local industries compete better. “To be globally competitive, we need to drive down food prices and labor costs,” he stated.
Chikiamco also emphasized the importance of simplifying the constitution to allow for faster adaptations to the ever-changing world. “Our constitution is one of the longest in the world, making it tough to enact changes when new tech or conditions arise,” he noted.
His insights come amid ongoing government investigations into alleged corruption linked to flood control projects launched in August, which have also implicated top officials.
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However, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chair George T. Barcelon urged the government to first focus on flood control before diving into constitutional changes. “We’re facing a real challenge; let’s tackle that first,” he said. “The constitution can be looked at later for tweaks.”
He added that timing is crucial when it comes to amending the constitution. “Right now, we have serious concerns. Opening the door to constitutional changes might stir up vested interests,” he warned in a mix of English and Filipino.
Barcelon highlighted the importance of addressing current issues, as the country is lagging in attracting foreign direct investment. “We’re on the radar for potential investors, but we lack the necessary conditions to get them onboard,” he said.
Makati Business Club Chairman Edgar O. Chua cautioned against a total overhaul of the constitution. “While we may not have a perfect constitution, changing everything isn’t the solution. Let’s focus on the parts that need strengthening,” he said, suggesting that enhancing the political party system is key. “Right now, too much of our politics is driven by personalities,” he added.
He also expressed concerns about who would take charge of changing the constitution. “I believe we can work within the framework of our current constitution,” he concluded. — Justine Irish D. Tabile
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