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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.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Chikiamco noted that corruption isn\u2019t unique to the Philippines, pointing out issues in places like Vietnam and Malaysia. \u201cThe scale might be different here, but if we want to put a stop to it, we need to revamp our political and economic systems,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
A solid political party system could help eliminate the perks currently enjoyed by politicians in the existing setup. \u201cWe need a well-funded party system so that individual politicians aren\u2019t tempted to steal just to fund their campaigns,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n
This proposed system aims to break the grip of family dynasties that are often blamed for corruption. \u201cRight now, we don\u2019t have a solid party system; politicians switch parties like it\u2019s no big deal,\u201d he mentioned.<\/p>\n
He\u2019s open to any kind of party system, whether it\u2019s two-parties or multiple, but stressed that there should be laws against party-switching\u2014no more turncoat antics!<\/p>\n
\u201cThese are steps we can take to reshape our system. Simply jailing corrupt officials won\u2019t change what drives them to keep stealing,\u201d he continued.<\/p>\n
On the economic front, Chikiamco argued for loosening Filipino-first policies, as neighboring countries like Taiwan, Japan, and China have welcomed foreign investors.<\/p>\n
\u201cMore foreign investment is a good thing! It leads to job creation, especially with exports,\u201d he pointed out. \u201cTo protect local industries, we need to look at exchange rates; a weaker exchange rate makes imports more expensive,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
He warned that sticking to strict Filipino-first policies only leads to monopolies and oligopolies. So, constitutional change is essential!<\/p>\n
At the same time, he urged for economic reforms to help local industries compete better. \u201cTo be globally competitive, we need to drive down food prices and labor costs,\u201d he stated.<\/p>\n
Chikiamco also emphasized the importance of simplifying the constitution to allow for faster adaptations to the ever-changing world. \u201cOur constitution is one of the longest in the world, making it tough to enact changes when new tech or conditions arise,\u201d he noted.<\/p>\n
His insights come amid ongoing government investigations into alleged corruption linked to flood control projects launched in August, which have also implicated top officials.<\/p>\n
BUSINESS GROUPS<\/strong><\/p>\n 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. \u201cWe\u2019re facing a real challenge; let\u2019s tackle that first,\u201d he said. \u201cThe constitution can be looked at later for tweaks.\u201d<\/p>\n He added that timing is crucial when it comes to amending the constitution. \u201cRight now, we have serious concerns. Opening the door to constitutional changes might stir up vested interests,\u201d he warned in a mix of English and Filipino.<\/p>\n Barcelon highlighted the importance of addressing current issues, as the country is lagging in attracting foreign direct investment. \u201cWe\u2019re on the radar for potential investors, but we lack the necessary conditions to get them onboard,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Makati Business Club Chairman Edgar O. Chua cautioned against a total overhaul of the constitution. \u201cWhile we may not have a perfect constitution, changing everything isn\u2019t the solution. Let\u2019s focus on the parts that need strengthening,\u201d he said, suggesting that enhancing the political party system is key. \u201cRight now, too much of our politics is driven by personalities,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n