The first step to a political reboot: Abolish Congress

In a report written in the context of the flood control scandal, the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) made a striking conclusion: the country’s bicameral system has become so dysfunctional that it may be time to dissolve both the Senate and Congress and replace them with a single parliament.

- ANDREW J. MASIGAN

The PIDS laid bare six compelling reasons for its recommendation, each an indictment of the broken bicameral system.

First, the current system is built on self-interest and impunity. Why? Because lawmakers craft the very budget they later benefit from. It is, in essence, a budget made by congressmen — and too often, stolen by congressmen.

Second, corruption has spiraled out of control. Independent watchdogs estimate that the country loses between P700 billion and P1.4 trillion annually to corruption—much of it instigated or abetted by lawmakers themselves. Over a decade, this translates to trillions lost — funds that could have financed modern infrastructure, transformational education or a more substantive national health care system.

Third, numerous senators and congressmen have been convicted or are currently persons of interest for corruption. Corrupt officials cannot have a hand in budget preparation. Corrupt officials cannot investigate themselves. Corrupt officials do not deserve the power, privilege and subsidies that the state provides.

Fourth, corruption fuels patronage and this erodes the political system.

Fifth, congressional oversight is virtually nonexistent. Investigations usually stall because the investigators are themselves guilty and are afraid of being implicated.

Sixth, representation is unequal. The Senate remains dominated by Luzon elites, marginalizing the Visayas and Mindanao.

A political reboot

Those familiar with my writings know that I have been calling for a political reboot since early 2025. Abolishing the bicameral structure in favor of a parliamentary system is the first step in this process. It is one part of a broader restructuring.