Abolish Congress?

At the rate this sordid corruption mess is slowly unfolding, I agree with a PIDS (a government economic think tank) news release that said what we are afraid to say: dissolving Congress makes sense.

- BOO CHANCO

“Calls are growing louder for radical reform — even dissolving Congress temporarily to allow a civilian-military transition government tasked with cleansing the system. The logic is simple: you cannot expect thieves to investigate themselves,” PIDS said.

If things don’t offer us hope soon, more and more people will think it is worthwhile to just have the President issue decrees and save us the trillion pesos for the operating expenses and the pork funds of a useless legislative body.

Personally, I am afraid of another Marcos president issuing decrees, given my martial law experience. But we are closer and closer to a dead-end situation which gives us little choice but to take chances on what hopefully is the lesser evil.

PIDS suggests: “A one-year transition could convene a constitutional convention to shift toward a parliamentary system — one that reduces the number of legislators, regionalizes the election of senators, and decentralizes power away from Manila’s political dynasties...”

I would rather abolish the Senate. One legislative body limited to just 150 members should be enough. I also don’t trust a transition junta of civilian and military officials. BBM issuing decrees is still better, as one man is accountable.

The PIDS justifies dissolution of this Congress as necessary to break the cycle that has put us in this mess.

First, conflict of interest — Congress cannot continue to write and police its own budget.

Second, entrenched corruption — patronage politics and discretionary funds ensure loyalty, not transparency.

Third, unequal representation — the Senate remains dominated by Luzon-based elites, marginalizing Visayas and Mindanao.

Fourth, weak oversight — Investigations stall because they implicate those conducting them.