REAL TALK: The Liberal Party of the Philippines Can ONLY Become The Genuine Opposition Under A Genuine Parliamentary Constitution

PhilStar

It's difficult to talk with people who are still comfortable with what they already know, right? However, the term Dilawan need not be drowned in negativity, but it can be drowned in negativity if the brand gets marred in a popularity-based political system. The Philippines currently uses the presidential system. If we were in a parliamentary system right now--chances are Ferdinand "Bongbong" R. Marcos Jr. wouldn't be prime minister due to the difficulty involved as explained in "How to Become Singapore's Prime Minister, Explained in 7 Steps". That means all candidates would need to do the following:

1. Study and specialize
2. Wait for the call
3. Tea sessions and panels
4. Take a test
5. Perform well as an MP
6. Win the trust of your peers
7. Prepare for office

The Dilawans can call themselves the genuine opposition, march in their proud yellow t-shirts, and more. However, under a presidential system, there's no real opposition, and the platform of any party is often overshadowed by the leading candidate. For example, the presidential elections in the Philippines ended up with a Marcos Jr. vs. Atty. Maria Leonor "Leni" S. Gerona-Robredo personality-based election. The election might've as well taken place at an entertainment center. The presidency should be handed over to whoever wins in a one vs. one watch. Let's say that Marcos Jr. shoots more balls than Mrs. Robredo. It would be dumb to let Marcos Jr. win because he shot more balls. The same goes for letting Mrs. Robredo win because she simply shot more balls than Marcos Jr.

The Dilawans can have all the press conferences they want. They can rejoice in the acquittal of Atty. Leila De Lima. They can rejoice in Senator Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel in her pursuit of the Guo Hua Ping case. However, all of these don't really do any real checks and balances. It's because the presidential system is based on popularity, winner takes all types of elections. They can continue to glorify Mrs. Robredo for all they want. However, that's not really the best way to hold Marcos Jr. accountable. 

PARL

Take a look at the parliamentary system there in contrast to the Batasang Pambansa (National Assembly) by the late Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr. I wrote why the claim that Marcos Sr. built a parliamentary Philippines was so wrong. Unfortunately, never mind that the late Benigno Simeon "Ninoy" A. Aquino Jr. and the late Salvador "Doy" Laurel both challenged the legitimacy of Marcos Sr. sitting in power. Marcos Sr. has never been formally elected as president or prime minister. As the Martial Law Museum gives its details that the first Marcos Administration was never a real parliamentary system. Even more, Aquino Jr. even named the painful truth that the Philippines had a parliamentary system without a parliament. Later on, Cesar Virata was nominated as prime minister. However, a true parliamentarian in the late Lee Kuan Yew called Virata as a non-starter for politics. LKY would know better than those who claim that the first Marcos Administration was under a parliamentary system.

In other words, under a real parliamentary system, the Dilawan politicians would be face to face against each other. With the parliamentary elections focused on parties over platforms--the Dilawan brand is under the Liberal Party of the Philippines (LPP). If Filipinos are impressed by the LPP--the party would get a vote. The focus would be the LPP--not any candidate they would have for prime minister. If the LPP fails to secure government seats but gets enough votes--they will secure the opposition seats. That means the LPP would be sitting on the right side. As the Opposition, the LPP will have its Opposition Leader, Deputy Opposition Leader, and their own set of ministers to counter the government ministers.

This would be the role of the Liberal Party if it were they are the Opposition in a parliamentary system:

The primary role of the Official Opposition, as well as other, smaller opposition parties and Independent Members, is to question government actions, to present alternatives to government positions, and to provide the option of an alternative government.

The opposition enjoys privileges and duties well established by tradition. The floor of the Legislative Chamber provides opposition MLAs with a key area in which to perform their role, which is to scrutinize the policies and actions of the government. Opportunities for the opposition to perform their unique role include Oral Question Period and the two major debates: the Address in Reply to the Speech from the Throne and the budget. Debates on proposed legislation also give the opposition the chance to scrutinize the government and put forward amendments to bills. During the Estimates debates on proposed government expenditures (also known as the Committee of Supply), opposition Members will pose detailed questions on ministry spending plans for the upcoming fiscal year.

Opposition parties also work to communicate their views to British Columbians and to establish an identity as a possible alternative government. The opposition holds an important role in the Legislative Assembly and contributes to the effectiveness of British Columbia's parliamentary democracy by monitoring Cabinet and encouraging the government to act prudently and with accountability.

The source above comes from the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. That would be a legitimate parliamentary system. 

The Dilawans need to abandon the idea once and for all that, the Marcos Years were a real parliament. If only they saw how real parliamentary countries work--they would see the best. They would realize that for them to be in the Opposition (and that's as an entire party)-- they would need a genuine parliamentary system. That means when the LPP becomes the Opposition--it goes head-to-head against the incumbent government. For example, if PDP-Laban becomes the Government while LPP wins enough votes--the latter becomes the Opposition. LPP's role would be to question the government in person during the weekly question hour. The LPP would also provide alternatives for better governance.

What's LPP waiting for? Another miracle? Another leader like the late Benigno Simeon Aquino III? Another widow from their party? No, LPP needs to make the move now to say yes to a parliamentary Philippines, right now.