It's something when people keep saying, "It's not the constitution that's the problem! It's the people!" The rise of Victor "Vico" Ma. Regis Nubla Sotto can be something. It's a breath of fresh air. People might use Vico (aside from every other candidate they blindly adore like some god or goddess) to resist the need for constitutional reform. Previously, I wrote about whether or not the late Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" C. Aquino III should be a reason not to pursue economic charter change. Now, I'd like to write a post on whether or not Vico should be a reason to reject constitutional reform.
I read through The Philippine Star and found an interesting article on Vico. As I read through it, here's something Vico said, and hopefully, he's for constitutional reform:
“Good governance isn’t flashy, but it is the bedrock of progress. If you build the right systems and lead with integrity, everything else – whether scholarships, health services or infrastructure – will follow,” he said.
That means waiting for some "ideal perfect leader" is just stupid. Scientifically speaking, it's not even possible to literally create a perfect leader, either. I wonder if people who are saying, "If only everyone had a Vico Sotto!" are actually aware the problem is more systemic in nature. Systemic, in short, within the system!
The usual comments I hear are:
- "Vote wisely!"
- "Don't be stupid!"
You must define and protect our individual freedoms and rights; you must decide how our different institutions of state will relate to each other. Do not be distracted by political debates and matters of policy that do not belong within your constitution-making exercise. You are here appointed, by the people’s wish, to write a constitution; you are not here as elected politicians.
Bear in mind that you shall be pondering, debating and writing a constitution not only for our contemporaries with their present concerns, but also for succeeding generations of Filipinos whose first concerns we cannot presume to know beforehand. Future Filipinos must always be free to decide how to address these concerns as they arise. Even the wisest cures for present maladies should not be imposed on succeeding generations that will have their own unique problems and priorities.
True and long-lived constitutions, a wise justice has told me, should be broad enough to be able to meet every exigency we cannot foretell and specific enough to stoutly protect the essentials of a true democracy; in short, open-ended documents that will always be relevant. Remember that constitutional changes are not safe or easy to come by. Our first attempt at constitutional revision was followed by a dictatorship. And this, our second endeavor, was preceded by a revolution.
Future Filipinos and their legislatures and Supreme Courts can best assess and address the challenges they will meet if they enjoy the widest latitude of thought and action. In writing a constitution have the fullest confidence that the wisdom of our race is exhausted in us. Our race has grown in wisdom over time. I believe it will continue to do so.
Yours is indeed no easy task. On the other hand, depending on the result, yours will be no small glory. Our people have suffered much.
As we look into it, what made a phenomenon like Vico hard to come by? It's because we're still stuck in the same status quo. We're stuck with an outdated constitution. Mrs. Aquino even said that there will be unique problems and priorities. Again, it would've been better if Mrs. Aquino said those words not as a chief executive but as a chief representative. The late Salvador "Doy" Laurel Jr. could've served as the Head of Government while Mrs. Aquino served as the Head of State. Mrs. Aquino would've made a good representative, acceptor of credentials, door opener, etc. as a purely ceremonial role, like the Singaporean president!
Facebook Netizen Daniel Matthew Bornales writes this on his Facebook wall:
The problem lies in the fact na ang system natin (is that our system) doesn’t prioritize competence, integrity, or track record. Instead, it rewards those who can capture attention and pull strings.
That's why Vico Sotto feels like a breath of fresh air – not because wala nang ibang magagaling na leaders (there are no other great leaders), but because the system makes it so hard for them to break through.
It’s not that Filipinos don’t know how to vote wisely – it’s that the system itself limits our choices and opportunities. If we really want more leaders like Vico, we need to change the way we choose our leaders.
We need to change our outdated, lousy 1987 Constitution that has held us back from progress for DECADES!
This is another breath of fresh air from some psychotic boomers who continue to insist, "We must wait for the perfect leader!" Some people treat Noynoy like he were some fairy from above. Some people think that by voting for Atty. Maria Leonor "Leni" S. Gerona-Robredo would've "magically solved" all the problems. This is the problem of people who still rely on sources like Atty. Hilario G. Davide Jr. or Atty. Christian Monsod, Solita Collas-Monsod, or Richard Heydarian, to name a few. Yes, Heydarian's Sub-Saharan comment was very unbecoming of an analyst!
If I'm to say it my way, I'd say, "Filipinos don't know how to vote wisely, because our system is based on popularity." Reforming the people first? Please, it's systems that will shape the behavior of people, including politicians. The real problem spring from certain weaknesses in the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines. We have the Bill of Rights but that is never enough to help curb corruption. We need ways to make sure we have better leaders--not always wait for a Vico!
The 1987 Constitution has its strengths. However, the same Constitution also has weaknesses. In the quest for constitutional reform, we carry out the good (ex. Bill of Rights) while we get rid of the bad (ex. presidential system, economic restrictions hardcoded in the constitution).