Political instability continues to harm the country despite glowing economic statistics.
Part of this is because of the public officials now manning the ramparts of our democracy should not be there. They were elected by the force of guns, goons, gold and Garci types.

If the public officials represent the problem, the way for political ascendancy must therefore start with electoral reforms.

Witnessing past elections up close and personal, we venture herewith some suggestions. Certainly, they are broad stroke statements and the nuts and bolts thereof can be legislated.

We believe these reforms will likewise help erase the shameful tag of the country as Asia's Most Corrupt nation - engendered by crooked public officials and their conniving Private Sector allies - as it always takes two to tango.

The assumption here is that the Philippines stays under the Presidential form of Government during the next few years. Here are some suggestions:

(1.) Foremost is the complete Government Subsidy of all electoral campaign expenses and making vote-buying and vote-selling a criminal offense. Even if the Government spends billions here, it will be worthwhile in making elections less expensive (thus preventing corruption) and leveling the playing field between the rich and the poor candidates.

(2.) The terms of office for all candidates will be five years without reelection. Along with this is the strengthening of the Ombudsman, COA and Lifestyle Check groups that will make sure corruption and misdeeds while in public office are punished according to law.

(3.) Make unlawful all citizens pestering of public officials for donations for otherwise personal affairs as KBL (Kasal, Bunyag, Lubong).

(4.) Publication or broadcasting of all Pork Barrel projects of Congressmen and senators and allowing public scrutiny of infrastructure and social welfare projects as a given.

(5.) Computerization of all electoral process such that even national election winners can be known in a day or two as they are in India.

(6.) Complete revamp of the COMELEC especially those Commissioners known to have given the poll body a bad name in the recent past. Make it likewise a requirement for COMELEC Commissioners not to have been a member of a Political Party or a former Public Official (as Chairman Abalos is).

(7.) Accredit Political Parties only with specific positions on prime issues like Foreign Investment, wages, taxation, agrarian reform, foreign ownership of Philippine assets, agrarian reform, penal code, charter change, environment, education, justice system, human rights, population control, poverty alleviation, cheap medicine bill etc.

(8.) All candidates must affiliate with any of these parties that reflect his or her positions on the issues. Ban on all political turn-coatism within a five-year period.

(9.) Approve an enabling Law by Congress on Political Dynasties defining the degrees of sanguinity and the positions disallowed to be filled up by relations.

(10.) Redefine the Party List system which is still replete with controversies as to Percentage Computation per representative and work out a Formula that will enable Party List representatives to corner at least 25% of the total seats in Congress.

(11.) Voter Education System of High School and College Education be a requirement where at least one subject is required for to-be-voters or new voters among the student ranks to appreciate what Political Parties stand for and discussion of issues potential candidates represent as individual politicians.

(12.) Lessen the involvement of the Military in the conduct of the Election Process and that a Special Armed Force Unit be trained specifically for this purpose under the Office of the Supreme Court.

Some of these may fail strict legal and practical scrutiny, but we certainly will make these suggested reforms available to any one in Congress who cares enough to know.
After all they are paid to craft sensible, useful laws.

Readers may likewise use them for their own individual advocacies.

* * * * *
For Comments: email to bingo_dejaresco@boholchronicle.com Or editor@boholchronicle.com