MY three-part column late last month suggesting an agenda for the incoming Senate discussed cursorily five interrelated topics among the myriad that need reforms: political dynasties, the perverted party-list, the dysfunctional presidential system, political party reforms and a shift to parliamentary government.

Today’s column is an addendum consolidating the above issues in an attempt to propose changes in the Constitution. Our experiences in constitutional revision/amendments over the years have been futile and frustrating given that three of the two methods of revising the constitution — constitutional convention (ConCon) and constituent assembly (ConAss) leave decision-making entirely to the Senate and the House. And they have been indecently dribbling the ball all along, so to speak – unable to free themselves from the shackles of self-interest.

But we, the Centrist Democrats (CD/CDPI/CDP) have not lost hope. We are therefore proposing to the 20th Congress a doable enterprise, this time involving direct participation of our citizenry. The third mode for amending the constitution — people’s initiative (PI). The mechanics will be discussed thoroughly in next week’s column.

PI will target a shift to parliamentary government from a dysfunctional presidential system and the deletion of some onerous constitutional provisions that are restrictive to our economic growth and the Political Dynasty Act. The party reforms and the party-list can be mitigated by the Rufus Rodriguez bill pending in both houses for years now.

Political dynasties

The anti-political dynasty constitutional provision was unequivocal and designed to be self-executory but has not been enacted due to the lack of an enabling law by the very people mandated to do the job but who are by now 80 percent controlled by political dynasties — the legislature.

PI would take effect immediately upon ratification, without requiring further legislative action. We propose a clear definition of a political dynasty: “Members of the same family, within the second civil degree of consanguinity or affinity, simultaneously or successively hold or run for public office at the national or local level.”

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) would be explicitly mandated to strictly implement this provision during the filing of certificates of candidacy. This direct and enforceable measure aims to dismantle entrenched political power structures, open opportunities for new leadership, and foster a more meritocratic and representative political system.

Political party reforms

Perhaps two of the most impactful and eagerly anticipated reforms lie in the proposed new section on Political Party Reform (Article IX, Section C) and the amended Anti-Political Dynasty Provision (Article II, Section 26). The Philippine political landscape has long been criticized for its personality-driven nature, where political affiliations often shift based on convenience rather than ideology, a phenomenon known as “political turncoatism.” PI seeks to institutionalize a genuine party system based on ideology, platforms and democratic principles, explicitly prohibiting political turncoatism, party-switching, and personality-based politics (see “Part 3: Parliamentary govt and political party reform,” TMT, July 30, 2025).

Shift to parliamentary government

To reiterate (TMT, July 30, 2025), at the heart of this proposed reform is the radical transformation of the executive department, advocating for the abolition of the presidential form of government in favor of a parliamentary system (Batasang Pambansa, BP). The existing presidential model has been a consistent source of persistent gridlock, personality-based politics, and weakened public accountability. This stems from the inherent separation of powers, which can often lead to stalemates between the executive and legislative branches, hindering the passage of crucial legislation and effective governance.

Under a parliamentary structure, the prime minister would assume the role of head of government and commander-in-chief, directly elected by a majority of the members of parliament (MP). This direct link between the executive and legislative branches is designed to foster greater political cohesion and responsiveness. The prime minister’s accountability would be immediate and direct, subject to a “vote of no confidence,” ensuring that the government remains aligned with the will of the parliamentary majority.

Complementing this, a ceremonial president, elected by parliament, would serve as the head of state, with powers strictly defined by law. This separation of ceremonial and executive functions aims to depoliticize the head of state role, allowing the prime minister to focus squarely on governance.

Senators, House members to ‘mambabatas’

The legislative arm would also undergo a significant overhaul, transitioning to a unicameral parliament, a single legislative chamber, intended to accelerate lawmaking, reduce bureaucratic hurdles and enhance efficiency. This streamlined legislative body, composed of MPs elected through a mixed-member proportional representation system (see “Perverted party-list...” TMT, July 23, 2025) aims to ensure broader sectoral and regional representation. MPs would serve a four-year term, with eligibility for reelection.

Economic liberalization with national safeguards

Beyond political dysfunction, the economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution, particularly those limiting foreign ownership in key sectors, have been identified as significant impediments to robust growth. Phrases like “limited to Filipino citizens” or the “60-40 ownership rule” in vital areas like the national economy, education, mass media and advertising, while ostensibly intended to protect national patrimony, have inadvertently created formidable barriers to foreign direct investment (FDI), technology transfer and job creation.

This has left the Philippines lagging behind its regional counterparts in attracting crucial capital and expertise, thereby constraining its ability to achieve its full economic potential. This liberalization is not envisioned as an unchecked opening of markets. The amendment explicitly mandates that such laws must “uphold national interest, reciprocity, and strategic control over natural resources, land, media, and critical infrastructure.” This nuanced stance aims to strike a balance: attracting much-needed capital and expertise while safeguarding strategic national assets and ensuring that economic benefits accrue to the Filipino people. Furthermore, the proposal emphasizes inclusive economic growth, regional development, and robust support for local industries and agriculture, underscoring a commitment to ensuring that economic progress is broadly shared and sustainable.

Navigating the transition affirming sovereignty

Recognizing the monumental nature of these changes, the proposed Transitory Provisions (Article XVIII) outline a clear roadmap for implementation. Within one year of ratification, Parliament (Batasang Pambansa) is to be constituted, with the current Congress serving as a “transitional legislative body” tasked with enacting all necessary implementing laws.

The full transition to a parliamentary system is envisioned to be completed within three years, ensuring a structured and orderly shift. The election of the prime minister and president under the new system would occur during the first parliamentary session, marking the official commencement of the new governance structure.

PI is more than just a set of proposed amendments. It is a powerful affirmation of the Filipino people’s sovereign right to shape their constitutional future. It represents a collective aspiration for a government that is not only responsive and responsible but also genuinely accountable to its citizens. By addressing the perceived weaknesses of the current system and introducing reforms that promote equitable economic growth, robust political parties, and a level playing field free from dynastic control, this initiative seeks to lay the groundwork for a more resilient, inclusive, and truly democratic Philippines.

Its success hinges on the collective will and active participation of the citizenry, demonstrating that true change must indeed emanate from the people themselves.

A DIPLOMATIC visit of a head of state is rarely a simple event. It is often a nexus of history, economics and international strategy. In the case of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s recent trip to Washington, D.C. for tariff negotiations, two contrasting analyses emerge, each offering a wholly different interpretation of the same events.

In one narrative, penned excellently in a two-part Manila Times article “China’s coda” by Mauro Samonte (TMT, July 26 and Aug. 2), the author wove his analysis as a geopolitical symphony, depicting the final movement — a finale of an unequal alliance. Classical music buffs will appreciate Samonte’s portrayal of the visit as a choreographed performance orchestrated incongruously by President Trump for America to secure economic dominance and pave the way for an eventual confrontation with China.

In stark contrast, Jaime Yambao’s narrative, “Observations on the president’s Washington D.C. visit” (TMT, Aug. 2, 2025), interprets this as a strategic triumph, a testament to pragmatic leadership and successful negotiation. By examining the rhetorics, historical framings and core assumptions of each, we get a glimpse of how the same facts can lead to such profoundly different conclusions.

A conspiratorial crescendo

First, Samonte presents a deeply cynical and historically informed critique of the US-Philippines alliance. Employing a powerful metaphor of a multi-movement concerto, Samonte suggests that the visit is not a new diplomatic composition but a reprise of historical refrains. This framing immediately sets a tone of historical determinism, implying that the present is merely an echo of the past.

The narrative draws a direct and controversial line from past instances of American exploitation — the post-WWII Parity Rights Amendment, which granted Americans equal rights to exploit Philippine resources — to the present-day Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART). This parallel suggests that the ART is not a modern trade deal but a contemporary iteration of a historical sellout, designed to give the US special access to Philippine energy, infrastructure and mineral resources, including those in the South China Sea. The critique is rooted in a fundamental distrust of the US as a partner, seeing it instead as a puppet master orchestrating events for its own geopolitical gain.

It started with Scarborough

The symphony’s overture presumably began with the Scarborough Shoal (Bajo de Masinloc) standoff with China in 2012. To recall, the US deftly steered the dispute from a physical confrontation to a legal one, resulting in the arbitral tribunal 2016 ruling that invalidated China’s nine-dash line claim. This maneuver ostensibly was not a genuine pursuit of justice but a calculated move by America to create a legal basis for future actions against China — with the Philippines’ role as a lackey.

Further solidifying its conspiratorial tone, the narrative links the diplomatic and economic aspects of Marcos’ visit to a broader military plot. The Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) is not viewed as a beneficial security pact but as a new form of US military occupation; further asserting that the Philippines is being used as a strategic pawn to push China against the wall. This perspective is fatalistic, concluding with an apocalyptic “coda” that predicts an eventual Chinese dominance.

It also draws on internal class dynamics, arguing that Marcos represents not the Filipinos’ interest but is instead aligned with the “1 percent” oligarchy that profits from these onerous arrangements. Ultimately, the geopolitical symphony is a cautionary tale, a warning against what it sees as a persistent national betrayal, with a dark, inevitable ending.

The pragmatic visit: A strategic triumph

As a contrapuntal, Yambao portrays the same events through a lens of strategic success and diplomatic prowess. Marcos is framed as a skilled and intelligent leader. Here, the metaphor of a chess player replaces Samonte’s symphony aficionado, suggesting a careful, thoughtful and proactive approach to international relations rather than a reactive, predetermined one.

This narrative highlights the tangible, positive outcomes of the visit, such as the reduction of US tariffs on a portion of Philippine exports to 19 percent, a move that would make Philippine goods more competitive. A particularly powerful point is the zero-tariff deal on pharmaceuticals, which Yambao praises as an empathetic move that prioritizes the welfare of the people. Yambao directly contradicts Samonte narrative’s claim that Marcos is only acting in the interest of the elite. This pragmatic visit narrative also reinterprets the security aspects of the trip as a major victory.

Instead of seeing America as a warmonger, Yambao views the US as a necessary and reliable partner in protecting the Philippines’ sovereign interests; emphasizing the visit’s role in providing the clearest policy definition so far of the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT), with Defense Secretary Peter Hegseth clarifying that the treaty covers armed attacks on Philippine forces “anywhere in the Pacific, including the South China Sea.”

This is framed as a crucial step in safeguarding the country’s EEZ and its natural resources in the WPS. Another plus is the Philippines’ access to additional funding through Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” — bolstering defense capabilities, a development seen as a beneficial modernization effort rather than a precursor to conflict. This perspective is fundamentally optimistic and forward-looking, celebrating diplomatic skills and the strengthening of alliances as a path to a more secure and prosperous future.

From where one sits

The profound differences between these two scenarios do not stem from a disagreement over the basic facts of the visit — that it happened, that agreements were discussed and that military cooperation was a topic. The real clash lies in the interpretation of these facts. Samonte’s geopolitical symphony operates from a historical and ideological assumption of American exploitation, viewing every US action through a filter of manipulation and self-interest. It sees the US-Philippines relationship as fundamentally unequal, rooted in a history of neocolonialism. The Washington encounter therefore is a betrayal, the agreements are concessions, and the military alliance is a dangerous trap. And Marcos is a patsy!

Conversely, the pragmatic visit operates from an assumption of sovereign equality and mutual interest. It sees America as a pragmatic partner, a powerful ally whose national interests can be strategically leveraged for the benefit of the Philippines. The visit is therefore a success, the agreements are triumphs, and the military alliance is a necessary shield. And Marcos is a genius!

Ultimately, the storyline choice is between a deterministic, fatalistic worldview as against an optimistic, bureaucracy-driven perspective. One sees the Philippines as a helpless pawn in a larger game, doomed to repeat a cycle of subservience and conflict. The other sees a nation successfully navigating a complex geopolitical landscape, making strategic decisions that assert its interests and secure its future.

These two articles form a compelling study in geopolitical rhetoric, demonstrating how the same “facts” are often just the raw materials that can be woven into diametrically opposed narratives from which competing realities are constructed.

I take the liberty of presenting the contrasting views while not openly taking sides. I leave this to my readers to arrive at their own conclusions while mine shall be held “in pectore” — except for my obvious disdain for the cognitively impaired Trump and the clueless and dilettante scion of a dictator.