Pinoys oppose shift in gov't form

It does not surprise me, although it may surprise a lot of others, that the bulk of our countrymen at this period are not in favor of adopting a parliamentary system of government. According to today's papers Pulse Asia has released survey results showing that 54 percent of 1,200 Filipinos interviewed were not in favor of a shift to the parliamentary system versus 33 percent in favor (13 percent undecided). This fact, the writer feels and thinks, explains the apparent lack of interest, not to speak of enthusiasm, among the rank and file. This explains the mighty effort of the present government to utilize the bureaucracy to prod, prick, and enthuse the rest of the country into joining the parade for a parliamentary system.

Joe De Venecia has promised that the parliamentary system will solve all our ills but who would bet a peso on promises of politicians with private agendas?

The writer wishes to retire from threshing the subject of presidential versus parliamentary. However, I can not leave without saying that the moment you deny a voter the right to directly vote for the president, you are emasculating and denying him of a power to be a factor in the elections. The presidential system may have its defects, but there a presidential candidate will have to greet an ordinary voter who can vote or not vote for him or her. This I submit, is the power that symbolizes a less corruptible system. In a parliamentary system you don't even know who's going to come out as premier. The process inevitably will be dealt with by the entrenched power elite.

What is obvious, we had previously pointed out, is that it is less expensive to finance a parliamentary election with a view to elect a particular member of parliament as premier. You only have to "buy" a majority of elected members of parliament. Under the present presidential system a candidate needs billions. That explains all this Hello Garci, the fertilizer scam. This can be a minus for the presidential system. If you're hell-bent on getting elected and you're a sitting president , the temptation to use government funds to finance your electoral push will probably be irresistible.

INDIA DIARY.

We were going to Rajastan, the legendary home-ground of the Rajputs, a land of chivalry and knightly prowess. The Rajputs have been described as a people "more intrinsically Indian and more true to their traditions". They are wonderful horsemen, having gained their reputation in their fights against various invaders.

Rajastan is a separate state, the capital of which is Jaipur, about three hundred kilometers from Agra. We left Agra, in the state of Uttar Pradish (India is a Federal system) headed for Jaipur. But we had to make a short visit to one of the strangest sites in India: Fatehpur Sikri, the ghost city.

I will not go into a description of Fatehpur - Suffice to say that it stupefies the viewer. Scores of buildings, but principally Jami Masjid, the imperial mosque that towers over all. In the great courtyard, one has to put on paper sock, as a sign of respect for the premises. When I got in the main gate, I was immediately attracted by a low building made of marble. I thought it was newly constructed but it turned out to be as old as the rest and was a mausoleum for some Moghul King or queen. Akbar built his fantastic capital sometime in 1596, on top of a low narrow mountain.

Now, Fatehpur Sikri is a ghost town, deserted because it lacked water. But during day hordes of tourists, foreign and Indian come to visit. They poke around and wonder. So Fatehpur Sikri has become one of the cash cows of Indian Tourism.

We left finally for Rajastan but somewhere in the outskirts our driver slowed down near a clump of trees along the road. I wondered why until I saw monkeys cross the road and assembled at the side of the car. The driver (I have to get his name from Fe) started throwing some food. The monkeys behaved like monkeys. Then an old but big specimen arrived. I noted the beast had a big sore in its hide. I surmised it must be the leader of the tribe as the others made way for him. So much for monkeys.

We reached Jaipur as the dark was falling. The drive was tiring. There were not too many things to see along the way although we passed an impressive oil refinery. We're glad to arrive at our hotel.*

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