Prime Minister Noynoy Aquino Could've Achieved Daang Matuwid Under A Parliamentary System

There's always the same argument of just change the people but not change the system. The argument is usually rounded or based upon the "fear of the unknown" where one can argue that there's no need to change from parliamentary to presidential based on anecdotal evidence or argument based on experience. One can always say that the Philippines already had hundred years experience in presidential and none in parliamentary as an excuse not to shift saying it'd be "costly". But again, it's just like using band-aids and cheap medications on one's wounds to "save money" only to realize one has to spend more money because said infection got worse. Unlike if you spent more money now to get said wounds treated properly which results to less expenses later. The same can be said about Daang Matuwid -- Noynoy's succeeded in some way in spite of the faulty presidential system while his failures (together with people under him) are but symptoms of the presidential system. Worse, the Dilawans opposed the very mechanism that could have made Daang Matuwid possible!

So how could the Philippines have had made it more possible to have Daang Matuwid under a parliamentary system than a presidential system? You can take a look at the failures and unfinished projects under Noynoy's watch. A presidential system's term limits such as six years no more no less contributed to a series of unfinished projects. A good example is the MRT Project which Noynoy promised would be done by January 1, 2016 yet what happened? It wasn't fulfilled because of the problem of term limits leaves so many projects in limbo. What if President Duterte refused to pick up any unfinished projects under Noynoy? Imagine how much money would be wasted after Noynoy getting said lot at Mactan to build the second terminal and it was left unfinished. But would have it been under a parliamentary system then Noynoy would have had his chances to finish the MRT Expressway from Baclaran to Bacoor or the second terminal of the Mactan International Airport.

How would Daang Matuwid be really possible and better fulfilled under a parliamentary system? One can argue that Noynoy had his own successes and failures. Now let's take a look at the failures and some of his worst appointees. I wouldn't blame Noynoy for the idiocy of Alberto Lina or for Corazon Soliman's neglect at the DSWD. Some supporters of Noynoy are even quick to point out that said person is hesitant to fire any of his friends. Do you remember the Mamasapano incident? He was hesitant to fire Alan Purisima the man most responsible for said blunder because they were close friends. But what could have happened under a parliamentary system?


Daang Matuwid under a parliamentary system would have all the scrutiny with a formal opposition. the problem with the presidential system is that there's no real formal rule in the opposition which makes it very easy to shift sides. But under a parliamentary system -- all the appointees of Prime Minister Noynoy would have to pass through their Shadow Ministers from the opposition. Each side from the opposition would question the other side -- requiring both sides to defend their stand, point out each other's mistakes and come up with a single feasible solution. Just imagine what situations could have been avoided under a parliamentary system.

Here are some issues that could have been avoided under a parliamentary system such as the Disbursement Acceleration Program incident. Minister of Finance Butch Abad would have to pass through an appointed Shadow Minister of Finance in the quest to speed up acceleration of funds to avoid delays. Another example is the dengue vaccine incident where there would be more time to make sure said project would have been given more time to make sure it was done properly. The problem with said implementation was the need to rush it because Noynoy's term was coming to an end. Would have Noynoy been given more leeway then the dengue vaccine incident would have had much less chances in happening.

Besides, Prime Minister Noynoy would have to answer several questions every week and to make sure he comes up with a feasible solution to every proposal he makes. Having frequent scrutiny would have probably forced the likes of Bam Aquino and Mar Roxas to put their minds into good use than to resolve to stupid antics that they are doing lately. Bam and Mar would have probably and immediately said, "Yes! We need more competition!" than to flip-flop more often than not. Lastly, would Prime Minister Noynoy fail then he would have been kicked out by a vote of no confidence should he fail to meet expectations of the parliament together with anyone who fails to do their jobs right.