The Parable Of Windows 1987 Operating System

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Once upon a time, there was a businessman named Philip. Philip hired programmers named Fidel, Gloria, Benigno, Rody, and Leni. Philip wanted them to create a Hollywood special effects fit for 2020 but he was using an OBSOLETE PC. Philip refused to upgrade his now frequently hanging up obsolete PC which operated on Windows 1987 (used only for illustrative purposes). According to Philip, Windows 1987 is the best operating system in the world and refused to upgrade to Windows 10 or the latest Windows. Phil said that it was just the programmer and that the PC with the operating system had nothing to do with it.

So, he finally set all his programmers Fidel, Gloria, Benigno, Rody, and Leni to do the work. Phil demanded them to create Hollywood-type special effects that will fit for 2020. Each of the programmers had some objections. For Fidel, it was time to replace with the latest PC and he was FIRED. Gloria did suggest what Fidel suggested and she was FIRED. Benigno did something good but ended up getting fired too. It was because Benigno said that he could've done a better job if he had a better PC (similar to the one from Ateneo De Manila University) and that they needed a non-obsolete operating system. Rody became the latest programmer but was fired too after saying the same thing. All of them did what they could but they couldn't create Hollywood effects because Windows 1987 couldn't support the latest programs like Adobe and Macromedia. They simply WOULD NOT RUN on Windows 1987.

Tired, Philip decided it was Leni's turn to be the programmer. Leni was a computer science graduate from the University of the Philippines (UP). UP is no easy school to enter into. Leni was said to be God-fearing and competent back in her college days. So, Leni was given the spot that was previously occupied by Fidel, Gloria, Benigno, and Rody. However, Leni soon boggled at how her employer Philip expected her to create Hollywood-like special effects if she was given an obsolete PC that ran on Windows 1987. Leni soon got frustrated and said that they needed a new PC and a new operating system after she showed it limited her work. Like the others, Leni was soon forced to #LeniResign because she insisted that the PC and operating system were holding her back.

The lesson of the parable

What is the lesson of the parable? It would not just be to poke fun at businessmen who refuse to evolve. It pretty reminded me much of the time when I heard TESDA requested for NEGATIVES of the students when digital cameras were already the thing. Another thing it reminded me of was how a bank asked me for a FAX when fax machines are now obsolete and express mail is the most secure way to send confidential documents. Some may still demand a typewritten document when desktop PCs and laptop PCs have effectively replaced the typewriter. Maybe, it's also for some who are still using WINDOWS 95 when it's already more than two decades since it became obsolete.

So what limited Fidel, Gloria, Benigno, Rody, and Leni? They were all programmers from good schools. However, it wasn't just a matter of skilled programmers but also the need for good SYSTEMS to work with. Windows 1987 was holding them back from creating what Philip wanted. Philip demanded quality work but gave them faulty tools. True, the bigger power comes with the man and not with the tool but a bad tool can hold you back. All of them were held back from doing their full potential because the PC and the operating system were all DEFECTIVE.

The same can go for Philippine politics. A lot of quality people have lost their minds. Why do you think people back then voted for Bam Aquino and Mar Roxas? It's because they had impressive credentials. Why do you think Bam and Mar are now laughingstocks? It's because the system swallowed them. Bam who started off with his Go Negosyo Program ended up selling fishballs. Mar who once started many good programs ended up throwing them away. 

The late Jesse Robredo was right to say that it's not enough for good officials but there also has to be a SYSTEM that forces them to be good. Hopefully, Leni Loud Robredo herself will support constitutional reform. I wonder was Jesse a supporter of constitutional reforms? Though Jesse probably lived his quote in part with how well he managed Naga and maybe that's why he was possibly a victim of foul play. Jesse himself was devoted to fixing the system in Naga and eventually became an outstanding DILG secretary. Understanding that systems do matter would've been one reason why Jesse was an outstanding guy. Only if Leni Loud herself took notes and placed the lesson to heart.

The Philippines' much bigger problem isn't the quality of the politicians but also the QUALITY of the political system. Why do you think that New Zealand had a health minister who resigned vs. the Philippines' giving Debold Sinas a promotion? It's because New Zealand runs on the PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM. A parliamentary system will force people to be good because it will subject them to weekly scrutiny. 

Now let's imagine a setting where Leni Loud becomes the prime minister and Bongbong Marcos is the opposition leader. We just and should NEVER have these two as president and vice president. Instead, we can have a role defined that Leni Loud herself is the Head of the Government while Bongbong is the Head of the Shadow Government. It becomes the task of Bongbong himself to question Leni Loud and hold her and her cabinet accountable. What happens is that Leni Loud has the role of determining the general direction of the government. This in turn would actually force Leni Loud to actually come up with better solutions and engage in a formal debate with Bongbong who must offer alternatives and correct whatever mistakes Leni Loud will make. The same goes for all members of Leni Loud's government and Bongbong's shadow government. 

One reason why a parliamentary system (or a presidential system with parliamentary features) works better is the presence of weekly questioning. I really wonder what SONAs have done since the time of the late Corazon C. Aquino up to the present time? If Leni Loud became president then it would be no different than Duterte were president. Instead, the weekly questioning is superior to the SONA because it has people actually engaging in intellectual discourse. It would mean that members of the parliament are to engage with each other. They're constantly on their toes because they can get hit impeached by a vote of no confidence if they lose the confidence of their fellow legislators and not just when they commit a crime. 

That's why the Philippines needs not just to open up the economy but also to change the form of governance. Going from presidential to parliamentary will really force EVERYONE to change the way they govern. After all, impeachment lurks at the heads of everyone who's not ready to defend their stand.