Filipino Constitutionalists May Want To Prove To Singaporean Constitutionalists That The 1987 Constitution Is "The Best In The World"

It was the birthday of the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines a few days ago. It had me thinking how it's stressful to deal with people who still think that constitutional reform is just an excuse to stay in power forever. The huge misunderstanding is this - what is the system TRULY about? I'm afraid but people who read Pignoy Ako Blog think that the system is just all about who's in charge. The system is more than just WHO IS IN CHARGE. The system is all about the RULES AND REGULATIONS that govern those in power. The constitution in simple definition is the law of the land. If you've got a good constitution then you produce GOOD LEADERS. The late Jesse Robredo that it's not enough ot have good leaders - you must have a system that forces them to do good. In other words, it's more than just the one in charge. Changing the system isn't dancing cha-cha between being a Dutertard or a Yellowtard. Instead, changing the system may go from making amendments to even a complete overhaul.

Davide Jr.'s INCREDIBLY MASSIVE failure of the mind

I think it's a shame I used to admire Hilarious Davide Jr. back when I was in college. I remembered all the demonization done against former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. One must wonder are the charges against her true or are they allegations? Gloria herself may still have a low rating which might be blamed on ABiaS-CBN who tends to play kingmaker. I guess it's a good thing that the late Noynoy Aquino gave them a stinging rebuke on the 25th anniversary of ABiaS-CBN. I still think ABiaS-CBN is clearly a failure of the mind. ABiaS-CBN could've been on-air or not even need a franchise if the Philippines' utility sectors developed. There would be more access to Internet even the far-flung areas. Now, ABiaS-CBN wants to go back on air but they're stuck in the predicament. If they want to go back on air or get better without it - they need to support constitutional reform. Instead, ABiaS-CBN kept demonizing it until the 1987 Constitution boomeraged on their faces. No, they're not above that law they're defending either! It was also because of ABiaS-CBN that I admired Davide Jr. even if I preferred GMA-7 more.

I'm amazed (really) at how Davide Jr. has been making absurd remarks. Some people tend to listen to him because he's a constitutionalist and I'm not. Some say that it's not in their scope to understand even the basics. I guess it's all an excuse not to care about the constitution and "let's just take care of ourselves". However, politics will AFFECT BUSINESSES in the long run such as to why the oligarchs get too powerful and why other local businesses fall. To Davide Jr., he's made some really idiotic comments such as how he believes that opening the Philippines to foreign investments will "make it a colony". Davide Jr. even dares to say that the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines is the only one with this and that and it's the "best in the world". However, a simple Google search will tell you that Davide is dead wrong in many areas. For example, the public office is a public trust statement is a universal value. American history shows that Thomas Jefferson said that statement way BEFORE Davide said that only the 1987 Constitution said it as such.

A debate that Filipino constitutionalists may want to engage to prove that the 1987 Constitution is "the best in the world"

I could remember how I wrote a question of who you'd listen to between Davide Jr. and the late John Gokongwei. The typical excuse is that law and business are two different fields. However, both are related whether we want it or not. What the government does can affect the business sphere. Davide, is unfortunately, woefully ignorant in many of his statements about economics. Now, I think it would be interesting if him along with other Filipino constitutionalists who insist that the 1987 Constitution is the "best in the world" will try and prove that statement to Singaporean constitutionalists. 

One of the best thought leaders in the world of politics and economics is Kishore Mahbunani. Mahbunani was the former dean of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Relations of the National University of Singapore. Mahbunani eve said regarding foreign investments that it creates jobs and teaches people new skills. It's very different from what Davide said that foreign investors will turn the Philippines into a foreign colony. It would be interesting to see Davide to try and prove Mahbunani wrong. Davide Jr. was once an ambassador for the Philippines to the United Nations (UN). Mahbunani was once the president of the UN Security Council. I wonder if the two really had a conversation at one point during those times. 

What I could imagine is that Davide Jr. would try to have a conversation with Mahbubani. I assume both of them are retired from their posts. Davide  Jr.was once a chief justice. Mahbubani was once the dean of the LKY School of Public Relations. I could imagine if Davide Jr. ran into Mahbunani and tried to tell him, "Mahbubani, foreign investors will turn the Philippines dry if we remove 60-40. Plus, 'weve got a constitution better than yours." I could just imagine if Mahbubani will raise his eyebrows and say, "Really Davide? Are you telling me Filipinos flying around the world looking for jobs because your country lacks jobs is proof of that? or something like that. 

Though, I don't suggest stopping with Davide Jr. I think the Monsod couple, Christian and Winnie, would be next. The Monsods are blatantly and openly admit that they're against constitutional reform. I think it's all about filling their pockets. I think some people who like against foreign investments know they're lying. Since the Monsods (along with the others like Neri Colmenares and Toady Casino) take pride in the HURRIEDLY WRITTEN 1987 Constitution - I think they too should fly to Singapore and try and prove that the 1987 Constitution is the best in the world. 

What I suggest is that this discussion should be done live. I think constitutionalists in Singapore should have an open formal debate with the Filipino constitutionalists. It would be interesting if Davide decided to lead his time with Mahbubani leading his team. I could imagine how Lee Hsien Loong might react. Davide said that the 1987 Constitution needs no amendments. Yet, the late Carlos Celdran said that it needed to be corrected every now and then. Celdran, though anti-Duterte, provided good advice that the Pinklawans sadly ignored. Lee Hsien Loong even pointed out that Noynoy had some economic reforms. In other words, even Noynoy didn't believe that the 1987 Constitution was flawless even if he was against changing the form of governance. Noynoy made some economic amendments that did help the Philippine economy even if didn't like the idea of charter change. 

Besides, Davide Jr. shot himself in the foot even before this debate could take place. For one, the 1987 Constitution isn't even meant to be set in stone. Rather, it's been OPEN TO AMENDMENTS every now and then. Though, I think shifting to parliamentary is really a must for Filipino politics to produce better leaders. No parliamentary means no great men and women. Vice President Leni Loud Robredo can't be as great as Jacinda Ardern or Angela Merkel because of the presidential system. If there was no parliamentary then the late Lee Kuan Yew and Mahathir Mohamad couldn't be great leaders. Do I need to keep stating that the Marcos Years were NOT a real parliament? 

When will I start listening to Davide and company? Only if they can prove to the constitutionalists of Singapore that the 1987 Constitution is the best in the world. If they can then by all means Filipinos should listen to them. If not, they can all just stop being relevant and RETIRE FOR GOOD from the political scene.