Well, Happy 85th birthday Joseph "Erap" Estrada, right? Elections are near and I remembered how Erap won the 1998 elections. I remembered how Time Magazine that put him on the front cover several times. One was asking if he was unstoppable, what's he to do, and the fact that he was OUT. Personally, I think it was actually better than the late Noynoy Aquino winning the 2010 elections instead of Erap. Noynoy may have had his ups and downs. However, I'm not going to stop mentioning that Erap is proof that the 1987 Constitution isn't the best in the world as Hilarious Davide would say.
The reminder to "Vote wisely!" keeps appearing every election. I remembered how often I complained that voters would rather vote for athletes and actors instead of doctors, lawyers, economists, etc. Erap had a record of being a mayor and a senator. However, what truly propelled him in his career was the fact that he was a popular movie star. He was pretty much the subject of jokes during his reign. I remembered how I watched Ispup on ABC-5 made fun of him during his presidency. Erap's presidency ended and he was still made fun of regardless. I was 13 when it first happened and I was 18 or 19 when the jokes ended. His reign was short-lived due to the gambling scandal. He chose to resign because of a second EDSA Revolution. However, he was PERMITTED TO RUN (and shamelessly did) even after he was supposedly ousted from office.
The problem isn't much on Erap, Noynoy, Duterte, etc. but on the PRESIDENTIAL SYSTEM. It's because the system is based on popularity backing. Do I need to keep reminding people that a democracy is a government of THE PEOPLE, by THE PEOPLE, and for THE PEOPLE? Democracy is only good when the majority and minority are both heard. The majority can be wrong. The minority can be wrong. The presidential system really lives on one mentality - WINNER TAKES ALL! That's why I refuse to believe that the Marcos Years were a real parliamentary system.
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Let's just imagine what if the 1987 Constitution were a parliamentary constitution
We need our new imaginary government to portray a point. Let's say that the late Cory Aquino remained as what she was - a symbol of national unity. Cory didn't lead EDSA but she was its unifying figure. Let's say that Cory was installed as the symbolic head of state while Fidel V. Ramos ruled as prime minister after a formal constitution was written. Cory serves as the symbolic head of state. Parliamentary elections are held and Fidel V. Ramos becomes the first official prime minister of the Philippines. Maybe, Jose De Venecia and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo would've served under the LAKAS Government. PDP-Laban or Liberal Party may have served as the Opposition. Regardless, this imagined timeline establishes the Parliamentary Republic of the Philippines.
Cory continues her work as the chief representative. Ramos would rule as prime minister for a five-year term renewable by performance. Ramos rules as prime minister for 10 years but ends up getting too tired of his job. Ramos decides that his party will have Jose De Venecia as the Prime Minister. However, LAMMP will have Joseph Estrada (who's still a member of Parliament by then) finally step up. Maybe at this time, Noynoy will sit as either a government or opposition legislator. The Philippine parliamentary elections are held. LAMMP wins and Erap is installed as the prime minister. However, De Venecia ends up leading the united shadow government as the opposition leader.
One could imagine the hilarity that could ensue. Maybe, Erap managed to make it up to the office of the Prime Minister. However, De Venecia becomes the Opposition Leader against Erap. Erap would probably start off well before he starts to stumble. Weekly questioning may end up exposing Erap's weaknesses that were unknown. EDSA-2 may not even be necessary because the Opposition can call for a vote of no confidence against Erap. In fact, Erap may even be disbarred from holding office due to weekly questioning. If we want to avoid having more Eraps then shift to the parliamentary system!
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