Political Dynasty
INTRODUCTION:
The Philippine Congress, the law-making body of the government, is bicameral1, it is divided into two houses and each house has similar requirements in order for an aspiring candidate to run. Future candidates are only required to fulfill minor requirements like citizenship, the ability to read and write, number of years in terms residency, a specific age and being a registered voter. Congressmen are voted per district, while senators are elected at large and are ranked by the number of votes. Candidates who got the highest number of votes are granted slots and become representatives for the Filipino people. They have other duties like deciding in international treaties; being a check and balance for the other two branches of the government and other things that are stated in the constitution. There are certain limitations to their power like having term limits, but they also have certain specific benefits like having the freedom from arrest when congress is in session. These are the things that are observable and can be considered as fair when we try to assess the gravity of the responsibility that they have and the position that is granted to them by their constituents.
But there are certain loopholes and flaws that we could observe and are just tolerated. One of which, and I think is the fundamental flaw of the legislative system is the lack of limitations when it comes to people getting elected and them be put to their posts, especially in the legislative system, where they are the representatives who creates policies that could affect everything. Although there are a few constitutional provisions that are connected to this flaw, which would be discussed later on, it is still insufficient to curb the problem. The specific requirements, that I have stated above seems fair but it does not really grant a number of people coming from the middle and lower class to represent themselves in the congress, which I think is necessary in order to
The Philippine Congress, the law-making body of the government, is bicameral1, it is divided into two houses and each house has similar requirements in order for an aspiring candidate to run. Future candidates are only required to fulfill minor requirements like citizenship, the ability to read and write, number of years in terms residency, a specific age and being a registered voter. Congressmen are voted per district, while senators are elected at large and are ranked by the number of votes. Candidates who got the highest number of votes are granted slots and become representatives for the Filipino people. They have other duties like deciding in international treaties; being a check and balance for the other two branches of the government and other things that are stated in the constitution. There are certain limitations to their power like having term limits, but they also have certain specific benefits like having the freedom from arrest when congress is in session. These are the things that are observable and can be considered as fair when we try to assess the gravity of the responsibility that they have and the position that is granted to them by their constituents.
But there are certain loopholes and flaws that we could observe and are just tolerated. One of which, and I think is the fundamental flaw of the legislative system is the lack of limitations when it comes to people getting elected and them be put to their posts, especially in the legislative system, where they are the representatives who creates policies that could affect everything. Although there are a few constitutional provisions that are connected to this flaw, which would be discussed later on, it is still insufficient to curb the problem. The specific requirements, that I have stated above seems fair but it does not really grant a number of people coming from the middle and lower class to represent themselves in the congress, which I think is necessary in order to
References: (n.d.). Retrieved August 3, 2011, from Chris p forr: http://www.chrispforr.net/row2/chrisphil7/neocolonial/neocolonial.htm Coronel, C. e. (2007). The Rulemakers: How the Wealthy and the Well-Born Dominate Congress. Pasig: Anvil Publishing. Datinguinoo, V., & Olarte, A. (2001). Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism. Retrieved August 3, 2011, from Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism: http://www.pcij.org/stories/print/clans.html De leon, H eval, N. (2011, June 2). Philippine Online Chronicles. Retrieved August 3, 2011, from Philippine Online Chronicles: http://thepoc.net/breaking-news/local/12267-political-dynasty-ban-bill-up-in-congress.html#ja-content Gma News Tv Kurlantzick, J. (2011, January 7). Retrieved August 3, 2011, from Council on Foreign Relations: http://blogs.cfr.org/asia/2011/01/07/the-curse-of-nepotism/ List of political families in the Philippines Rosario, B. (2009, July 5). Manila Bulletin. Retrieved August 3, 2011, from Manila bulletin: http://www.mb.com.ph/node/209454/antidyna Solidarity Philippines Australia Network tinig ng plaridel. (2008, January 6). Retrieved August 3, 2011, from tinig ng plaridel: http://www.tinigngplaridel.net/news/2008/01/06/the-comprehensive-agrarian-reform-program-carp/