Adopting a new system of government will not solve the country’s problems.
A system of government that succeeds perfectly well in other countries will not necessarily succeed in other countries that do not have the same character, level of political sophistication and other cultural traits.
American-style democracy has never worked, and never will, outside America. And whenever America tried to export her own brand of democracy, it backfired.
The Philippines has always been regarded as a showcase of American-style democracy in Asia. Let's not fool ourselves. The Philippines is democratic only in form or structure, but not in essence or substance. We have a democratic style of electing our officials, right? Yes, but have we ever had an election in this country without cheating, bribery, deceit, corruption or violence?
We say we have a democratic system of justice. But are all legal cases won purely on their own merits, without bribery, deceit, corruption, manipulation of evidence or even outright lying?
We elect comedians, basketball players, movie stars and entertainers to government positions, instead of intellectuals, educators, scientists and other thinkers because that is the average level of our people's mentality. We love to be entertained rather than be made to think.
We pride ourselves in having freedom of speech and a free press. But are the views of the minority respected or ventilated freely? Is it not true that only the majority opinion is usually aired over the media? Unpopular views or those that may hurt influential groups are suppressed or edited out, sometimes by the media people themselves who harp on "freedom of expression" like a meaningless mantra.
No, our people are not ready for a radical change in our government system and structure. I am afraid of what will happen to this country if we adopted a parliamentary form of government or any other form at this time.
What we fail to realize is this: Our problem as a nation does not lie in our government system or structure but in our mentality, our attitude, our consciousness. I have always said that even if we changed all government employees, from the President down to the lowest government functionary, nothing would change. Unless the new people who take over the government have a new consciousness or a new awareness, everything will be back to its former glory or lack of it within three months!
In America and Europe, the average motorist obeys traffic laws and signs. Traffic lights regulate traffic, which works perfectly well, most of the time. Try to remove all traffic policemen on the streets of Metro Manila and have only traffic lights. You think the average Filipino driver will obey those impersonal traffic lights?
This is all a question of consciousness. The average Filipino simply does not, and cannot think the same way as the average Westerner. So when we try to adopt a western system without modification, we only invite chaos.
The parliamentary system works well in England. But why does it work? Because the English have had a long history and tradition that support or sustain that system. We do not have such a tradition or history. What we have is a history of tribal wars and violence. Heck, we do not even understand each other's language!
So how can a new structure of government work in a nation that is divided in its culture and consciousness? It can’t.