Dick Gordon on pushing for two party system in PH

Summary

The speaker discusses the issues within the Philippines' political party system, emphasizing its corruption and lack of accountability. They reflect on past elections and party switching, arguing for the restoration of a two-party system with better candidate vetting. The speaker stresses the need for stricter laws to prevent party switching and hold politicians accountable, noting the collapse of political systems and the country's stagnation despite its potential. They express hope for change, advocating for citizens to assert their rights and duties in order to fix the country's political landscape.

Takeaways

• 🤔 Party switching is a major issue in the political system, contributing to instability.
• 📜 Magsaysay and other political figures switched between parties, illustrating the lack of loyalty and consistency.
• ⚖️ The speaker plans to propose a law that prohibits individuals who switch parties from running in the next election, extending the prohibition to their relatives.
• 🗳️ The lack of accountability and enforcement of laws has weakened the political system.
• 💡 The speaker believes in returning to a two-party system, aligning with the presidential form of government.
• 🏛️ Past conventions, such as the Manila Hotel convention, once focused on selecting the best candidates, but this practice has faded.
• 💰 Today's political landscape allows people to buy or create their own parties, eroding the integrity of the process.
• 🔍 The speaker criticizes the lack of proper vetting for candidates, emphasizing the minimal qualifications required to run for office.
• 📉 The speaker argues that the collapse of the party system has contributed to the country falling behind in progress.
• 🌟 Despite the grim outlook, the speaker remains optimistic, quoting 'The Fault, dear Brutus, is not in Our Stars but in ourselves,' implying that citizens must take responsibility for the situation.

Q & A

What is the speaker's main concern about the current party system?

The speaker is concerned that the party system is 'rotten to the core,' with frequent party switching and a lack of accountability, which weakens the political structure and leads to poor governance.

How does the speaker view party switching in elections?

The speaker views party switching as a major issue and proposes that candidates who switch parties should be prohibited from running in the next election, including their relatives up to the fourth degree of consanguinity or affinity.

What does the speaker suggest about the role of citizens in improving the political system?

The speaker emphasizes the need for citizens to assert their rights, hold politicians accountable, and actively participate in improving the political system rather than just complaining about it.

What does the speaker propose to restore integrity in the political system?

The speaker suggests returning to a two-party system to restore accountability and ensure that the parties vet and select the best candidates for public office.

Why does the speaker believe that the current system has caused the country to fall behind?

The speaker argues that the collapse of the political system, including the lack of proper party vetting and rampant party switching, has caused the country to fall behind despite the capabilities of the Filipino people.

What is the speaker's criticism of the current process of selecting candidates?

The speaker criticizes the lack of proper candidate vetting, stating that today anyone can create their own party and pay their way to power, without regard for qualifications or merit.

What does the speaker mean by quoting 'The Fault, dear Brutus, is not in Our Stars but in ourselves'?

By quoting this line from Shakespeare's 'Julius Caesar,' the speaker means that the problems in the political system are not due to external factors, but rather the result of the citizens' own actions and lack of accountability.

What does the speaker hope to achieve if they return to the Senate?

The speaker aims to pass legislation that would prevent party switching by prohibiting candidates who switch parties from running in the next election, in an effort to bring stability and integrity to the political system.

How does the speaker view the qualifications required to run for public office?

The speaker views the current qualifications for running for office as too lenient, pointing out that there are minimal requirements, such as age and literacy, which do not guarantee the competence of a candidate.

What is the speaker's attitude toward the future of the political system?

While the speaker expresses frustration with the current state of the political system, they maintain optimism, suggesting that with proper reforms and accountability, there is hope for improvement.