CITY Mayor Benjamin S. Lim underscored the need to explain thoroughly to the people the proposed parliamentary-unicameral form of government while noting he favors amending some provisions of the present constitution, “but not the entire charter.”

Lim explained his stand, along with representatives of barangays and various sectors on the proposal to shift the Philippine government from a presidential form to a parliamentary-unicameral system during a forum on charter amendment initiated by the Advocacy Commission held at the City Museum on March 22.

“I personally believe that a change on some provisions of the charter has to be done. However, the proposal to change the system of government has to be explained to the people,” the mayor said.

He suggested a separate forum in a form of debate to better determine the pros and cons of a parliamentary form of government.

Lim disagreed with the line that a parliamentary system of government means a graft-free bureaucracy. He cited that countries which practice such form of government, like Japan and Korea, have also cases of graft and corruption in their respective governments.

“However, once an anomaly was discovered with this form of government, al people comprising it can be sacked without resulting in coup d’etat or whatsoever,” the mayor bared.

Another advantage of parliamentary form of government, Lim bared, is the existence of one legislative body in which the usual discord between the lower house and the Senate will be eliminated.

Vice Mayor Alvin Fernandez, presidential constitutional commissioner, for his part said that the proposed amendment in the constitution is only to change the present system of government in the country.

Fernandez explained that the proposal to shift to a parliamentary form of government will liberate the country from the costly presidential election campaigns.

Fernandez also added that when the Philippine government becomes parliamentary, the existing congressional districts will be converted into parliamentary districts which will elect the members of the parliament.

“However, the parliament will not be composed of elected people only, but also appointed members who are representing certain party list sectors like persons with disabilities, farmers, fisherfolks, transportation, among other sectors.

The parliament, composed of some 300 members, will elect its Speaker who will act as the presiding officer, according to Fernandez.

Later on, the parliament members will elect the President of the Philippines and the Prime Minister, who will govern the country and at the same time head the different ministries, which is presently called the departments.

According to Fernandez, the duty of the president of the Philippines in a parliamentary form of government is to handle all foreign visitors and inform other nations of the national policies in the Philippine aside from managing investments in the country.