Bagong Sistema, Bagong Pag-asa is a movement and advocacy for system change. It is a call to overhaul the country’s political system to address an impending crisis and put the country on the path of genuine democracy, peace, and inclusive economic growth and prosperity. Led by former Chief Justice Reynato Puno, it is a call for a change in the 1987 Constitution through a Constitutional Convention.
Bagong Sistema, Bagong Pag-asa offers a new system—anchored on a new Constitution to be crafted by a Constitutional Convention, which will have two sets of delegates: those who shall be elected simultaneous with the national elections in 2016 and those to be appointed as representatives of different sectors and from among national luminaries known for their integrity and probity. The target is to ratify a new Constitution by 2018 and hold elections for a new government in May 2019. The envisioned Constitution:
The envisioned Constitution will not be just a fundamental law. It shall be a COVENANT OF NATIONHOOD, the sacred document that will bind the Filipino people, unite them toward a common purpose—the purpose of establishing the Filipino nation. The establishment of a nation is an enterprise among its stakeholders—the Filipinos. As such, the stakeholders bind themselves to the responsibilities and the tasks that the enterprise will require so that they may, individually and collectively, contribute their share in the making of the nation and enjoy the fruits of their enterprise. The end of that enterprise is the attainment of the “good life” for all Filipinos in their own country. The covenant will cover three aspects of the Filipinos’ life: social, economic, political. The envisioned system of government:
Bagong Sistema, Bagong Pag-asa envisions a shift to PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM where:
o There is fusion of powers and joint responsibility and accountability. The parliament and the executive work hand in hand. o The spirit of national cooperation—instead of bickering—prevails because all who serve in it are JOINTLY ACCOUNTABLE TO THE PEOPLE. o There is a unicameral parliament (instead of two) with broad-based representation—not just by district but by sector of society which have long been unrepresented. o There is a head of state and a head of government, one whose task is to provide leadership and inspiration, and another to run the affairs of government. o There is continuity of government program regardless of change in leadership. o Political dynasties have the least opportunity to perpetuate themselves in power and ordinary citizens have equal opportunity to get elected to public office. o Political subdivisions and government units work together for a common national purpose while attending to the needs of respective constituents. o The Framework for ending secession and insurgency is clearly established.
