Thread by @marortoll

Banayo thinks that an amendment of the Constitution solve the the problem of political turncoats. I don't agree. We've seen what happened with the Nacionalista and Liberal parties in the past and those which were organized for the 1992 election. Only NPC
manilastandard.net/opinion/column…

survives with a relative measure of clout because Boss Danding deemed it necessary to provide financing every election cycle. But Boss Danding is gone. It doesn't look like RSA is interested in NPC because his financial resources aren't as deep as the original patron. Other

parties represent business interests such as the NUP which is identified with Ricky Razon. The same is true with the Manila Standard which Razon bought from Andres Soriano IIIss Anscor group. The other parties are only hollow shells like corporate holding entities. LDP has only

one member, Sonny Angara. It was different from the time of Edong because there was money coming in from ACCRA. Lakas is no longer FVRs. It is now GMAs with Martin Romualdez. The long-term solution is a federal parliamentary system which will have regional parties which the

constituents can identify with and actively participate in its affairs. Political parties are expensive to maintain. I renew back in the 90s as a volunteer from NPC how much monies we moved physically from Manila to the regions. Regional political kingpins got the largest share.

After that came the Governors and the Mayors. This doesn't ensure their loyalty either. Those who remain identify more with the patron rather than the party. There was a mass migration to Lakas after FVR won in 1992. In Laguna, only one Mayor was left in the NPC fold. Danding's

strategy was to establish bases in vote-rich provinces where he also had business interests. Negros Occidental, Rizal, Pangasinan and Tarlac were the bailiwicks of the NPC. It remains to be seen what will happen under Tito Sotto's watch as he is now the most senior member of NPC.

Federalism has been on the table since the time of Cory. Its original proponents were Reuben Canoy and Nene Pimentel. It's time that it is seriously considered given how the pandemic exposed the wide development gap between NCR+ and the other regions. The Luzon-wide ECQ put the

economy into a recession because 40% of economic activities were in NCR+ including the logistics hubs. Aside from Manila, the only ports where there is a direct shipment of goods for export are the private wharves of Del Monte and Dole in Mindanao. For imports it's only the Ports

of Cebu and Davao which are the other hubs. The pandemic will not end anytime soon. This is why the 2022 election is crucial to the country. We need a President who has the political will to institutionalize reforms for the future of the country. We cannot survive under the old

system. Platforms are very crucial. Not only at the national level but the LGUs as well. Recovery requires a whole-of-nation approach. Singapore is now working on the basis that the pandemic is endemic. We should too. A federal parliamentary system will provide consistency and

continuity. But most importantly, it will allow public participation in governance. Our food security issues can be addressed by the development of Mindanao. This is now possible with peace in the BAR. Energy security is another compelling issue what with the looming power

shortage again because the Malampaya gas reserves are about to run out and the life of coal power plants nearing their EUL period. Instead of renewables, nuclear is the best option. There is a lot at stake on May 2022. We need candidates who have clear plans of action not the

usual motherhood statements and campaign promises. Our survival depends on them and for once, it should finally be about issues, not personalities who are popular.