Direct democracy for inclusive growth
Alyansa Agrikultura farmer and fisherfolk leaders contend that two principles embedded in our 1987 Constitution must be implemented to achieve inclusive growth. They are the principles of people having access to important information and prohibiting political dynasties.
To implement these two principles, direct democracy must be used to supplement representative democracy.
We hope to elect the most competent and caring people as our leaders in 2016. But this is not sufficient. We must simultaneously work for a system change so that no matter who the leaders are, our citizens will have a greater chance in getting a government that truly serves them.
The first principle of information access is found in the Philippine Constitution’s Article III Section 7: “The right of the people to information on matters of public concern shall be recognized. Access to official records and to documents and papers pertaining to official acts, transactions, or decisions …. shall be afforded the citizen, subject to such limitations as may be provided by law.”
Deprived
Today, 27 years later, the Freedom of Information Bill has not been passed. Our people are therefore deprived of deciding and taking the appropriate action because they do not have the required information.
On the political dynasty question, it is common knowledge that the country’s few political elite control the destiny of all our citizens. Because of their stranglehold on the political system, there is little chance for qualified and deserving citizens to participate in governance.
This situation is highlighted in the Constitution’s Article II Section 26: “The state shall guarantee equal access to opportunities of public service, and prohibit political dynasties as may be provided by law.”
For both Constitutional provisions, there is a condition that subjects the implementation of these principles to the discretion of our representative lawmakers. This condition is similar for both principles: “subject to such limitations as may be provided by law” and “as may be defined by law.”
For the last 27 years, our lawmakers have not provided the limitations and definitions required in the Constitution. This is because implementing these principles goes against the vested interests of the current political elite to maintain power at the expense of our citizens. Political dynasties are a major reason why we do not have inclusive growth. This is where direct democracy can play a decisive role.
The website “DifferenceBetween.info” differentiates two types of democracy:
Direct democracy—where citizens have direct and active participation in the decision-making of the government
Representative democracy—where citizens remain the sovereign power, but political power is exercised through elected representatives
Obviously, 100 million Filipinos cannot use direct democracy on all political issues. For practical reasons, they have to depend on representative democracy. However, for certain key issues such as the two mentioned above, direct democracy can be exercised. This should be done when representative democracy does not follow the spirit of the constitution because of powerful vested interests that control our Congress.
Lars Feld and Marcel Savioz, in “Direct Democracy Matters for Economic Performance: An Imperical Investigation” stated that direct democracy is associated with better economic performance and higher satisfaction.
Economic impact
Steven Spadiger of the Australian National University stated: “So far as its economic impact in Switzerland, direct democracy has brought with it unparalleled economic prosperity, despite the country being far from resource-rich.”
For the Freedom of Information and Anti-Dynasty Bills that can provide the system and environment for inclusive growth, Alyansa Agrikultura leaders argued that we cannot rely on representative democracy for their passage. The past 27 years have shown that.
Instead, we must use direct democracy. This can be done in a referendum on these two issues to be included in the 2016 election ballot.
The Filipino people will directly respond with yes or no on whether we should finally pass laws on Freedom of Information and Anti-Dynasty, within 18 months at the most. According to Rico Agcaoili, past president of the Philippine Bar Association, this may provide the moral pressure for Congress to act on these two key constitution provisions.
The first step is that Congress should allow the direct democracy vote of allowing the people to voice their position through a referendum that will be included in the 2016 ballots. If our citizens respond with a resounding yes, our legislators may then follow our Constitution and pass the required laws.
This act of direct democracy is an important key for the necessary conducive system and environment we need to achieve inclusive growth.
(The author is chair of Agriwatch, former Secretary for Presidential Flagship Programs and Projects, and former Undersecretary for Agriculture, Trade and Industry. For inquiries and suggestions, e-mail [email protected] or telefax (02) 8522112).
