Not Yet for Societal Pangulo Regime

Dr. Remigio Agpalo, in his work “The Philippines from Communal to Societal Pangulo Regime”, raised various issues about the political system we have in our country. These include the failure of the Western models of political system (especially parliamentary and presidential systems) in the country, the three political crises which result in government crisis and the need for an evolution from a communal to a societal pangulo regime.

From all of these, Dr. Agpalo concluded that what we needed was a societal pangulo regime with the principles of liberal democracy because it was the only political system that could closely fit our nature. First, it provides a strong government with a strong executive which can tackle adequately and effectively the different crises of the state. Second, this regime is practical because it is accorded on our history and culture. And, finally, it provides an ideal to live by and to live for due to its principles of sharing and caring (“pagdamay”) which are “accordingly” inherent to us.

Truly, Dr. Agpalo‘s article provides a very ideal political system. However, personally, I find some ambiguity on the conditions it offers. First, I cannot agree that our state can be incorporated with the concept of “societal” inasmuch as our cultural diversities pave way to the disparities in traits, particularly cultural values. Second, the Filipino value of “pagdamay” is an emotional approach which is very hard to distinguish and instill to people who are of different ways of interpreting it. Lastly, as Dr. Agpalo also asserted, we cannot assume that the “pangulo”, like the early datos, will not resort to being a dictator. This is because, even just today, when we are still bounded by the presidential system, the “pangulo” already (somehow and indirectly) claims an absolute sovereignty which is contradictory to the present constitution. What more if they are really given the legitimate power to be so?

This type of pangulo regime is indeed ideal. Not only does it establish a moral community or nationhood, but it also renders organization due to its hierarchical structure. However, it is not suitable for the present Philippines. We should not risk to replace our present political system with a societal pangulo regime, unless, we are completely sure that we all can encourage and absorb the “pagdamay” value. The latter should be achieved and must be friendly first to the present political system since, I think, this is where we are at safer (yet, not enough) mode. 

Nonetheless, as Dr. Agpalo asserted, our journey to a societal pangulo regime is yet to be finished and I am one of those who are looking forward to that.