Comments on: Increasing inability to express ourselves http://www.quezon.ph/2006/09/06/increasing-inability-to-express-ourselves/ Punditry. Politics. History. Commentary. Sat, 04 Feb 2012 11:35:33 +0000 hourly 1 By: cvj http://www.quezon.ph/2006/09/06/increasing-inability-to-express-ourselves/comment-page-1/#comment-36907 cvj Thu, 07 Sep 2006 08:23:34 +0000 http://www.quezon.ph/?p=1021#comment-36907 jackryan68, thanks for bringing up the agency problem. That's a matter that needs to be studied. As you pointed out, Urbano's line of reasoning seems to make a good case for electing Senators by region. In terms of improving the supply-side, i believe you are right to consider restructuring the playing field. In addition to this aspect, the matter of government (i.e. taxpayer) funding of election campaings has also been brought up (by Jeg in the previous thread) to deal with this issue. In another earlier thread, i also suggested some ways in which we can better track the spending and compensation received by the politicians to try to discourage politics as business: http://www.quezon.ph/?p=1002#comment-35132 jackryan68, thanks for bringing up the agency problem. That’s a matter that needs to be studied. As you pointed out, Urbano’s line of reasoning seems to make a good case for electing Senators by region. In terms of improving the supply-side, i believe you are right to consider restructuring the playing field. In addition to this aspect, the matter of government (i.e. taxpayer) funding of election campaings has also been brought up (by Jeg in the previous thread) to deal with this issue. In another earlier thread, i also suggested some ways in which we can better track the spending and compensation received by the politicians to try to discourage politics as business:

http://www.quezon.ph/?p=1002#comment-35132

]]> By: jackryan68 http://www.quezon.ph/2006/09/06/increasing-inability-to-express-ourselves/comment-page-1/#comment-36870 jackryan68 Wed, 06 Sep 2006 20:30:21 +0000 http://www.quezon.ph/?p=1021#comment-36870 I see your point, cvj. In fact, the agency problem is, from the perspective of political economy, an inherent flaw of democracy if I recall our class discussions right. So it is a challenge that Urbano will also have to address in his next posts. Going by the same logic, it also makes sense to elect senators by region. For instance, we in Bikol will be better positioned to decide whether it is in our best interest to send Chiz Escudero to the Senate. This might pose a problem though with Sonia Malasarte-Roco, who I think has a better chance with a national rather than regional contest. But then again, we will have to apply the full rigor of the formula regardless of the personalities involved. Which is why I will still argue for improving the stock of our choices from the supply side, augmented by term limits. In Camarines Sur, for instance, if the congressional districts are eliminated and the provincial governor will also represent the province in the lower house, then the election will be more competitive among the incumbent governor and congressmen who can no longer opt to field in their relatives when term-limited. Unfortunately, the advantages arising from incumbency remains. I see your point, cvj. In fact, the agency problem is, from the perspective of political economy, an inherent flaw of democracy if I recall our class discussions right. So it is a challenge that Urbano will also have to address in his next posts.

Going by the same logic, it also makes sense to elect senators by region. For instance, we in Bikol will be better positioned to decide whether it is in our best interest to send Chiz Escudero to the Senate. This might pose a problem though with Sonia Malasarte-Roco, who I think has a better chance with a national rather than regional contest. But then again, we will have to apply the full rigor of the formula regardless of the personalities involved.

Which is why I will still argue for improving the stock of our choices from the supply side, augmented by term limits. In Camarines Sur, for instance, if the congressional districts are eliminated and the provincial governor will also represent the province in the lower house, then the election will be more competitive among the incumbent governor and congressmen who can no longer opt to field in their relatives when term-limited. Unfortunately, the advantages arising from incumbency remains.

]]> By: Gloria d'Macapal gal http://www.quezon.ph/2006/09/06/increasing-inability-to-express-ourselves/comment-page-1/#comment-36862 Gloria d'Macapal gal Wed, 06 Sep 2006 19:42:47 +0000 http://www.quezon.ph/?p=1021#comment-36862 Maybe, just maybe, stinkhead Mike Defensor wants to serve Romulo's head on a silver platter for the midget Jezebel in Malacanang. Maybe, just maybe, stinkhead Mike Defensor wants to serve Romulo’s head on a silver platter for the midget Jezebel in Malacanang.

]]> By: Gloria d'Macapal gal http://www.quezon.ph/2006/09/06/increasing-inability-to-express-ourselves/comment-page-1/#comment-36863 Gloria d'Macapal gal Wed, 06 Sep 2006 19:42:47 +0000 http://www.quezon.ph/?p=1021#comment-36863 Maybe, just maybe, stinkhead Mike Defensor wants to serve Romulo's head on a silver platter for the midget Jezebel in Malacanang. Maybe, just maybe, stinkhead Mike Defensor wants to serve Romulo’s head on a silver platter for the midget Jezebel in Malacanang.

]]> By: cvj http://www.quezon.ph/2006/09/06/increasing-inability-to-express-ourselves/comment-page-1/#comment-36843 cvj Wed, 06 Sep 2006 15:56:58 +0000 http://www.quezon.ph/?p=1021#comment-36843 Jackryan68, as you mentioned, the line of reasoning that limiting the size of the electorate per given candidate makes for better decisions is based on how well the voters know the candidates. In reality, that's not the only factor that influences the quality of the voters' decision. Other factors would be the ability of the candidate to intimidate the voters to vote against their interests and/or otherwise unduly influence the election process in a given locality. Yet another thing to consider is whether the electorate is homogeneous or polarized as far as interests are concerned. In the latter situation, a fragmented but nevertheless nationally significant minority needs the system of proportional representation for it to be adequately represented. Also, delegating the choice of national leaders to a small group of people relative to the entire population does have its disadvantages foremost of which is that the chosen leader may not represent the interests of the people at large. I'm waiting for Urbano's exposition of the voter (v) portion of his equation to see how he is able to address the above concerns. Jackryan68, as you mentioned, the line of reasoning that limiting the size of the electorate per given candidate makes for better decisions is based on how well the voters know the candidates. In reality, that’s not the only factor that influences the quality of the voters’ decision. Other factors would be the ability of the candidate to intimidate the voters to vote against their interests and/or otherwise unduly influence the election process in a given locality. Yet another thing to consider is whether the electorate is homogeneous or polarized as far as interests are concerned. In the latter situation, a fragmented but nevertheless nationally significant minority needs the system of proportional representation for it to be adequately represented. Also, delegating the choice of national leaders to a small group of people relative to the entire population does have its disadvantages foremost of which is that the chosen leader may not represent the interests of the people at large. I’m waiting for Urbano’s exposition of the voter (v) portion of his equation to see how he is able to address the above concerns.

]]> By: jackryan68 http://www.quezon.ph/2006/09/06/increasing-inability-to-express-ourselves/comment-page-1/#comment-36831 jackryan68 Wed, 06 Sep 2006 14:05:14 +0000 http://www.quezon.ph/?p=1021#comment-36831 Another probable upside would be the emergence of a class of professional local government administrators/managers, which will be indispensable if mayors and governors were to exercise dual functions as executives and legislators. In the New Public Management Paradigm, this can lead to the so-called "separation of decisionmaking levels," where politics decides the what, administration the how. Another probable upside would be the emergence of a class of professional local government administrators/managers, which will be indispensable if mayors and governors were to exercise dual functions as executives and legislators.

In the New Public Management Paradigm, this can lead to the so-called “separation of decisionmaking levels,” where politics decides the what, administration the how.

]]> By: jackryan68 http://www.quezon.ph/2006/09/06/increasing-inability-to-express-ourselves/comment-page-1/#comment-36829 jackryan68 Wed, 06 Sep 2006 13:55:09 +0000 http://www.quezon.ph/?p=1021#comment-36829 What I am sensing from Urbano de la Cruz's current series is that it will be much better to limit the electoral battleground to a more manageable size (eg local) where voters are electing candidates they know very well, than at the national level where most often, decision are based on the candidates' soundbites. On first glance, it may seem to argue in favor of a parliamentary system, where district representatives are more of a "known quantity" than senators elected nationally whose election can be the outcome of a well-coordinated and funded media campaign. But then again, to achieve maximum effect, I think this should be taken together with Lito Banayo's proposal to do away with councilors and board members. By attacking the system's supply side, lesser elective positions up for grabs would force the really competent ones to run against the more moneyed incumbents, unlike now where there are "safer" options available, but whose downside is to actually limit voters' choice. What I am sensing from Urbano de la Cruz’s current series is that it will be much better to limit the electoral battleground to a more manageable size (eg local) where voters are electing candidates they know very well, than at the national level where most often, decision are based on the candidates’ soundbites.

On first glance, it may seem to argue in favor of a parliamentary system, where district representatives are more of a “known quantity” than senators elected nationally whose election can be the outcome of a well-coordinated and funded media campaign.

But then again, to achieve maximum effect, I think this should be taken together with Lito Banayo’s proposal to do away with councilors and board members. By attacking the system’s supply side, lesser elective positions up for grabs would force the really competent ones to run against the more moneyed incumbents, unlike now where there are “safer” options available, but whose downside is to actually limit voters’ choice.

]]> By: manuelbuencamino http://www.quezon.ph/2006/09/06/increasing-inability-to-express-ourselves/comment-page-1/#comment-36810 manuelbuencamino Wed, 06 Sep 2006 11:30:59 +0000 http://www.quezon.ph/?p=1021#comment-36810 Romulo, at the House appropriations committee hearing this morning, blamed a director level guy at the Home Office for the snafu. He said he was in Myanmar incommunicado so the midlevel officer took it upon himself to set policy for the country. The Philippines was one of the 23 nations who called for that resolution so there was no excuse for it to abstain for something it sponsored. Romulo, at the House appropriations committee hearing this morning, blamed a director level guy at the Home Office for the snafu. He said he was in Myanmar incommunicado so the midlevel officer took it upon himself to set policy for the country.

The Philippines was one of the 23 nations who called for that resolution so there was no excuse for it to abstain for something it sponsored.

]]> By: Schumey http://www.quezon.ph/2006/09/06/increasing-inability-to-express-ourselves/comment-page-1/#comment-36807 Schumey Wed, 06 Sep 2006 11:19:20 +0000 http://www.quezon.ph/?p=1021#comment-36807 Poor Romulo, another figurehead. Ermita should have acorded him the courtesy and informed him of the chang of stand. Poor Romulo, another figurehead. Ermita should have acorded him the courtesy and informed him of the chang of stand.

]]> By: Jeg http://www.quezon.ph/2006/09/06/increasing-inability-to-express-ourselves/comment-page-1/#comment-36795 Jeg Wed, 06 Sep 2006 10:16:53 +0000 http://www.quezon.ph/?p=1021#comment-36795 I think Sec Romulo should resign. Such disrespect means that his input is no longer needed by the Palace. That said, I think the Philippines is right in abstaining, since as I read it from the above clip, Israel alone is to be condemned without any mention of Hezbollah which deliberately targetted civilians, and have been doing so for years, even before this incident with the border crossing and kidnapping of the 2 soldiers. If we are to hold Israel to a moral standard, then this standard should be held for all. I would have abstained unless the wording of the condemnation included Hezbollah, too. (Whatever happened to Israel's former policy of targeted assassinations and surgical commando raids? They took a page right out of Uncle Sam's book this time, lobbing bombs on buildings and shrugging off 'collateral damage.' At least in their targeted assassinations, civilian casualties were kept to a minimum.) I think Sec Romulo should resign. Such disrespect means that his input is no longer needed by the Palace.

That said, I think the Philippines is right in abstaining, since as I read it from the above clip, Israel alone is to be condemned without any mention of Hezbollah which deliberately targetted civilians, and have been doing so for years, even before this incident with the border crossing and kidnapping of the 2 soldiers. If we are to hold Israel to a moral standard, then this standard should be held for all. I would have abstained unless the wording of the condemnation included Hezbollah, too.

(Whatever happened to Israel’s former policy of targeted assassinations and surgical commando raids? They took a page right out of Uncle Sam’s book this time, lobbing bombs on buildings and shrugging off ‘collateral damage.’ At least in their targeted assassinations, civilian casualties were kept to a minimum.)

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