When asked by friends what I think about the recent political drama in the Senate. I just shake my head and say I am speechless. Later, and after reflecting about it, I realized that we should have seen it coming given the kind of men and women we had elected in our legislature. This makes us yearn for the past when we had Jovito Salonga, Eva Estrada Kalaw, Tecla San Andres Ziga, Claro M. Recto, Jose Diokno, Miriam Santiago, Leticia Ramos Shahani, Lorenzo Tañada, among others who not only dazzled us with their intelligence but also with their integrity.

Although the recent incident was unfortunate especially at this time when the country is going through an economic crisis, it may perhaps be necessary as it could serve as a reminder that we should now prepare for 2028. We are playing the waiting game – the passing of the anti-dynasty law, outcome of the trials of both Duterte at Hague and daughter Sara’s impeachment, as well as the flood control mess.

But we can no longer wait as we again find ourselves at a crossroads. We realize that we have to act now if we want real change. EDSA 86 was a success and we realize that it was not achieved overnight. Various groups were actively involved, not just in the “piso” campaign, but by sustained advocacy as a “parliament in the streets,” planning at group meetings, and building an opposition that was resolute and determined.

We may not be able to duplicate the EDSA model as the times are different. But we can put our heads and hearts together as we plan for feasible alternatives. The easiest one is to hope for a change in Senate leadership with the current minority back in power. This would require a concerted effort to build a strong political party that would sustain the needed leadership, and the willingness to bear the burdens expected of real change.

Then there is the party-list system which was first introduced in the 1987 Constitution. It allows “national, regional, or sectoral parties or organizations to participate in national elections ensuring that the marginalized and underrepresented sectors have a voice in the electoral process.”

The party-list representatives constitute 20 percent of the total number of representatives in the House of Representatives. But the system has been “diluted” in the implementation in the sense that a majority of those elected today belong to the middle-class and not the marginalized. A bill that would rectify this practice has been drafted and hopefully would be passed into law.

Another mode that may be able to achieve a political structure that is truly people-centered is through constitutional change. But this may not be feasible now. It can be initiated after 2028 under a leadership that supports democratic governance and the rule of law. Although I personally do not agree with the idea of shifting to a federal form of government, it may be the needed alternative if we are truly convinced that we may never find a solution to our current dilemma. Under this system, we shall only have one lawmaking body which is elected by the people. The parliament will likewise allow the members to serve in executive positions.

There are of course other ways to address our current leadership gaps. One is to wait for the passage of a genuine and responsive anti-dynasty law that would allow the election of men and women who otherwise can never hope to get elected to leadership positions. Equipped with democratic ideals these chosen ones must demonstrate the competence and values needed to affect the kind of change that the country needs. But this means having to wait for a decade or two to create the needed political environment.

The reality we face today is that it may be difficult to change the current structure of our Senate which has allowed the election of mother and son, or brothers and sisters. If they did not belong to a dynasty, they are there because of popularity they have acquired in our predominantly entertainment-oriented populace. Some as had been shown by past and current observations had failed to demonstrate what was expected of them which are to be able to behave with attributes of transparency and accountability. And this includes several who had been trained in our best schools in the country.

It is difficult to ignore their behavior and people’s reactions. Especially when we realize that we would not be a third country if our elected leaders had truly served our people with all their minds and hearts. (Email: [email protected])