Filipino politicians are a strange lot. They would like to have the cake and eat it too. They want to have what they deny others. And everybody is trying to get into it. There is strong impression that those who poke their noses into this game have many things to protect. The status quo would be most desirable because here are certain advantages that they would enjoy.

In Thailand , Prime Minister Thaksin Sinawatra has been encountering growing opposition from Thai politicians. Thaksin had an enviable reputation of turning the Thai economy around making the country one of the most progressive nation in the South East Asia . Despite this, there will be always opposition. One cannot win them all. Since it is usual in a parliamentary government like Thailand , the Prime Minister dissolved the government and called for a new election. Although he won enough votes to be reinstalled, the opposition remained strong and noisy. He resigned. The Philippine politicians, particularly the opposition, looked at the change of Thai government with envy. They asked President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to emulate Thaksin, that is; either to call a snap election or resign In our present form of government, there is only one type of recall and that is impeachment, which is a long and tedious process. The then President Joseph Estrada was not actually impeached. He was chased out before the impeachment committee could render judgment.

If our politicians would like to get rid of unacceptable politicians by either resignation or snap election, why not adapt the parliamentary form of government? By the time they are dissatisfied with the leadership, they can dissolve the government by a two-thirds vote of no confidence and there will be a new election. The problem is no one in office would take the risk. Let the other fellow resign while he remains. Snap elections are new to us. President Marcos was compelled to call for snap elections to prove to the international community that he was still in power. Although not legally proven, reports of massive cheating and vote buying triggered a political upheaval. President Marcos was chased out of Malacañan and by legal maneuver; Corazon Aquino was installed as president. There were constitutionalists, who refused to recognize the legitimacy of the Cory government. Coup after coup was thrown against her until the 1987 constitution legitimized her government. President Fidel V. Ramos won the elections fair and square and since his regime was satisfactory, his term was relatively peaceful. Then came Joseph Estrada. The movie personality won the election heavily but his performance was unsatisfactory so he was chased out of office. President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo took over and won the next election. However there were reports of massive election fraud, which tainted the legality of her regime. She weathered one impeachment charge and there are indications that those charges will be repeated after a prescribed period. Meanwhile, scandals had hit her administration, the Hello Garci and fertilizer scam most telling.