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[av_heading heading=’More on the parliamentary gov’t system’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY JOHNNY NOVERA
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WE NOW CONTINUE with our discussion of the parliamentary system of government as previously taken up in our columns on Oct. 25, Nov. 1-2 and Nov. 8.
We learned that the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is also undertaking a nationwide information campaign on the proposed parliamentary form of government with barangay officials, but we wish to address our articles to the general public that may not be reached by the government campaign.
To continue…A parliamentary system, also known as Parliamentarianism (Parliamentarism in US English), is distinguished by the executive branch of government being dependent on the direct or indirect support of the Parliament, often expressed through a vote of confidence. There is no clear-cut separation of powers between the executive and legislative branches, thus, it can lead to a lack of check and balance inherent in a presidential republic.
Parliamentarianism is praised for its flexibility and responsiveness to the public. On the other hand, it is faulted for its tendency to sometimes lead to unstable governments, as in the German Weimar Republic and the French Fourth Republic.
Parliamentary systems usually have clear differentiations between the Head of Government and the Head of State. The Head of Government in the system is the Prime Minister or Premier, and the Head of State is often being appointed as a figurehead or hereditary monarch with only minor or ceremonial powers.
However, some parliamentary systems also have an elected president with many reserve powers as Head of State, providing some balance to the system. As a general rule, constitutional monarchies have parliamentary systems.
The term “Parliamentary System” does not mean that a country is ruled by different parties in coalition with one another. Such multiparty arrangements are usually the product of an electoral system known as proportional representation. Parliamentary countries using “first past-the-post” voting usually have governments composed of one party.
The United Kingdom, for example, had a coalition government during the Second World War. However, parliamentary systems in continental Europe use proportional representation and tend to produce election results in which no party has a majority of seats. (To be continued)
NEW DEVELOPMENTS
When we fetched our daughter who arrived at the airport from Manila last week, we were glad to see a new terminal building shed at the airport built especially for vans that ferry airline passengers to and from the city.
Now we noticed also a new glass-walled store to the left of the waiting area at the main airport building that sells wines, especially the 300-year-old iconic Fundador brand. The wine factory in Spain was acquired in 2015 by Emperador, Inc., a local liquor unit of the Filipino self-made billionaire Dr. Andrew Tan. We bought a bottle at promo price. (For comments or reactions, please email jnoveracompany@yahoo.com.)/PN
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