Revolutionizing Governance: The Vision of a People's Congress

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Pioneering a New Paradigm: The People's Congress

Looking ahead to the next two or three generations, the discourse on envisioning a transformative People's Congress to supplant the current Senate and House of Representatives—or any evolved forms following a potential shift to federalism—should initiate. The impetus for overhauling the representation system in government arises from years of grappling with a malfunctioning political landscape. As previously stated, Congress, once an extension of presidential influence, now resembles a superfluous appendix, prompting contemplation on its abolishment to rejuvenate the democratic ideal.

A People's Congress embodies direct citizen participation. This encompasses Filipino citizens, registered voters scattered across the globe, collectively exercising the powers and functions vested in the present Congress members. Advancements in communication technology furnish the means for the viability of this concept, a luxury absent during the inception of the United States. When the Founding Fathers convened in what is now Washington DC, they laid the groundwork for American independence and the two houses of Congress. Albeit mirrored in our own system, this conventional model is now antiquated, outshined by the digital age.

A Glimpse of the Future: Technological Foundation

Modern social networking platforms—Facebook and YouTube being prime examples—where up to 500 million users concurrently engage, fostering dialogue and even hosting live broadcasts, offer a window into the future People's Congress.

Imagine a secure web portal, fortified by alternating servers, accommodating up to 100 concurrent committee meetings. To partake in these sessions, a voter must first register, subsequently accessing the portal with their COMELEC credentials. The user-friendly interface would grant effortless access to committee "rooms," fostering an environment conducive to advocating for or opposing legislative proposals. Feedback would be ranked by the number of "likes" or supporters.

Innovation in Action: Streamlined Decision-making

The existing concept of people's initiative, stipulated in the current constitution, would naturally evolve into the default process for presenting, deliberating, and sanctioning legislative proposals, obviating the need for collecting signatures.

A dedicated People's Secretariat, in collaboration with the Department of Information and Communications Technology, would emulate the functions of the current Congressional Secretariat, managing the operation of the People's Congress website.

Fundamental congressional protocols, such as committee meetings and plenary sessions, would be preserved to the extent feasible. For certain cases—bill approval, impeachment rulings, and international treaty ratifications—a simple majority of registered users constitutes a quorum. Legislative proposals must secure a majority within a year; failure prompts resubmission as a fresh bill, commencing another cycle of review, debate, and revision.

Empowerment Through Unity: One User, One Vote

The principle of one user, one vote stands—users cannot possess multiple accounts, reinforcing fairness and equality. The inaugural People's Congress session might focus on the national budget's approval. Subsequent gatherings prioritize budget discussions over other pending matters. As a transitional measure, pending bills from the existing congress would be automatically reintroduced.

Certain prerequisites must be met before the People's Congress can function effectively. Assuming the free WIFI bill transitions into law—potentially initiated by local government units—the executive branches of government, encompassing LGUs, and the civil service system would remain unchanged. Nonetheless, an analogous People's Congress model for LGUs, mirroring the national version, would eventually emerge within a phased timeline.

A Beacon of True Democracy: For the People, By the People

The People's Congress breathes life into the adage "government by the people, of the people, and for the people." The logical progression entails constitutional amendment to institute the People's Congress via people's initiative.

For visionaries like myself, it's prudent to acknowledge that, albeit inadvertently, this proposal could displace certain individuals—especially those tied to political dynasties—from their positions of power. Patience becomes paramount, as we embrace this cause, much like a caterpillar metamorphosing into a butterfly, shedding its former self to embrace a new, transformative identity.

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This is a rewrite of an article first published on 13 July 2019 with the title "Visualizing a People's Congress".