THE Philippine nation, the oldest democracy in Asia, is now on the road to deciding whether it should continue to remain with the present form of government or shift to a federal system. This could also be the right time to consider another important question: whether the current process of electing the head of state and legislators by plurality is the best, or should a clear majority through run-off polls choose them?
The run-off process is expensive, of course. However, the question is important in a country over which the oligarchs and local community chiefs hold sway and buy votes. Electing the head of state and others by a clear majority will strengthen the stability of government and discourage vested interests from attempting to destabilize, if not overthrow, the government that the people have democratically elected.
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