A message from the people worth listening to

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.