Story 2 - Philippine lower house pushes new political system

The Philippine lower house of Congress has set itself on a collision course with the upper chamber by voting to exclude senators from plans to shift to parliamentary form of government.
In a marathon session that lasted until just before dawn on Wednesday, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's allies in the lower house voted 164-25 to delete a provision in its rules that requires the Senate to concur on all proposed laws.
Senators, who are largely opposed to changing the political system from a U.S.-style bicameral Congress because their chamber would be abolished, said they would challenge the unilateral attempt to alter the constitution.
"I think the whole nation is chagrined at the brazenness in the manner that they try to railroad and cheat their own rules," Senator Richard Gordon said on television.
"If they really want to amend the constitution, if they really respect the constitution, they should allow for adequate discussion."
Another recent attempt to amend the constitution was derailed in late November when the Supreme Court ruled against a petition to hold a referendum of voters on the issue.
Arroyo has championed the switch to a parliamentary system to end gridlock between the legislative and executive branches of government and between the two houses of Congress, with the hopes of faster policy-making and stronger economic growth.
With congressional and local elections due in May, critics accuse Arroyo and her allies of trying to use the proposed change to extend their terms in office and get rid of the Senate, which is weighted in favour of the president's foes.
Arroyo, who has survived two impeachment attempts and at least one attempted coup, is due to finish her term in 2010.
"It is a desperate attempt on the part of congressmen for they already anticipate that they do not have a chance of winning in next year's elections," said Benito Lim, a political science professor at the University of the Philippines.
"The coming elections are crucial to President Arroyo and the majority in Congress because if the opposition wins it could mean that Arroyo could be impeached."
Most Filipinos want more political stability after decades of coup attempts and two "people power" uprisings, but many analysts doubt a parliamentary system would solve fundamental problems of corruption and a society dominated by elite clans.
Under the plan, the president and a newly created prime minister would share power for three years. After 2010, the prime minister would become head of a British-style parliament. (The article came out on the wires December 6)