Jinggoy warns that parliamentary system wont repel coups

Opposition stalwart Sen. Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada yesterday warned the advocates of Charter Change that a shift from the presidential to a parliamentary system will not prevent military uprisings if corruption proliferates in the society similar to the coup that recently occurred in Thailand.

He said that like the corruption and election fraud accusations against Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is also accused of corruption which forced the Thai Army to takeover the government and declare martial law on Wednesday.

A parliamentary system like the Thai model will not prevent a military revolt if the administration is corrupt and has no more support from the people, like the Arroyo Administration, Estrada said.

Estrada urged Charter Change advocates to stop efforts to shift to a parliamentary system which will be useless if government officials no longer have the trust of the people.

The nations stability will not be attained even if we shift from a presidential to a parliamentary system if the government is plagued by corruption and the people no longer trust the President, Estrada said.

According to him, military uprisings and instability can only be prevented if the government is sincere in protecting the welfare of the people.

If Mrs. Arroyo does not step down and corruption continues, the military might stage a coup to oust her from power, Estrada said.