A Responsible Philippine Opposition

Nowadays, the Opposition here in the Philippines is just keeping criticizing every act of the present Duterte Administration it perceives as wrong and without proposing corrections or alternatives on those acts as well as keeping attacking it.

Sometimes, they are calling for senseless investigations on some issues to earn brownie points.

Few of them are calling for the President's resignation while others want his head, meaning they wanted this ousted.

And keeping on criticizing and blocking some of the priority bills of the administration, even if it is for the good of the country and to create voiceferous noise to derail the reform agenda of the Administration.

And they are not in support and in unison with the Administration in times of crisis like the Marawi crisis and instead, they are suspicious of the Government's efforts to contain it.

While I agree with them that the extra-legal killings of the drug addicts should stop, it seems to be that this is the main issue of the Opposition to the Administration. How about on other issues?

This is quite disheartening as this is not how an Opposition should perform its role in a democratic society like the Philippines and other countries in the whole-wide world.

Tonight, this blog will discuss in simplest terms how a responsible Opposition should be here in the Philippines. Let me give some tips to the Opposition how since for me, there is a need for them to be, a responsible Opposition.

First, they should be constructive in criticizing some policies of the Administration they think is wrong for the country by proposing corrections after criticizing them;

Second, if there are policies of the Administration they feel good for the country, they should lend full support and be objective as well;

Third, set aside their party and political agenda for the good of the people;

Fourth, unite with the Government in times of crisis as well as in condemning some diabolical acts like terrorism; And;

Fifth, they should hold constructive dialogue with the Administration at least once a year to set ways on how they can work well on most issues while maintaining disagreement on some issues.

Finally, in criticizing constructively the Administration they should focus on all issues, not just only one or two issues for fairness.

I hope the Opposition consisting of the Yellows and Reds will heed this advice of mine for after all, they are rational people and I am of the firm belief that they can do it for the country.

Comments can be submitted to my e-mail:

jamesvelina45@gmail.com

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