Every June 30, the world observes the International Day of Parliamentarism.
At first, it may sound like something meant only for countries with parliaments such as the United Kingdom or Japan. After all, the Philippines does not have a parliament. We have a President, a Senate, and a Congress.
So why should we care?
Because the idea behind the observance goes beyond parliaments. It is about the people and institutions responsible for creating the laws that shape our daily lives.
The prices we pay, the taxes we contribute, the schools we attend, the roads we use, and the public services we receive are all affected by decisions made by our elected representatives.
Many of us pay close attention during elections. But after the campaign posters disappear and the ballots are counted, the work of governing continues.
Bills are proposed. Laws are reviewed. National budgets are debated. Decisions are made that can affect our lives for years.
The International Day of Parliamentarism reminds us that democracy is not only about choosing leaders. It is also about understanding how our laws are made and who makes them.
The Philippines may not have a parliament, but the message of the day still applies to us. A healthy democracy depends not only on elected officials, but also on citizens who stay informed and involved.
β¨ α΄ΚΈα΅β±βΏα΅ α΄α΅α΅ α΅αΆ α΅Κ°α΅ ΚΛ‘α΅α΅ α΅α΅Κ³α΅α΅ α΅α΅Λ’β±αΆ α΅Λ‘α΅α΅
