This paper discusses the efforts to amend the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines and focuses on the electoral system, parties and bureaucracy. Since the early 90s, there have been distinct efforts to propose changes to the post-Marcos charter. Key sectors of society have advocated for a shift to a parliamentary system of government, which they believe will correct structural deficiencies in the country’s political system. However, the proposal has been stalled by a lack of consensus on the process of amending the country’s fundamental law. This paper argues that institutional arrangements related to a shift in the form of government have received little attention from key advocates. The paper provides an overview of past charter change efforts and discusses the worldwide trend of constitutional engineering. It concludes that despite advocacy for a parliamentary system, more attention needs to be paid to institutional arrangements related to such a shift.