Professional Documents
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Philippines
Philippines
”
political participation to all sectors of society.
17 July 2007
National Endowment for Democracy
Please note that the views expressed in this presentation represent the
opinions and analysis of the speaker and do not necessarily reflect those of the
National Endowment for Democracy
Presentation Outline
Basic Facts and Context of the Situation
Consideration of Some Key Flashpoints
Assessment and Analysis
Prospects and Recommendations
*remarks made on 28 June 2007 on the occasion of his first trip to the Philippines on a NED Assessment Visit
First, a Quick History Lesson:
‘There are certain great principles of government which have
been made the basis of our governmental system, which we
deem essential to the rule of law and the maintenance of
individual freedom . . . and that these principles and
these rules of government must be established and
maintained in their islands for the sake of their liberty
and happiness, however much they may conflict with the
customs or laws of procedure with which they are familiar’
-President William McKinley to the
Philippine Commission headed by
William Howard Taft on 7 April 1900
BAD GOVERNANCE
(Diamond)
Some Flashpoints for Consideration
The Processes of Political Participation
Credibility and integrity of elections
Dominance of dynasties (‘bossism’)
Weakening of intermediary institutions
Rule of Law
Sustaining leadership within the court system
Fighting the hydra: combating systemic corruption
Culture of violence & defense of human rights
Armed Conflict & Security Forces
Rebel activity & peace efforts
Civilian control vs militarization of civilian authority
The Institutional Framework
Ensuring mechanisms of accountability
The reform agenda (what, when, why, & how?)
• Charter change / procedural & substantive aspects
• Possibility of hijack
1. Some Considerations on Political Institutions
Forms of Non-legitimate
Criteria for Legitimacy
Power
(Diamond, 2007)
Political Finance
Self-aggrandizement
Accumulation Control of Electoral
of Resources & Political Processes
Concentration
Concentration
of Wealth
of Power
in ‘State in
Economic
Elites Capture’ Political Elites
By
Vested Interests
Rent-Seeking Marginalization
Behavior & of the
Transactional Politics Poor & Powerless
High-Risk / Low-Investment
Economic & Political Environment
(Diamond)
Toward Promoting Full Democracy
Some principles to inform a reform strategy:
Build and strengthen inclusive, empowering and
sustainable institutions in the political, economic and
cultural realms
Defend the hard-won victories of earlier democratic
struggles, form consensus around democratic
processes, & broaden constituencies for these
Deepen democracy not just in current formal but elitist
character, but to one that ensures genuine popular
participation
Any major change in political structures should not
benefit those presently in power (arms length), &
must involve national dialogue and public education
Reflection – Need for Political Engagement
For international actors, its important to consider Diamond’s 12
point Principles of Action
Within the Philippines, domestic stakeholders need to act in
order to foster trust in democratic process
Elections and election administration
Democratic institutions (parties and parliaments)
Democratic processes (oversight and rule of law)
A need to renew & reinvigorate civic engagement in politics
(partisan & non-partisan)
Defend, deepen, & widen the political space for effective
participation
Support the emergence of democratic leaders & champions
Nurture and strengthen constituencies as well as energize
communities for sustained advocacy of reforms
Recommendation - Search for Common Ground
In the Immediate to Medium Term:
Build Foundations for the Next Government
An opportunity to step back from the brink & to prevent an escalation of
hostilities
Critical to sustain economic growth and reduce public desperation
Initiate credible political, electoral, and administrative reforms to reduce
imperfections in the political process and ensure credible elections in
2010 that will help return stability and achieve some equilibrium
Alternative Attitudes to the Result:
Best outcome
• Administration focuses on reforms rather than survival
• Administration agrees to compromise for the common good
Worst outcome
• Administration views its partial win as endorsement of its policies
• The rebuke of administration intensifies political hostilities
Some Initial Steps to Restore Credible Elections
Clean-up the institutions and systems for election administration
Improve the capacity of the COMELEC
Complete full automation of elections ahead of 2010
Consider other mechanisms to further reduce opportunities for human
intervention / human error in the counting & tabulation process
Separate election adjudication & election disputes resolution from elections
management functions
Enforce election laws fully (particularly on campaign contribution &
expenditure) coupled with a vigorous anti-corruption effort
Prosecute to the fullest extent all violators of election laws
Support civic-education and voter’s education efforts
Institutionalize and sustain citizen’s oversight mechanisms
Initiate law reform legislation (party law / political finance)
Rationalize the mobilization of election officers to include citizens
Ensure civilian control over security forces, including citizen oversight
Some Other Necessary First Steps
Need to restore a consensus for democracy in the run-up
to the 2010 General Elections through among others:
Improve mechanisms for public accountability (CHR/Senate)
and a sustained effort at addressing corruption (OMB/PAGC)
Political party development, strengthening, and consolidation
Allow alternative candidates to emerge with distinct platforms
and visions of governance
Promote mechanisms for the political representation of the
marginalized and disenfranchised sectors of society in a
process that is linked to the larger political transformation
agenda (political reforms towards constitutional reform)
Sustain economic growth and spread its benefits
Pursue a reform agenda in social expenditure with a sharper
focus on safety nets (education, health, water, food security)
Reduce drivers of political polarization, e.g. violence &
exclusion (address impunity)
“You have spent many lives and much
treasure to bring freedom to many
lands that were reluctant to receive
it. And here you have a people who
won it by themselves and need only
the help to preserve it.”
* In fact it is possibly the commonest political quote you will find anywhere on the
World Wide Web. It is used to warn of the encroachments of government, and to
warn that governments do not do enough…It is always quoted with considerable
reverence, and is made to stand as one of the unassailable truths about the need for
freedom of action in democratic societies (www.tartarus.org)
One Final Story…
Much Thanks!
Marc Plattner & Sally Blair as well as the other helpful staff at
the International Forum for Democratic Studies, DRC and the
Journal of Democracy
Ryan White, my ever so patient Research Associate
All the wonderful people at NED & The Core Institutes
The input from academics: Robin Broad (AU), Paul Hutchcroft
(UWis-M), Larry Diamond (Stanford), Scott Mainwaring (Notre
Dame), Paolo Carozza (Notre Dame), Mark Thompson(FAU-EN),
Benjie Tolosa(Ateneo), Tony La Vina (Ateneo), Julio Teehankee
(DLSU), Joel Rocamora (IPD) & Mario Taguiwalo (NIPS)
And the many insights from the many conversations with
members of the Washington DC Policy Community: at State,
the Hill, DRL, USAID, Think Tanks, and NGOs