ADVOCATING FOR A CHILD RIGHTS

AGENDA: POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC

LANDSCAPE IN THE 19TH CONGRESS AND
PROSPECTS FOR ADVOCACY AT THE
EXECUTIVE, LEGISLATIVE LGU LEVELS

Child Rights Network – General Assembly

August 9-10, 2022
BY: TOM VILLARIN, FORMER MEMBER
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 17TH CONGRESS
NEVER AGAIN – BUT IT HAPPENED

• Ferdinand Marcos Jr. won 58 percent of the vote in the May 2022 elections, the only presidential majority in post-1987
Philippine electoral history.
• Marcos ‘whitewashing campaign’ through massive disinformation, historical revisionism, myth-making and
exaggeration of a “golden era” under his father, the dictator Marcos Sr., grand alliance with Duterte, GMA, Estrada,
Enrile, et al (Corruption Inc)
• 2022 elections showed how deeply entrenched is the patron-client relationship in our political system; citizens relying
on the beneficence of powerful political dynasties who controls economic power, instruments of violence, and a feudal
socio-cultural mindset
• Opposition under VP Leni Robredo rode on a broad popular-democratic movement (not anti-capitalist nor a socialist
movement) from rational leftists, middle class (middle to upper), youth (18-25yo), seniors (50yo – upwards),
sympathetic military elements and segments in the bureaucracy.
STATE OF THE NATION

• PMarcos Jr. (PMJ) inherits a country deeply in debt at PHP12.68 trillion ($242 billion),
equivalent to 63.5 percent of its GDP; inflation hovering between 5%-6% and underemployment
figures rising (people no longer actively seeking for jobs as there are no jobs available)
• PMJ’s economic team are carry-overs, true-blooded neoliberals led by Finance Secretary Ben
Biokno, NEDA chief Arsenio Balisacan and BSP chief Medalla; essentially, the push is for full
liberalization of the Philippine economy despite a looming global recession
• PMJ, like Duterte, would still veer towards maintaining a strong relations with China and would
not assert the Arbitral Tribunal ruling in our country’s win; West Philippine Sea and even
Benhan Rise will be ‘traded’ for investments and infrastructure projects;
STATE OF THE PEOPLE

• Hunger and malnutrition remain a problem especially despite the increase in food supply in the
markets. In April 2022, 12.2% of Filipinos experienced moderate to severe hunger.
• In 2021, United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reported that 64.25 percent of
Filipinos cannot afford a healthy diet.
• Majority of the poor are disempowered; susceptible and gullible to messianic and populist leaders,
plain charlatans using Ponzi schemes and religion as opium
• Consumption-driven economy - OFW remittances, service sector (dominated by the informal
economy), BPO industry and MSMEs, and exports of raw materials (electrical
machinery/equipment, microchips, copper and ore, optical and medical apparatus, fruits and nuts)
STATE OF GOVERNANCE

• Majority of the populace “controlled by around 250 families,” representing political

dynasties who control political power -- 80% of governors; 75% of municipal/city
mayors; and close to 70% of seats in the House of Representatives (ASOG, 2016)
• PMJ presides over a weak state characterized by a fractious, rent-seeking elite
squeezing and using government to advance their own economic interests
• Lack of participation by the people in all levels of governance
• Loss of family incomes, disruption of child protection services and lockdowns have
increased risks and levels of violence, including sexual exploitation and neglect.
PANDEMIC AND CLIMATE CHANGE

• COVID-19 exacerbated the already catastrophic

children’s access to education (one out of 6 child)
• Worst of COVID-19 pandemic not over as cases are rising
again; no accountability and oversight of Covid-19 funds
• Climate change policy seen as not urgent nor important
(full revival of extractive mining, miniscule budget for
adaptation/mitigation and for RE push)
• Children affected disproportionately by environmental
degradation and climate change impact
DEMOCRACY, HUMAN RIGHTS, ANTI-
CORRUPTION
• Lack strong political institutions (no genuine political party system, weak judicial and justice
system) and weakened democratic institutions (CHR, Supreme Court, Ombudsman, COA)
• Attack on civil society – continuing red-tagging, broad anti-terror law, infringement on right
to free media, free speech and freedom of assembly limits the space of civil society
• Non-recognition, non-promotion, no respect for human rights and the rule of law – dismissive
policies and executive action, “lawfare” (case of Sen. Leila de Lima)
• High corruption (117th in Corruption Perception Index)
• Peace process is sidelined as PMJ will continue Duterte’s war of attrition versus CPP-NPA
RULE BY THE SUPERMAJORITY

• Executive branch would have a top-down policy/decision-making process, with Cabinet secretaries
restrained to function as alter egos
• Congress and Senate dominated by lackeys – no deliberative discussions, debate and thorough review
of policy proposals; national budget still a source of largesse and leverage for support to the President
• Appointments in government not based on merit and fitness (along private networks, payment for
political debts)
• Military and police would remain beholden (high salaries, retirement benefits, etc)
• Conservative and not an activist Supreme Court
NATIONAL-LOCAL DYSFUNCTIONS

• Decentralization with the Mandanas ruling won’t guarantee local development and
reducing poverty (weak capabilities, high dependence on national transfers, lack of
people’s participation in governance)
• Renewed push for federalism but without specifics, clear blueprint for change would only
confuse than inform people
• BARMM would be a severe test case if fiscal and political autonomy will truly work
• Mindanao not seen as a priority concern of PMJ presidency (e.g. no budget for Marawi
rehab)
GAINS IN THE 17TH-18TH CONGRESS
(DUTERTE PRESIDENCY)
• RA 11148, First 1,000 Days law or the Kalusugan at Nutrisyon ng mga Nanay Law
• RA 11188, Special Protection of Children in Situations of Armed Conflict Law
• RA No. 11596, also known as An Act Prohibiting the Practice of Child Marriage and Imposing Penalties
• RA11642 or Domestic Administrative Adoption and Alternative Child Care Act
• RA 11648 or Increasing the Age to Determine Statutory Rape Act
• RA 11650 or Inclusive Education for Learners with Disabilities Act
• RA 11862 or Expanded Anti-Trafficking of Persons Act
• RA 11930 or Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) law
CHALLENGES IN THE 19TH-20TH CONGRESS

• Strengthening of Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act and opposing the lowering of the minimum age
of criminal responsibility
• Positive and Non-Violent Discipline Bill
• Prevention of Adolescent Pregnancy Bill,
• Comprehensive and Responsive Civil Registration and Vital Statistics Bill
• Magna Carta of Children
• Philippine Commission on Children Bill
• BARMM - Bangsamoro Children’s Code.
THEMATIC ISSUES AND CONCERNS

• Welfare of Children
• Sustainable Development Goals
• People’s Participation
• Environmental protection
• Justice, peace and security
WAYS FORWARD

• Government and other stakeholders should put children’s rights at the core of national
and local plans to build back better, with more and better data for monitoring their
situation, to ensure effective response especially in crisis situations.
• Fight all forms of discrimination based on gender, (dis)ability or health status, ethnicity,
sexual orientation or gender identity, or other factors.
• Encourage, ensure and promote children’s participation in decision-making in all levels of
governance
THANK YOU!