The Arroyo Imbroglio in the Philippines Hutchcroft, Paul D. (Paul David) Journal of Democracy, Volume 19, Number 1, January 2008, pp. 141-155 (Article)
Published by The Johns Hopkins University Press DOI: 10.1353/jod.2008.0001
For additional information about this article http://muse.jhu.edu/journals/jod/summary/v019/19.1hutchcroft.html
Access Provided by University of the Philippines - Diliman at 05/28/10 4:01AM GMT
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0AUL $ (UTCHCROFT PROFESSOR OF POLITICAL SCIENCE AT THE 5NIVERSITY OF 7ISCONSINu-ADISON HAS WRITTEN EXTENSIVELY ON 0HILIPPINE POLITICS (E IS AUTHOR OF "OOTY #APITALISM 4HE 0OLITICS OF "ANKING IN THE 0HILIPPINES AND IS COMPLETING A BOOK ON PATRONAGE STRUCTURES AND TERRITORIAL POLITICS IN THE TWENTIETH CENTURY 0HILIPPINES
7ITH THE EXCEPTION OF &ERDINAND -ARCOS WHO HELD POWER FROM
TO NO ONE IN 0HILIPPINE HISTORY HAS HAD A LONGER TENURE IN THE PRESIDENTIAL PALACE THAN 'LORIA -ACAPAGAL !RROYO 3HE FIRST ASSUMED THE PRESIDENCY IN *ANUARY WHEN A rPEOPLE POWERs UPRISING OUST ED 0RESIDENT *OSEPH %STRADA FROM -ALACA^NANG 0ALACE AND ELEVATED HER FROM THE VICE PRESIDENCY TO THE HIGHEST OFFICE IN THE LAND !FTER SERVING OUT %STRADAqS REMAINING TERM UNTIL -ACAPAGAL !RROYO WAS ELECTED FOR ANOTHER SIX YEARS 4ERM LIMIT RESTRICTIONS REQUIRE HER TO STEP DOWN IN AFTER WHAT WILL BE NEARLY A DECADE IN OFFICE )N THE MIDST OF THIS LONGEVITY THE !RROYO ADMINISTRATION HAS FOUND POLITICAL LEGITIMACY TO BE ELUSIVE 0RESIDENT -ACAPAGAL !RROYOqS AS SUMPTION OF OFFICE THROUGH EXTRACONSTITUTIONAL MEANS PROVIDED A WEAK INITIAL MANDATE /VER THE COURSE OF HER SEVEN YEARS IN OFFICE AN ALREADY CRISIS PRONE DEMOCRACY HAS FACED AN UNUSUALLY HIGH NUMBER OF TRAVAILS INCLUDING AN UPRISING BY THE URBAN POOR THAT NEARLY BREACHED THE WALLS OF THE PRESIDENTIAL PALACE ON -AY $AY A BOTCHED MILITARY MUTINY IN *ULY CORRUPTION SCANDALS INVOLVING THE FIRST FAMILY ALLEGATIONS OF PRESIDENTIAL INVOLVEMENT IN FIXING THE ELECTIONS A FAILED COUP ATTEMPT CUM POPULAR UPRISING IN &EBRUARY THAT LED TO THE DECLA RATION OF EMERGENCY RULE CONCERTED ATTACKS ON THE PRESS AN ALARMING SPIKE IN EXTRAJUDICIAL KILLINGS IMPEACHMENT ATTEMPTS IN AND TWO MAJOR BRIBERY SCANDALS IN LATE ONE INVOLVING THE CHIEF ELECTION OFFICER AND THE OTHER BRAZEN CASH PAYOUTS FROM THE 0ALACE TO CONGRESSPERSONS AND GOVERNORS AND A .OVEMBER BOMBING AT THE (OUSE OF 2EPRESENTATIVES THAT KILLED A NOTORIOUS WARLORD CONGRESSMAN *OURNAL OF $EMOCRACY 6OLUME .UMBER *ANUARY ˆ .ATIONAL %NDOWMENT FOR $EMOCRACY AND 4HE *OHNS (OPKINS 5NIVERSITY 0RESS
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FROM -INDANAO -ACAPAGAL !RROYO VERY EFFECTIVELY WIELDS THE SUBSTAN TIAL POWERS OF THE PRESIDENCY TO KEEP HERSELF IN OFFICE AND IN THE PROCESS SHE EXHIBITS NO QUALMS ABOUT FURTHER UNDERMINING THE COUNTRYqS ALREADY WEAK POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS !S THE 0HILIPPINES SUFFERS ONE POLITICAL CRISIS AFTER ANOTHER ITS LONGSTANDING DEMOCRATIC STRUCTURES BECOME INCREASINGLY IMPERILED No country in Asia .O COUNTRY IN !SIA HAS MORE EXPERI has more experience ENCE WITH DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS THAN THE with democratic in0HILIPPINES DATING BACK TO THE FLEDGLING !SSEMBLY CREATED BY THE REVOLUTIONARY RE stitutions than the PUBLIC THAT DECLARED INDEPENDENCE IN Philippines. AFTER MORE THAN THREE CENTURIES OF 3PANISH RULE 4HE 5NITED 3TATESq RAPID DEFEAT OF 3PAIN IN THE 3PANISH !MERICAN 7AR LED TO A PROTRACTED COLONIAL CONQUEST OF THE 0HILIPPINES IN THE WAKE OF WHICH THE 5NITED 3TATES EMBARKED ON ITS FIRST MAJOR OVERSEAS EXPERIMENT IN rNATION BUILDING s %LECTIONS PROCEEDED FROM THE MUNICIPAL LEVEL TO THE PROVINCIAL LEVEL TO THE /CTOBER CON VENING OF A 0HILIPPINE .ATIONAL !SSEMBLY BRINGING TOGETHER PROMINENT ELITES FROM THROUGHOUT THE LOWLAND #HRISTIAN 0HILIPPINES 3EVERAL KEY ELEMENTS OF 0HILIPPINE DEMOCRACY CAN BE TRACED TO THE 5 3 COLONIAL ERA 4HE FIRST IS PATRONAGE INFESTED POLITICAL PARTIES THAT RELY HEAVILY ON PORK BARREL PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS RUN THROUGH NATIONAL LEGISLATORS 5NDER 5 3 GOVERNOR GENERAL 7ILLIAM (OWARD 4AFTqS rPOLICY OF ATTRACTION s WHICH WAS INTENDED TO WOO THE LANDLORD CLASS AWAY FROM THE REVOLUTIONARY STRUGGLE AND TOWARD COLLABORATION WITH THE 5NITED 3TATES THE ECONOMIC ELITE OF THE 3PANISH COLONIAL ERA WAS TRANSFORMED INTO A POLITICAL ECONOMIC ELITE THAT CONTINUES TO WIELD POWER TODAY "ECAUSE REPRESENTATIVE INSTITUTIONS IN THE 0HILIPPINES EMERGED BEFORE THE CREATION OF STRONG BUREAUCRATIC INSTITUTIONS IT WAS EASY FOR PATRON AGE HUNGRY POLITICOS TO OVERWHELM THE NASCENT ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCIES OF THE COLONIAL STATE 4AFT LIKED TO EVOKE IMAGES OF .EW %NGLANDuSTYLE DELIBERATIVE DEMOCRACY BUT THE END RESULT IS BETTER THOUGHT OF AS A 0HILIPPINE VERSION OF 4AMMANY (ALL 3ECOND THE COLONIAL POLITICAL SYSTEM ENSURED EXCLUSION OF THE MASSES AND CONTROL BY A NATIONAL OLIGARCHY NURTURED BY 5 3 RULE 4HE FRANCHISE WAS LIMITED TO A TINY ELECTORATE AND DID NOT BEGIN TO EXPAND SUBSTANTIALLY UNTIL THE LATE COLONIAL AND EARLY POSTCOLONIAL YEARS "Y THIS TIME THE DOMINANCE OF THE NATIONAL OLIGARCHY WAS SO WELL ENTRENCHED THAT CHAL LENGES FROM BELOW FACED MONUMENTAL ODDS ! THIRD MAJOR LEGACY IS THE PROVINCIAL BASIS OF NATIONAL POLITICS AS INFLUENTIAL PROVINCIAL ELITES THRIVED IN THE NATIONAL ARENAS ESTABLISHED BY 5 3 OFFICIALS &INALLY THE STRONG PRESIDENCY OF THE MODERN 0HILIPPINES BEGAN WITH THE EMERGENCE OF THE 0HILIPPINE #OMMONWEALTH IN WHEN 0RESIDENT -ANUEL , 1UEZON PRESIDED OVER A WEAK .ATIONAL !SSEMBLY AND ENJOYED LARGELY UNCONTESTED EXECUTIVE AUTHORITY
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4HESE LEGACIES WERE THE FOUNDATIONS FROM WHICH 0HILIPPINE POLITICS EVOLVED AFTER INDEPENDENCE IN !MONG THE TRENDS OF THE S AND THE S WERE THE FURTHER EXPANSION OF SUFFRAGE THE EMERGENCE OF CHAR ISMATIC APPEALS A NEW PROMINENCE FOR THE MEDIA THE EXPANSION OF CIVIL SOCIETY ENHANCED PRESIDENTIAL MOBILIZATION OF THE ARMY AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AGENCIES AND THE INCREASING COST OF ELECTIONS 4HE GENIUS OF rCACIQUE DEMOCRACY s AS "ENEDICT !NDERSON EXPLAINS WAS ITS CAPACITY TO ROTATE POWER AT THE TOP WITHOUT EFFECTIVE PARTICIPATION OF THOSE BELOW &ERDINAND -ARCOS UNDERMINED THE SYSTEM OF REGULAR ROTATION HOWEVER BEGINNING IN WHEN HE BECAME THE FIRST POSTWAR PRESIDENT TO BE RE ELECTED TO A SECOND TERM 4HREE YEARS LATER PARTLY IN AN EFFORT TO SKIRT THE TWO TERM LIMIT IMPOSED BY THE #ONSTITUTION -ARCOS DECLARED MARTIAL LAW (IS PERSONALISTIC AUTHORITARIAN RULE AMPLY REWARDED BY SUC CESSIVE 5 3 PRESIDENTS IN EXCHANGE FOR CONTINUED UNHAMPERED ACCESS TO 5 3 MILITARY BASES ENDURED FOR MORE THAN THIRTEEN YEARS UNTIL 7HEN PEOPLE POWER CONFRONTED -ARCOSqS TANKS ON THE STREETS OF -ANILA IN &EBRUARY THE 0HILIPPINES BECAME A BEACON OF HOPE FOR DEMOCRATS AROUND THE WORLD !S #ORAZON !QUINO WAS PROPELLED FROM GRIEVING WIDOW TO DEMOCRATIC ICON AND THE 0HILIPPINES BEGAN ITS TRAN SITION OUT OF AUTHORITARIAN RULE THERE WAS MUCH TO CELEBRATE ABOUT THE EXUBERANCE OF THE COUNTRYqS DEMOCRATIC SPIRIT /PPOSITION TO -ARCOS HAD NURTURED THE GROWTH OF VIBRANT CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS DEDICATED TO PROMOTING THE INTERESTS OF FARMERS THE URBAN POOR WOMEN INDIGENOUS PEOPLES AND OTHERS WHO HAD LONG BEEN MARGINALIZED BY THE COUNTRYqS POLITICAL SYSTEM ! NEW BREED OF INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISTS SEEMINGLY FEARLESS IN THEIR DESIRE TO EXPOSE CORRUPTION EMERGED AFTER THE COUNTRYqS TRANSITION BACK TO DEMOCRACY %LECTIONS BROUGHT FORTH HIGH TURNOUTS AND EXTENSIVE CIVIC INVOLVEMENT 4HE COUNTRYqS RETURN TO DEMOCRATIC STRUCTURES HOWEVER REVEALED MANY UNDERLYING PROBLEMS &IRST NUMEROUS COUP ATTEMPTS AGAINST THE !QUINO GOVERNMENT DEMONSTRATED THE DIFFICULTIES OF RETURNING THE MILI TARY TO THE BARRACKS AFTER MORE THAN A DECADE OF MARTIAL LAW 3ECOND THE -AOIST INSURGENCY OF THE #OMMUNIST 0ARTY OF THE 0HILIPPINES AND ITS .EW 0EOPLEqS !RMY CONTINUED IN MANY PARTS OF THE ARCHIPELAGO ASSISTED BY SUCCESSIVE GOVERNMENTSq FAILURES TO ADDRESS IMMENSE SOCIOECONOMIC DIVIDES )N THE 3ULU ARCHIPELAGO AND PARTS OF THE LARGE SOUTHERN ISLAND OF -INDANAO -USLIM SECESSIONISTS CHALLENGED THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT AND DEMANDED ATTENTION TO THEIR LONGSTANDING GRIEVANCES 4HIRD THE EFFEC TIVE REINSTATEMENT OF PREuMARTIAL LAW ELECTORAL AND REPRESENTATIVE STRUC TURES FACILITATED THE RESTORATION OF THE POWER OF THE OLD LOCAL CLANS WHO DOMINATED THE NEWLY CONVENED LEGISLATURE IN -ANILA AND USED THE NEW DEMOCRATIC DISPENSATION AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO REINVIGORATE PRIVATE ARMIES THAT HAD BEEN DISMANTLED UNDER -ARCOS &OURTH WHILE POLITICAL PARTIES EXPANDED IN NUMBER THEY REMAIN TODAY NEARLY INDISTINGUISHABLE FROM ONE ANOTHER IN TERMS OF PROGRAMMATIC AND POLICY POSITIONS
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0OLITICIANS HAVE LITTLE ALLEGIANCE TO PARTY LABELS FREQUENTLY BOLTING FROM ONE PARTY TO ANOTHER IN SEARCH OF THE GREATEST ACCESS TO PATRONAGE RE SOURCES 0OLITICAL DIVIDES ARE EVER SHIFTING UNITING FORMER RIVALS AND DI VIDING FORMER ALLIES IN A CONTINUAL PROCESS OF ALIGNMENT AND REALIGNMENT ALMOST ENTIRELY DIVORCED FROM COHERENT POSITIONS ON POLICIES OR PROGRAMS !T TIMES IT SEEMS AS COMMON FOR CANDIDATES TO PUT UP PARTIES AS IT IS FOR PARTIES TO PUT UP CANDIDATES 0OLITICAL SCIENTIST .ATHAN 1UIMPO PROVIDES PERHAPS THE BEST DESCRIPTION OF CONTEMPORARY 0HILIPPINE POLITICAL PARTIES rCONVENIENT VEHICLES OF PATRONAGE THAT CAN BE SET UP MERGED WITH OTH ERS SPLIT RECONSTITUTED REGURGITATED RESURRECTED RENAMED REPACKAGED RECYCLED REFURBISHED BUFFED UP OR FLUSHED DOWN THE TOILET ANYTIME s )N AN ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS ARE WEAK DIFFER ENCES IN LEADERSHIP STYLES HAVE A PARTICULARLY LARGE IMPACT ON POLITICAL OUTCOMES 4HE FOUR POST -ARCOS PRESIDENTS VARY ENORMOUSLY IN THE QUALITY AND GOALS OF THEIR LEADERSHIP #ORAZON !QUINO R u WIDOW OF A MARTYRED POLITICIAN MIGHT BE CHARACTERIZED AS AN ELITE RES TORATIONIST SINCE HER MAJOR ACHIEVEMENT WAS TO REBUILD THE ELITE DOMI NATED DEMOCRATIC STRUCTURES UNDERMINED BY HER AUTHORITARIAN PREDECES SOR &ORMER GENERAL &IDEL 2AMOS R u WAS THE MILITARY REFORMER WHO ACHIEVED CONSIDERABLE SUCCESS IN BRINGING ABOUT ECONOMIC RE FORM THROUGH DEFT MANIPULATION OF OLD STYLE PATRONAGE POLITICS *OSEPH %STRADA R u A FORMER MOVIE STAR WAS THE POPULIST SELF AG GRANDIZER WHO BUILT A STRONG FOLLOWING AMONG THE MASSES AND THEN REDISTRIBUTED WEALTH IN FAVOR OF HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS ANGER OVER HIS CORRUPTION LED TO HIS DOWNFALL VIA r0EOPLE 0OWER ))s IN *ANUARY &INALLY 0RESIDENT 'LORIA -ACAPAGAL !RROYO R uPRESENT A FORMER PRESIDENTqS DAUGHTER AND THE HOLDER OF A DOCTORATE IN ECONOMICS MIGHT BE CALLED THE GREAT COMPROMISER GIVEN HER WILLINGNESS TO ACCOMMODATE ANYONE ABLE TO HELP HER RETAIN THE PRESIDENCY
!N %LECTION 3CANDAL AND )TS !FTERMATH /N THE SURFACE THE -AY MIDTERM ELECTIONS SEEMED TO DEM ONSTRATE THE VITALITY OF 0HILIPPINE DEMOCRACY 3OME CANDIDATES CONTESTED MORE THAN LOCAL AND NATIONAL POSTS 4WO THIRDS OF REGISTERED VOTERS EXERCISED THEIR RIGHT TO VOTE (UNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF CITIZENS MOBILIZED TO GUARD THE POLLS IN FOUR FIFTHS OR MORE OF THE NATIONqS PRECINCTS AND TO MONITOR THE VOTE COUNT AFTERWARD )N THE SENA TORIAL ELECTIONS WIDELY VIEWED AS A POPULAR REFERENDUM ON THE !RROYO ADMINISTRATION CANDIDATES RUNNING UNDER AN AD HOC LABEL OF r'ENUINE /PPOSITIONs ENDED UP WINNING A MAJORITY OF THE SEATS AT STAKE DE SPITE LARGE SUMS EXPENDED BY THOSE WHO CAMPAIGNED UNDER THE PRESI DENTqS RIVAL BANNER OF r4EAM 5NITY s ! CLOSER LOOK HOWEVER REVEALS THAT THE 0HILIPPINE ELECTORAL PRO CESS IS ALIVE BUT NOT WELL 4HE MOST RECENT ELECTIONS WENT FORWARD UN
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DER THE SHADOW OF THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION AFTER WHICH 0RESIDENT -ACAPAGAL !RROYO WAS ACCUSED OF PERSONAL INVOLVEMENT IN AN ATTEMPT TO FIX THE RESULTS "ECAUSE SHE CAME INTO OFFICE IN VIA PEOPLE POW ER -ACAPAGAL !RROYOqS FIRST THREE YEARS IN THE 0ALACE WERE DOGGED BY QUESTIONS OF LEGITIMACYvEVEN THOUGH THE 3UPREME #OURT HAD GIVEN ITS IMPRIMATUR TO HER ASCENSION 4HE PRESIDENT WAS DETERMINED TO CORRECT THIS AT THE BALLOT BOX AND IN THE ELECTIONS HER CONSIDERABLE PATRON AGE RESOURCES WERE SKILLFULLY DEPLOYED TO LOCAL POLITICIANS THROUGHOUT THE ARCHIPELAGO 4HERE WERE MANY ALLEGATIONS OF IMPROPER USE OF PUBLIC FUNDS MANIPULATION OF GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS AND TAMPERING WITH THE VOTE COUNT BUT ELECTION MONITORING GROUPS WERE GENERALLY HAPPY TO DE CLARE THE RESULTS rFREE AND FAIR s -ANY FEARED THE CONSEQUENCES OF VICTO RY BY -ACAPAGAL !RROYOqS MAJOR OPPONENT &ERNANDO 0OE *R A POPULAR MOVIE STAR WITH CLOSE TIES TO DEPOSED PRESIDENT %STRADA 4HE .ATIONAL -OVEMENT FOR &REE %LECTIONS .!-&2%, IN PARTICULAR SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN MORE CONCERNED WITH GIVING -ACAPAGAL !RROYO LEGITIMACY THAN WITH SAFEGUARDING THE SANCTITY OF THE BALLOT 7ITH THE HELP OF rFREE ELECTIONs MONITORS -ACAPAGAL !RROYO MAN AGED TO WEATHER CRITICISM AND ENJOY THE LEGITIMATION OF HER MILLION VOTE MARGIN OVER 0OE "Y MID HOWEVER THINGS HAD STARTED TO UNRAVEL )N -AY CAME ACCUSATIONS THAT HER HUSBAND AND SON WERE TAKING MONTHLY PAYMENTS FROM GAMBLING LORDS 4HIS HAD PARTICULAR RESONANCE BECAUSE HER PREDECESSOR *OSEPH %STRADA HAD BEEN DRUMMED OUT OF OFFICE PARTLY DUE TO ACCUSATIONS OF HEADING UP A LUCRATIVE GAMBLING SYNDICATE -OST DAMAGING HOWEVER WAS THE BOMBSHELL THAT HIT THE HEADLINES IN *UNE 4APES OF WIRETAPPED CONVERSATIONS WERE RELEASED THOUGHT TO CON TAIN THE VOICE OF THE PRESIDENT TALKING TO A #OMMISSION ON %LECTIONS #/-%,%# COMMISSIONER AMID THE COUNTING OF BALLOTS IN THE WEEKS AFTER THE -AY ELECTION )N ONE OFT QUOTED SEGMENT SAID TO BE FROM LATE -AY A FEMALE VOICE EXPRESSES CONCERN FOR THE ELECTORAL MARGIN r3O ) WILL STILL LEAD BY MORE THAN ONE - OVERALL s WHILE A MALE VOICE PROMISES TO WORK THINGS OUT 4HESE ACCUSATIONS PRODUCED A FIRESTORM OF ANGER AGAINST THE 0ALACE AND LED TO A NATIONALLY TELECAST APOLOGY FROM THE PRESIDENT ON *UNE 3HE ADMITTED TO IMPROPER CONVERSATIONS WITH THE COMMISSIONER UNSA VORY #/-%,%# VETERAN 6IRGILIO r'ARCIs 'ARCILLANO BUT DENIED THAT IT WAS HER VOICE ON THE LEAKED TAPES )N RETROSPECT IT SEEMS THAT -ACAPAGAL !RROYO HAD BROUGHT UPON HERSELF A STRING OF PRESIDENTIAL BAD LUCK PER HAPS UNRIVALED SINCE 2ICHARD .IXON DECIDED TO RECORD HIS CONVERSATIONS IN THE /VAL /FFICE &IRST 'ARCILLANO HAD BEEN NAMED A COMMISSIONER IN &EBRUARY SEEMINGLY TO DO WHATEVER MIGHT BE NECESSARY TO GUAR ANTEE A DECISIVE !RROYO VICTORY IN -AY 4HE 0ALACE THEN BROUGHT THE )NTELLIGENCE 3ERVICE OF THE !RMED &ORCES OF THE 0HILIPPINES )3!&0 UN DER ITS WING TO MONITOR ELECTION RELATED CONVERSATIONS INCLUDING THOSE OF 'ARCILLANO LIKELY OUT OF CONCERN THAT HE MIGHT CUT DEALS FOR HIMSELF
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THAT COULD BE DISADVANTAGEOUS TO THE ADMINISTRATION )3!&0 PROCEEDED TO TAPE THESE CONVERSATIONS AND THE PRESIDENT SEEMINGLY HAD THE MISFOR TUNE OF HAVING HER OWN CONVERSATIONS WITH 'ARCILLANO LEAKED TO OPPOSI TION FIGURES BY DISGRUNTLED MILITARY INTELLIGENCE OFFICERS 4HE SECRET TAPES QUICKLY BECAME PART OF THE PUBLIC DOMAIN AND THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY THE LEGENDARY r(ELLO 'ARCI s GREETING COULD BE HEARD AS A CELL PHONE RING TONE 4HE COUNTRY WAS RIVETED BY WHAT CAME TO BE KNOWN AS THE r(ELLO 'ARCIs SCANDAL AND ON *ULY THERE WAS A CONCERTED PUSH TO FORCE THE PRESIDENT FROM OFFICE &IRST CAME THE RESIGNATION OF TEN MEMBERS OF THE CABINET FOLLOWED BY CALLS FOR THE PRESIDENTqS RESIGNATION BY FORMER ALLIES REFORMIST ELEMENTS OF THE ,IBERAL 0ARTY THE INFLUENTIAL -AKATI "USINESS #LUB AND FORMER PRESI DENT !QUINO /PINION POLLS REGISTERED OVERWHELMING MAJORITIES IN FAVOR OF RESIGNATION OR IMPEACHMENT -ACAPAGAL !RROYO SURVIVED THE CRISIS WITH THE CRITICAL SUPPORT OF FORMER PRESIDENT 2AMOS AND (OUSE 3PEAKER *OSE DE 6ENECIA *R TO WHOM SHE REPORTEDLY PROMISED THAT SHE WOULD STEP DOWN FROM OFFICE AND USHER IN A CONSTITUTIONAL SHIFT TOWARD PARLIA MENTARY GOVERNMENT )N ITS FIGHT FOR SURVIVAL THE !RROYO ADMINISTRATION QUICKLY TRIED TO SHIFT THE TOPIC FROM ELECTORAL SCANDAL TO POLITICAL REFORM )N HER ANNUAL 3TATE OF THE .ATION ADDRESS IN LATE *ULY -ACAPAGAL !RROYO DE CLARED THAT rOUR POLITICAL SYSTEM HAS DEGENERATED TO SUCH AN EXTENT THAT ITqS VERY DIFFICULT TO LIVE WITHIN THE SYSTEM WITH HANDS TOTALLY UNTAINT ED s 7HILE THIS STATEMENT WAS NO DOUBT AN EFFORT TO EMPHASIZE SYSTEMIC RATHER THAN PERSONAL ACCOUNTABILITY IT HAD BECOME CLEAR TO MANY THAT 0HILIPPINE DEMOCRACY WAS BADLY IN NEED OF REFORM 7HILE THE CRISES OF AND HAD BEEN PRIMARILY CONCERNED WITH THE LEGITIMACY OF INDIVIDUAL LEADERS THE r(ELLO 'ARCIs CRISIS HIGHLIGHTED THE LEGITIMACY DEFICIT NOT ONLY OF AN INDIVIDUAL LEADER BUT ALSO OF AN ENTIRE POLITICAL SYSTEM )N HER SPEECH THE PRESIDENT URGED THE COUNTRY TO rSTART THE GREAT DEBATE ON CHARTER CHANGEs AND SPECIFICALLY MENTIONED BUT DID NOT EX PLICITLY ENDORSE THE POSSIBILITY OF SHIFTING THE COUNTRYqS POLITICAL STRUC TURES FROM PRESIDENTIAL TO PARLIAMENTARY AND FROM UNITARY TO FEDERAL !LTHOUGH THE 3PEAKER OF THE (OUSE MAY HAVE DESIRED MORE WHOLE HEARTED SUPPORT FOR A SHIFT TO PARLIAMENTARISM DE 6ENECIA NONETHELESS CAME TO -ACAPAGAL !RROYOqS AID IN 3EPTEMBER BY ENSURING THAT AN IM PEACHMENT ATTEMPT WOULD NOT MUSTER THE NECESSARY SUPPORT OF ONE THIRD OF THE MEMBERS OF THE (OUSE OF 2EPRESENTATIVES 4HIS IS CONSISTENT WITH HISTORICAL PATTERNS IN 0HILIPPINE POLITICS 4HE POWER OF THE PORK BARREL ENABLES PRESIDENTS TO MAKE OR BREAK THE SPEAKER WHO IN TURN MUST DE LIVER THE LOYALTY OF THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF THE (OUSE /THER FACTORS ALSO ASSISTED -ACAPAGAL !RROYO IN HER FIGHT FOR SURVIV AL &IRST THE LATE DEATH OF &ERNANDO 0OE *R HER OPPONENT IN THE ELECTIONS DEPRIVED THE OPPOSITION OF AN OBVIOUS FIGURE AROUND WHOM IT COULD RALLY 3ECOND STRONG PUBLIC SENTIMENT AGAINST THE PRESIDENT DID
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NOT TRANSLATE INTO A REPEAT EPISODE OF PEOPLE POWER $EMONSTRATIONS WERE CALLED BUT THEY FAILED TO DRAW LARGE CROWDS -ANY AT THE TIME SPOKE OF rPEOPLE POWER FATIGUE s BUT THERE WAS PROBABLY A DEEPER DISILLUSIONMENT AT PLAY 4HIS TIME AROUND IT WAS DIFFICULT FOR CITIZENS TO NURSE HOPES THAT A MERE CHANGE IN LEADERSHIP WOULD FIX THE PROBLEMS OF THE COUNTRY -ANY SEEMED TIRED OF BEING PAWNS IN INTRAELITE SQUABBLES THAT ULTIMATELY BROUGHT LITTLE CHANGE 4HIRD -ACAPAGAL !RROYO WAS AIDED BY WIDESPREAD CONCERNS OVER THE POSSIBILITY THAT THE VICE PRESIDENT FORMER NEWSCAST ER .OLI DE #ASTRO MIGHT COME TO POWER !LTHOUGH STRONG IN TERMS OF MASS APPEAL DE #ASTRO IS NOT HIGHLY RESPECTED AMONG THOSE IN THE UPPER CLASSES AND HAS ALLEGEDLY PROFITED FROM UNSEEMLY JOURNALISTIC PRACTICES &INALLY THE PRESIDENT HAD DONE A MASTERFUL JOB OF CULTIVATING THE LOYALTY OF KEY GENERALS $ESPITE SIGNIFICANT DISCONTENT IN THE LOWER RANKS THE TOP BRASS HAS UP UNTIL NOW REMAINED FIRMLY IN HER CAMP
! 4ENDENCY 4OWARD !UTHORITARIANISM 4HE LOYALTY OF THE GENERALS BECAME ESPECIALLY VALUABLE IN &EBRUARY WHEN A COMBINATION OF JUNIOR OFFICERS ON THE RIGHT AND CIVILIAN FORCES ON THE LEFT WANTED TO CELEBRATE THE TWENTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DOWNFALL OF -ARCOS WITH A PUTSCH TO BRING DOWN -ACAPAGAL !RROYO 7HEN CERTAIN TOP OFFICERS WERE ASKED TO JOIN THEY REPORTED THE PLOT TO THE 0ALACE 4HIS THEN LED TO THE DECLARATION OF EMERGENCY RULE COINCIDING WITH THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE COUNTRYqS TRANSITION TO DEMOCRACY TWO DECADES EARLIER !S 3HEILA #ORONEL OBSERVES r4HAT MORNING IN &EBRUARY SAW THE MEETING OF THE TWO MOST POWERFUL NARRATIVES OF RECENT 0HILIPPINE HISTORY THE DECLARATION OF MARTIAL LAW IN AND THE POPULAR UPRISING 7HAT &ILIPINOS GOT IN WERE PALE VERSIONS OF BOTH s )N THE END THE DEMONSTRATIONS WERE SUPPRESSED BUT THE STATE OF EMERGENCY LASTED ONLY A FEW WEEKS AND WAS LATER RULED ILLEGAL BY THE 3UPREME #OURT -ACAPAGAL !RROYOqS DEPENDENCE ON THE MILITARY COMBINED WITH HER ADMINISTRATIONqS OWN INCLINATION TO LAUNCH A CRACKDOWN LED TO THE *UNE DECLARATION OF AN rALL OUT WARs AGAINST THE NEARLY THREE DECADE OLD COMMUNIST INSURGENCY 4HIS CAME AMID MOUNTING CONCERN OVER THE KILL INGS OF HUNDREDS OF LEFTISTS ACTIVISTS AND CHURCH PERSONNEL r!S SENIOR OFFICIALS AND MILITARY OFFICERS LABELED MEMBERS OF THE LEGAL LEFT pENEMIES OF THE STATE q AND FAILED TO CONDEMN THE KILLINGS CONSISTENTLY AT ALL LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT s CONCLUDES A !MNESTY )NTERNATIONAL REPORT rFEARS GREW THAT ELEMENTS WITHIN THE ARMED FORCES MIGHT INTERPRET THIS AS A TACIT SIGNAL THAT POLITICAL KILLINGS WERE A LEGITIMATE PART OF THE ANTIINSURGENCY CAMPAIGN s !CCORDING TO (UMAN 2IGHTS 7ATCH NOT A SINGLE PERPETRATOR HAS BEEN SUCCESSFULLY PROSECUTED 0RESIDENT -ACAPAGAL !RROYOqS OWN INVESTIGATIVE COMMISSION CONCLUDES THAT rSOME ELEMENTS IN THE MILITARY WERE BEHIND THE KILLING OF ACTIVISTSs AND THAT RANKING ARMED FORCES PER SONNEL HAVE FAILED IN THEIR DUTY TO INVESTIGATE PUNISH AND PREVENT THE
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KILLINGS !FTER AN EARLY FACT FINDING MISSION A 5. SPECIAL RAPPOR TEUR EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT THE IMPACT OF THESE KILLINGS ON THE DEMO CRATIC PROCESS r)T INTIMIDATES VAST NUMBERS OF CIVIL SOCIETY ACTORS IT SENDS A MESSAGE OF VULNERABILITY TO ALL BUT THE MOST WELL CONNECTED AND IT SEVERELY UNDERMINES THE POLITICAL DISCOURSE WHICH IS CENTRAL TO A RESO LUTION OF THE PROBLEMS CONFRONTING THIS COUNTRY s &URTHER CHALLENGES TO DEMOCRATIC DISCOURSE HAVE COME IN THE FORM OF ATTACKS ON THE PRESS )N 2EPORTERS 7ITHOUT "ORDERS DECLARED THAT r;A=FTER )RAQ THE 0HILIPPINES IS THE MOST DANGEROUS COUNTRY FOR JOURNAL ISTS s 4HIRTY TWO JOURNALISTS WERE KILLED FOR THEIR REPORTING BETWEEN AND BUT ONLY TWO CASES HAVE LED TO CONVICTIONS 4HE GOVERNMENT COMMISSION ON MEDIA AND ACTIVIST KILLINGS POINTS THE FINGER AT rLOCAL POLITICIANS WARLORDS OR BIG BUSINESS INTERESTSs DRIVEN BY A RANGE OF MAINLY LOCAL MOTIVES ! NEWER MODE OF MEDIA HARASSMENT WAS LAUNCHED BY THE PRESIDENTqS HUSBAND r&IRST 'ENTLEMANs *OSE -IGUEL !RROYO WHO IN FILED DEFAMATION SUITS SEEKING A TOTAL OF MILLION IN DAMAGES AGAINST JOURNALISTS (E OBJECTED TO STORIES ACCUSING HIM OF INVOLVE MENT IN VOTE RIGGING AND CORRUPTION IF CONVICTED OF DEFAMATION A CRIMI NAL OFFENSE THE JOURNALISTS COULD ALSO FACE IMPRISONMENT FOR SIX MONTHS TO SIX YEARS ! GOVERNMENT ATTEMPT TO CHARGE OTHER JOURNALISTS WITH SEDI TION IN THE WAKE OF THE &EBRUARY COUP ATTEMPT WAS BLOCKED BY THE 3UPREME #OURT )T IS NOT CLEAR TO WHAT EXTENT THESE LEGAL CHARGES WILL INTIMIDATE OR EMBOLDEN THE MEDIA PARTICULARLY GIVEN THAT LIBEL AND SEDI TION LAWS HAVE NOT IN THE PAST BEEN EFFECTIVE MEANS OF CURBING MEDIA CRITICISM OF GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS #OMBINED WITH THE KILLINGS HOWEVER THESE LEGAL CHARGES MUST BE VIEWED AS AN ATTACK ON ONE OF THE MAJOR BULWARKS OF 0HILIPPINE DEMOCRACY 7HILE DEMONSTRATING ITS AUTHORITARIAN INCLINATIONS THE !RROYO GOVERN MENT SIMULTANEOUSLY STEPPED UP THE CAMPAIGN TO REVAMP THE COUNTRYqS DEMOCRATIC STRUCTURES !S IN THIS WAS MOTIVATED IN PART BY A NEED TO ENCOURAGE 3PEAKER DE 6ENECIAqS ACTIVE SUPPORT IN QUASHING A SECOND IMPEACHMENT ATTEMPT 4HIS GOAL WAS ACCOMPLISHED IN !UGUST JUST AS THE 0ALACE WAS MOBILIZING TENS OF THOUSANDS OF LOCAL POLITICIANS IN THE PROVINCES TO SUPPORT CHARTER CHANGE VIA A NATIONWIDE rPEOPLEqS INITIA TIVE s -ILLIONS OF SIGNATURES FROM THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY WERE SOLICITED IN FAVOR OF A SHIFT FROM A BICAMERAL PRESIDENTIAL SYSTEM TO A UNICAMERAL PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM BUT THE 3UPREME #OURT RULED IN /CTOBER THAT THE CAMPAIGN FELL SHORT OF CONSTITUTIONAL REQUIREMENTS )N A DESPERATE YEAR END MOVE DE 6ENECIA AND HIS ALLIES IN THE (OUSE TRIED TO PUSH FOR REVISION OF THE CONSTITUTIONvCREATING A UNICAMERAL PAR LIAMENTvTHROUGH THE ALTERNATIVE MODE OF CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY 4HE AL READY SCHEDULED -AY CONGRESSIONAL POLLS WOULD BE CANCELED IN FA VOR OF .OVEMBER ELECTIONS FOR AN INTERIM PARLIAMENTARY BODY THAT WOULD SERVE UNTIL -ACAPAGAL !RROYO WOULD SERVE OUT HER TERM AS PRESIDENT UNTIL AT WHICH POINT BOTH SHE AND DE 6ENECIA WOULD BE
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ELIGIBLE TO RUN FOR PARLIAMENT AND SEEK THE POST OF PRIME MINISTER 4HE PLAN WAS A SPECTACULAR FAILURE 3ENATORS NOT SURPRISINGLY WERE OPPOSED TO REFORMS DESIGNED TO ABOLISH THEIR CHAMBER AND THEY WERE JOINED BY THE #ATHOLIC BISHOPS ANTI !RROYO FORCES AND THOSE WHO FAVORED CON STITUTIONAL CHANGE BUT WANTED IT TO COME THROUGH THE MORE DELIBERATIVE MODE OF A POPULARLY ELECTED CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION
%LECTION )NTRIGUE !S SOON AS THE PLAN WAS DEFEATED THE COUNTRYqS POLITICAL ELITES REFO CUSED THEIR ATTENTION ON THE -AY MIDTERM ELECTIONS )T HAS ALREADY BEEN NOTED THAT IN THE 3ENATEvWHERE HALF THE SEATS ARE ELECTED EVERY THREE YEARS FROM A SINGLE NATIONAL DISTRICTv-ACAPAGAL !RROYOqS FORCES WERE SOUNDLY DEFEATED 4HE MOST STUNNING REBUKE TO -ACAPAGAL !RROYO WAS THE ELECTION OF OPPOSITION SENATOR !NTONIO 4RILLANES )6 ACCUSED OF BEING A MASTERMIND OF THE FAILED ANTI !RROYO MUTINY OF *ULY 4HE YEAR OLD FORMER NAVY OFFICER WON ELEVEN MILLION VOTES FOR AN ELEVENTH PLACE FINISH DESPITE CAMPAIGNING FROM HIS PRISON CELL )N THE (OUSE AS WAS TO BE EXPECTED THE PRESIDENTqS CONTROL OVER PATRONAGE RESOURCES ENSURED THAT THE ADMINISTRATION COALITION WOULD BE SUCCESSFUL IN GAINING AN OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF THE SINGLE MEMBER DISTRICT LEVEL SEATS )N AS IN THE ELECTIONS REVEALED MAJOR SHORTCOMINGS IN THE COUNTRYqS DEMOCRATIC STRUCTURES 4HE 0HILIPPINE BALLOT IS PROBABLY ONE OF THE MOST ARCHAIC IN THE WORLD AS VOTERS ARE REQUIRED TO FILL IN BY HAND THE NAMES OF ALL CANDIDATES FOR WHOM THEY ARE VOTING 4HE VOTE TALLY IS THEN COMPILED ALSO BY HAND 7ITH THIRTY MILLION BALLOTS CAST LAST -AY EACH CONTAINING THE VOTES FOR ROUGHLY TO POSITIONS ELECTION OFFICIALS FACED THE GARGANTUAN TASK OF COUNTING ALMOST A BILLION PREFER ENCES IN ALL 4HIS LABORIOUS PROCESS IS HIGHLY SUSCEPTIBLE TO FRAUD !S OFFICIAL ELECTION TALLIES BEGIN THEIR LONG MIGRATION FROM LOCAL PRECINCTS THROUGHOUT THE 0HILIPPINE ARCHIPELAGO TO -ANILA OVER THE COURSE OF SEV ERAL WEEKS POLITICIANS CAN USE A VARIETY OF TACTICS TO SUPPLEMENT RETAIL VOTE PURCHASES WITH WHOLESALE MANIPULATION OF THE VOTE COUNT )N EACH OF THE LAST TWO ELECTIONS THE #OMMISSION ON %LECTIONS HAS DEMONSTRATED ITSELF TO BE FABULOUSLY INCOMPETENT AND OFTEN VERY COR RUPT IN PERFORMING ITS THREE BASIC TASKS OF PREPARING FOR ELECTIONS EXE CUTING THE POLLING PROCESS AND COUNTING THE VOTES .!-&2%, REPORTED THAT IN DUE TO HUGE ERRORS IN #/-%,%#qS VOTER LISTS rDISENFRAN CHISEMENT MAY HAVE RUN AS HIGH AS TWO MILLION VOTERS s 4HERE HAS LONG BEEN TALK OF MODERNIZING THE BALLOT BUT ALLEGATIONS OF CORRUPTION HAVE IMPEDED CHANGE -OST RECENTLY IN A #/-%,%# ATTEMPT TO AUTOMATE THE ELECTORAL SYSTEM WAS NULLIFIED BY THE 3UPREME #OURT DUE TO BIDDING VIOLATIONS &INALLY THE LONG VOTE COUNT PROVIDES AMPLE OP PORTUNITIES FOR ELECTION OFFICIALS TO SOLICIT PAYOFFS NOT ONLY FROM TRAILING
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CANDIDATES WANTING TO PAD THEIR VOTES BUT ALSO FROM LEADING CANDIDATES NEEDING TO PROTECT THEIR VOTES AGAINST THE CHEATING OF OTHERS !FTER THE -AY ELECTIONS IT TOOK ALMOST TWO MONTHS BEFORE THE TWELFTH RANKED CANDIDATE WAS PROCLAIMED A VICTOR IN THE 3ENATE CON TEST -ANY OF THE CHARGES AND COUNTERCHARGES FOCUSED ON -INDANAOqS REMOTE PROVINCE OF -AGUINDANAO THE DETAILS OF WHICH ILLUSTRATE COM PLEX INTERACTIONS BETWEEN THE ADMINISTRATION #/-%,%# AND LOCAL POWERHOLDERS )N THE RUN UP TO THE ELECTIONS EACH REGION OF THE COUNTRY WAS PUT UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF A PARTICULAR #/-%,%# COMMISSION ER "ENJAMIN !BALOS A POLITICAL ALLY OF THE &IRST 'ENTLEMAN WHO HAD BEEN APPOINTED #/-%,%# CHAIR IN ASSUMED INITIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE POLLS IN -INDANAO AND THEN PLACED KEY LIEUTENANTS IN STRATEGIC POSTS )N -AGUINDANAO HIS PROVINCIAL ELECTION SUPERVISOR WAS A WELL KNOWN PROTÈGÈ OF 'ARCILLANO WHO HAD MERITED FREQUENT MENTION IN THE r(ELLO 'ARCIs TAPES AND WAS LINKED TO SUSPICIOUSLY STRONG PRO !RROYO RESULTS IN THE ELECTION 7ITHOUT THE EFFECTIVE OVERSIGHT OF EITHER #/-%,%# OR ELECTION MONITORS WHO WERE BARRED FROM MANY LOCALI TIES -ACAPAGAL !RROYOqS POLITICAL ALLIES IN -AGUINDANAO WERE ABLE TO DELIVER A SWEEP TO HER 4EAM 5NITY SENATORIAL CANDIDATES 4HE KEY FIGURE IN SECURING THIS OUTCOME WAS 'OVERNOR !NDAL !MPATUAN WHO COMMANDS A SUBSTANTIAL PARAMILITARY FORCE AND HAS A REPUTATION FOR USING VIOLENCE AGAINST HIS POLITICAL ENEMIES r7HATEVER THE PRESIDENT WANTS HE WILL FOLLOW s SAID A FAMILY FRIEND TO .EWSBREAK r IS WHAT -AqAM WANTS s !MPATUAN IS NO DOUBT WELL REWARDED BY THE 0ALACE BUT SEEMINGLY CUTS DEALS FOR HIS OWN BENEFIT AS WELL !MONG THE 4EAM 5NITY HOPEFULS IT IS REPORTED THAT rTHE RANKING OF INDIVIDUAL CANDIDATES DEPENDED ON HOW MUCH THEY WOULD PAY UP s 2UMOR HAS IT THAT THE TOP SENATORIAL SLOT IN -AGUINDANAO WENT TO A NORTHERN ,UZON STRONGMAN FOR THE SUM OF MILLION PESOS 53 !SIDE FROM MONEY VIOLENCE IS ALSO A USEFUL TOOL FOR GAINING POLITI CAL POWER !CCORDING TO POLICE STATISTICS THERE WERE ELECTION RELAT ED KILLINGS IN MORE THAN DOUBLE THAT OF THE LAST GENERAL ELECTIONS IN )N THERE WERE ELECTION RELATED KILLINGS MARGINALLY MORE THAN THE PERSONS KILLED IN THE LAST MIDTERM ELECTIONS IN !CCORDING TO POLITICAL SCIENTIST *OEL 2OCAMORA THE HIGH STAKES OF THE POLITICAL GAME ENCOURAGE CANDIDATES TO USE WHATEVER MEANS POSSIBLE TO ACHIEVE VICTORY %LECTIONS PROVIDE THE FORMAL EXPRESSION OF LOCAL POLITICAL CONTESTS THAT HAVE HISTORICALLY BEEN MAINLY ABOUT WHO CONTROLS THE RESOURCES FROM THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT AND ILLEGAL ECONOMIC ACTIVITY 4HE CONTEST OVER CONTROL OF THESE ACTIVITIES GIVES A PREMIUM TO LEADERS WITH SKILLS IN MANIPULATING ILLEGALITY AND THE USES OF VIOLENCE
!T THE LEAST ONE CAN SAY THAT THE NATIONAL POLICE AND THE 0HILIPPINE ARMED FORCES ARE UNABLE TO SAFEGUARD THE ELECTORAL PROCESS FAR MORE
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DISTURBING IS WHEN THEIR COERCIVE POWER IS DEPLOYED IN FAVOR OF ONE CANDIDATE OVER ANOTHER !NOTHER ARMED FORCE THE COMMUNIST .ATIONAL 0EOPLEqS !RMY HAS USED ITS COERCIVE CAPACITY FOR A COMBINATION OF EN TREPRENEURIAL AND POLITICAL ENDS EXTORTING PERMIT TO CAMPAIGN FEES IN THE AREAS THAT IT CONTROLS OCCASIONALLY HIRING ITSELF OUT FOR INTRAELITE PO LITICAL ASSASSINATIONS AND INTIMIDATING RIVAL OPPONENTS ON THE LEFT 4HE ANALYSIS THUS FAR HAS FOCUSED ON THE CHALLENGES OF DEMOCRAT IC PROCESS IN PARTICULAR THE CONDUCT OF FREE FAIR AND SAFE ELECTIONS %QUALLY IMPORTANT IS THE CAPACITY OF A POLITICAL SYSTEM TO PROVIDE THE CITIZENRY WITH THE OPPORTUNITY FOR DEMOCRATIC OUTCOMES NOTABLY CLEAR CHOICES AMONG CONTENDING VIEWS AND PROGRAMS $EMOCRACY SHOULD AF TER ALL INVOLVE CITIZENS IN THEIR OWN GOVERNANCE 0HILIPPINE DEMOCRACY AS IT HAS DEVELOPED OVER THE PAST CENTURY HOWEVER PRIVILEGES PERSON ALITIES AND PATRONAGE OVER PARTIES AND PLATFORMS %LECTORAL VICTORY THUS FREQUENTLY INVOLVES PROMISING VOTERS SOME SHORT TERM GAIN WHETHER IT BE THE PURCHASE OF A VOTE OR THE PLEDGE TO CONSTRUCT A HEALTH CENTER ROAD OR NEIGHBORHOOD BASKETBALL COURT 4HIS PRODUCES HIGH COST POLITICSvCOSTLY IN MONETARY TERMS AND IN THE GROSS UNDERMINING OF THE DEMOCRATIC IDEAL 7HEN CANDIDATES BUY OR COERCE THEIR WAY INTO OFFICE THEY HAVE LITTLE REASON TO BE ACCOUNTABLE TO THE ELECTORATE 4HEIR ACCOUNTABILITY RATHER IS TO THOSE WHO HAVE FI NANCED THE PAST CAMPAIGN EFFORT AND TO THOSE WHO MIGHT BE CALLED UPON FOR ASSISTANCE DURING THE NEXT ELECTIONS !S 0HILIPPINE ELECTIONS HAVE BECOME INCREASINGLY COSTLY THEY HAVE ENCOURAGED POLITICIANS TO BECOME MORE CREATIVE IN RAISING FUNDS WHETHER THROUGH THE PROMISE OF LEGISLA TIVE AND REGULATORY FAVORS REAL ESTATE SCAMS INVOLVEMENT IN GAMBLING SYNDICATES OR LINKS TO DRUG LORDS AND THE UNDERWORLD )N A SURPRISINGLY CANDID MOMENT 3PEAKER DE 6ENECIA EXPLAINED THE SYSTEM r)TqS THE DRUG LORDS AND THE GAMBLING LORDS WHO FINANCE THE CANDIDATES 3O FROM $AY /NE THEY BECOME CORRUPT 3O THE WHOLE POLITICAL PROCESS IS ROTTEN s
0ROSPECTS FOR 0OLITICAL 2EFORM AND #HARTER #HANGE 4HE 0HILIPPINES HAS NOW HAD A LONGER STRETCH OF LIFE AFTER -ARCOS THAN LIFE UNDER -ARCOS !S THE POST -ARCOS ERA ENTERS ITS THIRD DECADE THE HIGH HOPES FOR DEMOCRACY VOICED IN THE MID S HAVE GIVEN WAY TO DISILLUSIONMENT WITH THE COUNTRYqS LOW QUALITY OF GOVERNANCE 0OLLS MEASURING OVERALL SATISFACTION WITH rTHE WAY DEMOCRACY WORKSs WERE IN THE RANGE OF TO PERCENT UNDER 2AMOS AND TO PERCENT UNDER %STRADA IN EACH CASE PEAKING AT PERCENT AFTER THEIR RESPECTIVE VICTORIES IN THE GENERAL ELECTIONS OF AND RESPECTIVELY 5NDER -ACAPAGAL !RROYO THE RANGE IS TO PERCENT PEAKING AT PER CENT IN THE WAKE OF THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS THAT BROUGHT OPPOSITION VICTORIES IN THE 3ENATE .O OTHER POST -ARCOS PRESIDENT HAS HAD LOWER
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APPROVAL RATINGS THAN -ACAPAGAL !RROYO WHO IS THE FIRST TO PLUNGE INTO NEGATIVE NUMBERS IN HER rNET SATISFACTION RATINGs PERCENT IN -AY IMPROVING TO PERCENT IN *UNE /NE MAJOR BRIGHT SPOT FOR -ACAPAGAL !RROYO HOWEVER HAS BEEN THE VERY RESPECTABLE ECONOMIC GROWTH RATES WHICH HAVE GAINED HER SUBSTANTIAL SUPPORT FROM ELEMENTS WITHIN THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY 4HE ADMINISTRATION CAN ALSO POINT WITH PRIDE TO RECENT PROGRESS IN PEACE NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE MAJOR -USLIM SECESSIONIST GROUP IN -INDANAO 4HESE IMPORTANT SUCCESSES NOTWITHSTANDING 0HILIPPINE DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS ARE NOT INSPIRING FAITH AMONG THE CITIZENRY )N THE MONTH PRIOR TO THE ELECTIONS PERCENT OF THOSE SURVEYED EXPECTED VOTE BUYING AND PERCENT ANTICIPATED CHEATING IN THE VOTE COUNT SUBSTAN TIALLY HIGHER PERCENTAGES THAN THOSE REGISTERED PRIOR TO THE AND ELECTIONS )N A SURVEY #/-%,%# WAS AMONG THE FOUR AGENCIES THAT THE PUBLIC RATED AS rVERY BADs IN TERMS OF rSINCERITY IN FIGHTING COR RUPTION s 4HERE HAVE LONG BEEN PROBLEMS AT #/-%,%# BUT THE LEVEL OF POLITICIZATION UNDER THE !RROYO GOVERNMENT IS PERCEIVED TO BE PAR TICULARLY GRAVE 3IMILAR STORIES CAN BE TOLD REGARDING THE DECLINE OF OTHER IMPORTANT POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS INCLUDING THE (OUSE OF 2EPRESENTATIVES CURRENTLY SUBORDINATED TO THE 0ALACE EVEN MORE THOROUGHLY THAN USUAL THE JUDICIARY WITH THE 3UPREME #OURT AN IMPORTANT AND ENCOURAGING EX CEPTION THE /FFICE OF THE /MBUDSMAN NOW HEADED BY THE PRESIDENTqS FORMER CHIEF LEGAL COUNSEL AND THE MILITARY RECALL THE USE OF MILITARY INTELLIGENCE FOR ELECTORAL PURPOSES DISCUSSED ABOVE -ANY BELIEVE THAT THE BEST WAY TO ADDRESS THIS DISILLUSIONMENT IS TO REFORM DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS "UT THOSE WHO ADVOCATE rPOLITICAL RE FORMs HAVE A RANGE OF IDEAS AS TO WHAT SHOULD BE CHANGED AND TO WHAT EXTENT AS WELL AS HOW TO ACCOMPLISH THE CHANGES 'IVEN CURRENT LEV ELS OF DISILLUSIONMENT SOME SUGGEST THAT WHATEVER POLITICAL SET UP THE 0HILIPPINES PRESENTLY HAS SHOULD BE DISCARDED )F THE COUNTRY IS CURRENTLY UNDER A PRESIDENTIAL SYSTEM IT SHOULD SHIFT TO PARLIAMENTARISM )F IT IS CURRENTLY UNITARY THEN FEDERALISM IS THE SOLUTION 4HE BIGGER THE CHANGE HOWEVER THE GREATER THE RISK OF UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES LEADING SOME TO CALL FOR WELL TARGETED INCREMENTAL RE FORMS INSTITUTED WITH PARTICULAR GOALS IN MIND ! CENTRAL OVERARCHING GOAL SHOULD BE THE FOSTERING OF STRONGER AND MORE PROGRAMMATIC POLITICAL PARTIES )N THESE PAGES NEARLY A DECADE AGO 'ABRIELA -ONTINOLA ARGUED THAT r;M=EANINGFUL SOCIAL CHANGE HAS BEEN INHIBITED BECAUSE POLITICAL PARTIES HAVE FAILED TO STRUCTURE POLITICAL COMPETITION TO ALLOW FOR THE REPRESENTATION OF THE INTERESTS OF THE POOR AND MARGINALIZED SECTORS s ! GOOD STARTING POINT WOULD BE SUCH MODEST ELECTORAL REFORMS AS PRE PRINTED BALLOTS A CONSOLIDATED TICKET FOR THE ELECTION OF PRESIDENTS AND VICE PRESIDENTS AND AN OPTION FOR STRAIGHT PARTY VOTING 4WO SOMEWHAT MORE AMBITIOUS ELECTORAL REFORMS ONE FOR THE 3ENATE AND ONE FOR THE (OUSE COULD HAVE MUCH GREATER IMPACT IN PROMOTING
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STRONGER PARTIES 4HE FIRST WOULD BE TO SCRAP THE CURRENT SYSTEM IN WHICH SENATORS ARE ELECTED FROM ONE NATIONWIDE DISTRICT THIS LEADS TO INTRA PARTY COMPETITION AND FORCES EACH CANDIDATE TO CUT HIS OR HER OWN DEALS WITH LOCAL POWERHOLDERS THROUGHOUT THE ARCHIPELAGO 4HE SECOND CHANGE WOULD BE TO ABOLISH THE CURRENT PARTY LIST SYSTEM THROUGH WHICH PERCENT OF THE Incremental measures of MEMBERS OF THE (OUSE ARE SELECTED 7HILE political reform rather MOST STANDARD PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTA than a wholesale shift TION SYSTEMS REQUIRE PARTIES TO ACHIEVE A to parliamentarism CERTAIN PERCENTAGE OF THE VOTE IN ORDER TO HAVE SEATS IN THE LEGISLATURE THE 0HILIPPINE or federalism seem to hold greater promise for PARTY LIST SYSTEM IS DISTINGUISHED BOTH BY A VERY LOW FLOOR PERCENT AND BY THE success. PRESENCE OF A CEILING )NCREDIBLY NO SIN GLE PARTY IS PERMITTED TO HAVE MORE THAN THREE SEATS IN THE LEGISLATURE 4HIS ENTIRELY UNDERMINES THE GOAL OF AGGRE GATING INTERESTS UNDER ONE PARTY LABEL &OLLOWING THE EXAMPLE OF *APAN AND 3OUTH +OREA THE 0HILIPPINES COULD CONSIDER ADOPTING A MIXED SYS TEM INVOLVING BOTH SINGLE MEMBER DISTRICT SEATS AND SOME ELEMENT OF A MORE STANDARD PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION SYSTEM !NOTHER WELL TARGETED REFORM MORE RELEVANT TO PROCESS THAN TO OUT COMES RELATES TO ELECTORAL ADMINISTRATION #/-%,%# SHOULD BE RE STRUCTURED FROM TOP TO BOTTOMvFROM ITS CENTRAL OFFICE IN -ANILA TO ITS EXTENSIVE NATIONWIDE FIELD STRUCTUREvIN ORDER TO DEVELOP THE CAPACITY TO MAINTAIN ACCURATE LISTS OF VOTERS AND EXECUTE AN ACCURATE AND EXPE DITIOUS VOTE COUNT !LLEGATIONS OF ELECTION FRAUD INVOLVING POLITICIANS AND #/-%,%# OFFICIALS NEED TO BE INVESTIGATED BY INDEPENDENT PROS ECUTORS WILLING AND ABLE TO PRESS CHARGES FOR WRONGDOING 4HE PERFECT OPPORTUNITY FOR LEADERSHIP CHANGE COMES IN EARLY AS #/-%,%# CHAIR "ENJAMIN !BALOS STEPS DOWN IN THE WAKE OF BRIBERY CHARGES AND THREE ADDITIONAL SLOTS ON THE SEVEN MEMBER NATIONAL COMMISSION WILL ALSO NEED TO BE FILLED !S A PRACTICAL MATTER INCREMENTAL MEASURES OF POLITICAL REFORM RATH ER THAN A WHOLESALE SHIFT TO PARLIAMENTARISM OR FEDERALISM SEEM TO HOLD GREATER PROMISE FOR SUCCESS )N RESPONSE TO THE TWO LATE BRIBERY SCANDALS THE 0ALACE DUSTED OFF PROPOSALS FOR CHARTER CHANGE IN YET AN OTHER ATTEMPT TO CHANGE THE TOPIC TO POLITICAL REFORM 3UCH PATENT PO LITICAL OPPORTUNISM HAS TURNED MUCH OF THE PUBLIC AGAINST THE IDEA OF CONSTITUTIONAL REVISION !FTER HIS ATTEMPTS WERE SPURNED IN LATE EVEN 3PEAKER DE 6ENECIA NOW SEEKS A MORATORIUM ON CHARTER CHANGE 3ENATORS CONTINUE TO OPPOSE THE ABOLITION OF THEIR CHAMBER AND ONE CAN PRESUME THAT THE FIVE SENATORS CONSIDERING BIDS FOR THE PRESIDENCY IN ARE PARTICULARLY AVERSE TO THE PARLIAMENTARY OPTION #ONSIDERING THESE FACTORS THERE IS UNLIKELY TO BE RENEWED MOMENTUM FOR SWEEPING CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGES UNTIL AFTER THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS
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)N THE MEANTIME DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS IN THE 0HILIPPINES CONTINUE TO BE UNDER MAJOR STRESS &OR SOME DEMOCRACY HAS LOST ITS APPEAL AND MILITARY INTERVENTION HAS BECOME AN ATTRACTIVE OPTION 4HOSE WHO WANT TO SEE THE PERPETUATION OF CIVILIAN DEMOCRATIC STRUCTURES MIGHT DRAW SOME COMFORT FROM THE REFLECTION THAT THE 0HILIPPINE MILITARY HAS NEVER LAUNCHED A SUCCESSFUL GRAB FOR POWER DESPITE MANY ATTEMPTS 'IVEN THE CURRENT WEAKNESS OF POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS HOWEVER IT WOULD BE A MIS TAKE TO DISMISS THE POSSIBILITY OF A COUP !FTER ALL THE ODDS THAT SUCH AN ATTEMPT MIGHT SUCCEED DEPEND NOT ONLY ON THE CAPABILITY OF A GROUP OF DISGRUNTLED SOLDIERS BUT ALSO UPON THE NATURE OF THE POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS THAT ARE BEING TARGETED !LTHOUGH THE 0HILIPPINES CAN BOAST THE OLDEST DEMOCRATIC STRUCTURES IN !SIA THEY ARE CURRENTLY WEAK AND LACKING IN LEGITIMACY "ATTERED BY SCANDAL AFTER SCANDAL THESE STRUCTURES NEED CAREFUL AND WELL CONSID ERED REFORM IF THEY ARE TO SURVIVE 7ITH PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO THE GOAL OF STRENGTHENING POLITICAL PARTIES IT IS IMPORTANT TO BUILD A DEMOCRACY THAT CAN OVERCOME ITS HISTORICAL SHORTCOMINGS AND BEGIN TO DEMONSTRATE RESPONSIVENESS NOT JUST TO THE PRIVILEGED FEW BUT TO THE CITIZENRY AS A WHOLE ./4%3 4HANKS TO #LEO #ALIMBAHIN 3HEILA #ORONEL *OSE ,UIS 'ASCON AND *OEL 2OCAMORA FOR OF FERING VALUABLE COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS !NY ERRORS OR OMISSIONS ARE MINE ALONE &OR A MORE DETAILED STUDY SEE 0AUL $ (UTCHCROFT AND *OEL 2OCAMORA r3TRONG $EMANDS AND 7EAK )NSTITUTIONS 4HE /RIGINS AND %VOLUTION OF THE $EMOCRATIC $EFICIT IN THE 0HILIPPINES s *OURNAL OF %AST !SIAN 3TUDIES -AYu!UGUST u "ENEDICT !NDERSON r#ACIQUE $EMOCRACY AND THE 0HILIPPINES /RIGINS AND $REAMS s .EW ,EFT 2EVIEW -AYu*UNE u 4HE CURRENT EXEMPLARS ARE THE 0HILIPPINE #ENTER FOR )NVESTIGATIVE *OURNALISM 0#)* AND .EWSBREAK MAGAZINE .ATHAN 'ILBERT 1UIMPO r4HE ,EFT %LECTIONS AND THE 0OLITICAL 0ARTY 3YSTEM IN THE 0HILIPPINES s #RITICAL !SIAN 3TUDIES -ARCH u "ANTAY %LEKSYON 0EOPLEqS #OALITION TO -ONITOR THE %LECTIONS r&INAL 2EPORT ON THE %LECTIONS s WWW IPER ORG PH #%2 BANTAYELEKSYON REPORTS FINAL REPORT ELECTION HTML 2OBERTO 6ERZOLA r4HE 4RUE 2ESULTS OF THE 0HILIPPINE 0RESIDENTIAL %LECTION "ASED ON THE .!-&2%, 4ALLY s +ASARINLAN 0HILIPPINE *OURNAL OF 4HIRD 7ORLD 3TUDIES 6OL .O u &OR A BRIEF SUMMARY OF CORRUPTION CHARGES AGAINST THE 0ALACE SEE r3HAME AND 3CANDAL IN THE &AMILY s r4HE 1UEENSq 'AMBIT s SPECIAL EDITION I 2EPORT 1UEZON #ITY 0HILIPPINES *ULY u 4HE r'LORIA 'ARCILLANOs TAPES CAN BE HEARD AT HTTP PCIJ ORG BLOG WP FILES TAPES PHP TRANSCRIPTIONS FROM ONE KEY TAPE ARE PRINTED IN r4HE 1UEENSq 'AMBIT s u 3EE 3HEILA 3 #ORONEL r4HE 5NMAKING OF A 0RESIDENT s IN r4HE 1UEENSq 'AMBIT s u
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