ForwardBrowse Think Pieces and other opinion articles published on G-Watch as well as other websites.
Making sense of Digong Duterte
If we are to elect Duterte to the presidency, we must first ask ourselves: how different is present-day Philippines from Davao City of the 1980s?
The Importance of Society in the Politics of Change
The society shares with the state that search for collective or general rationality. The state has institutional mechanisms such as elections, the courts and the executive and legislative policy-making to determine the collective/ legitimate reason. The society has the more fluid and unstructured means of discourses, dialogues and interactions. This makes it conducive for innovative, integration and in-depth analysis and discourses, where progression happens.
To Cement "Daang Matuwid," We Need Party Reforms, FOI and Anti-Dynasty Law
For "Daang Matuwid" to be sustained, expanded and deepened, good governance has to become a norm; good governance practices must become common, not mere islands and best practices up for awards. Political party reforms, Freedom of Information (FoI) and the anti-dynasty law are mechanisms that will make "Daang Matuwid" a norm that will bring about change that can be felt by ordinary citizens.
Quo Vadis, Citizen Participation? Introduction to the Conference-Workshop
This conference-workshop is meant to start putting the citizens and civil society at the center, not mere expectators and recipients of policies and services - but as active actors pivotal in direction-/ agenda-setting and in leading this country to a better future.
Puerto Princesa and the recall paradox
There could be times when instead of speaking truth to power, an accountability mechanism becomes a tool of the powerful to constrain governance
That thing called resignation
His resignation shows how a person can reconcile the tension between his individual political disposition with his responsibility to a cause, a collective or a party
Bangsamoro as a "New Unity"
The Philippines as a nation-state will be strengthened with the proposed Bangsamoro solution. A nation-state is weakened whenever its monopoly over the use of legitimate violence is threatened by an armed rebellion; it is strengthened when it ends the rebellion through peace.
Strengthening Accountability to Sustain Reform
Accountability is achieved and sustained by creating and strengthening institutions. Institutions are strengthened through accountability efforts and practices.
PNoy, Walden Bello and Constructive Criticism
In a democracy where public office is a public trust and where power emanates from the people, getting feedback on how government exercises its power from everywhere, anytime is a given. In fact, it is encouraged. Government is expected to respond and its response is expected to make it more efficient and effective.
Infusing Dignity in Politics through Electoral Reform
We have advanced on so many governance reforms under the current administration, the reform of the most basic requirement of democracy, elections, continues to lag behind.