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G-Watch Convenor-Director Delivers Lecture on Inclusive Policymaking to Asian Parliamentarians and Party Leaders
Government Watch (G-Watch) Convenor-Director and Accountability Research Center (ARC) Researcher-Adviser Joy Aceron delivered an online lecture on inclusive policymaking to 32 parliamentarians, party leaders and youth activists from India, Indonesia, Nepal, Timor Leste and the Philippines. The lecture was held on 22 May 2021 and was organized by the Network for Social Democracy in Asia (Socdem Asia) under its Academy of Progressive Politics (APP).
Government Watch (G-Watch) Convenor-Director and Accountability Research Center (ARC) Researcher-Adviser Joy Aceron delivered an online lecture on inclusive policymaking to 32 parliamentarians, party leaders and youth activists from India, Indonesia, Nepal, Timor Leste and the Philippines. The lecture was held on 22 May 2021 and was organized by the Network for Social Democracy in Asia (Socdem Asia) under its Academy of Progressive Politics (APP).
My List of the Good and Worse about the 2019 Philippine Elections
By Joy Aceron* Overall, huge reasons to be worried and disappointed about, with little positive to hold on to. Good: 7
By Joy Aceron* Overall, huge reasons to be worried and disappointed about, with little positive to hold on to. Good: 7
Implications of the Recent Philippine Supreme Court Decision on Accountability
By: Joy Aceron* The removal of Supreme Court Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno from office is a serious blow to accountability. Sereno has been one of those calling out the abuses of the Duterte government. In doing so, the President has singled her out, like he did opposition Senator Leila de Lima, who is now in jail.
By: Joy Aceron* The removal of Supreme Court Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno from office is a serious blow to accountability. Sereno has been one of those calling out the abuses of the Duterte government. In doing so, the President has singled her out, like he did opposition Senator Leila de Lima, who is now in jail.
The gaps in the Supreme Court’s DAP ruling
“Mahirap pong maintindihan ang desisyon n'yo (It’s hard to understand your decision),” President Noynoy Aquino said in his speech on July 14, referring to the Supreme Court (SC) decision on the DAP. What makes the SC ruling hard to understand? Below are 4 gaps that left critical questions hanging and issues unresolved on the DAP controversy. This is how the decision could be wanting for non-lawyers.
“Mahirap pong maintindihan ang desisyon n'yo (It’s hard to understand your decision),” President Noynoy Aquino said in his speech on July 14, referring to the Supreme Court (SC) decision on the DAP. What makes the SC ruling hard to understand? Below are 4 gaps that left critical questions hanging and issues unresolved on the DAP controversy. This is how the decision could be wanting for non-lawyers.
Briefly, On Political Dynasty
Both our studies on election-related violence and political party performance and stability point to problems and complications of political dynasty. Warlordistic political dynasties are found to be one of the strongest enabling factors for election-related violence due to breakdown of accountability in a situation of political monopoly. Meanwhile, political families have become the main vehicle to secure public posts because of weak political parties.
Both our studies on election-related violence and political party performance and stability point to problems and complications of political dynasty. Warlordistic political dynasties are found to be one of the strongest enabling factors for election-related violence due to breakdown of accountability in a situation of political monopoly. Meanwhile, political families have become the main vehicle to secure public posts because of weak political parties.
10 Ways Forward to Totally Dismantle Pork
The 26 August people's march in Luneta shows there is an undeniably strong clamor from the people for the pork barrel system to be abolished. People understand how the pork cripples accountability in the political system and corrupts people's money. People are indignant. Assuming people who marched in Luneta will continue to act strongly to pursue what they loudly call for during the 26 August march, what next actions and steps can be taken? What should be the post-26 August march scenarios that will totally dismantle the pork system?
The 26 August people's march in Luneta shows there is an undeniably strong clamor from the people for the pork barrel system to be abolished. People understand how the pork cripples accountability in the political system and corrupts people's money. People are indignant. Assuming people who marched in Luneta will continue to act strongly to pursue what they loudly call for during the 26 August march, what next actions and steps can be taken? What should be the post-26 August march scenarios that will totally dismantle the pork system?
Pork as an Institutional Crisis
In the continuing debate on the pork barrel issue, the direction of the discussion seems to be now moving towards finger-pointing--differentiating the good crooks from the bad, pinpointing which official actions are partisan and which are not, accusing all of being guilty, with some guiltier than others. As some would put it, systemic as it is, all those who were and are part of that system is, one way or another, guilty of using the pork barrel system to perpetuate one's narrow political interests.
In the continuing debate on the pork barrel issue, the direction of the discussion seems to be now moving towards finger-pointing--differentiating the good crooks from the bad, pinpointing which official actions are partisan and which are not, accusing all of being guilty, with some guiltier than others. As some would put it, systemic as it is, all those who were and are part of that system is, one way or another, guilty of using the pork barrel system to perpetuate one's narrow political interests.
Why We Should Pursue Charter Change
This year, the 1987 Constitution turns 27 years old. Influenced by our colonial past and crafted during the aftermath of the Marcos dictatorship, the present charter has never been amended. There is a popular opinion that an enduring Constitution provides political stability. Not necessarily!
This year, the 1987 Constitution turns 27 years old. Influenced by our colonial past and crafted during the aftermath of the Marcos dictatorship, the present charter has never been amended. There is a popular opinion that an enduring Constitution provides political stability. Not necessarily!
ChaCha As a Common Project
I looked up again the report from the interview of the president where he said he is open to charter change. Below are the direct quotes from the president cited in the report. "Bago nito, bago nangyari lahat ng ito, sarado....aminado ako." "Pero ngayon, napapag-isip ako talaga... yung tinatawag na judicial reach." "And in fact in the 1987 Charter's martial law provision, any citizen may petition the SC as to the factual basis for the imposition of martial law," "Ang problema lang ngayon, may nagtatanong, sobra ba?"
I looked up again the report from the interview of the president where he said he is open to charter change. Below are the direct quotes from the president cited in the report. "Bago nito, bago nangyari lahat ng ito, sarado....aminado ako." "Pero ngayon, napapag-isip ako talaga... yung tinatawag na judicial reach." "And in fact in the 1987 Charter's martial law provision, any citizen may petition the SC as to the factual basis for the imposition of martial law," "Ang problema lang ngayon, may nagtatanong, sobra ba?"
The 1987 Constitution: To Change or Not to Change?
Twenty-five years after its ratification, the 1987 Constitution has survived serious attempts to change it during the presidencies of Fidel Ramos, Joseph Estrada, and Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. What were the reasons for the attempts and why did they fail? For persons and organizations with valid reasons to explore Charter Change, what are the available options? What is a systematic way to explore and pursue it? These are some of the questions this book examines and answers. This book is available on selected bookstores.
Twenty-five years after its ratification, the 1987 Constitution has survived serious attempts to change it during the presidencies of Fidel Ramos, Joseph Estrada, and Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. What were the reasons for the attempts and why did they fail? For persons and organizations with valid reasons to explore Charter Change, what are the available options? What is a systematic way to explore and pursue it? These are some of the questions this book examines and answers. This book is available on selected bookstores.
Ways and Means of Moving Forward: A Seminar on Constitutional Change
This provides full transcription of the high-profile seminar on charter change in 2008.
This provides full transcription of the high-profile seminar on charter change in 2008.
Islam and the Shari’a in a Proposed Bangsamoro Federal Islamic State
This paper argues that Islamic tradition can permit a Bangsamoro Federal Islamic State within a secular democratic system. The Institutional Reform Paper Series presents perspectives on re-examining the institutional arrangements of the country, with topics identified from a landscape and spectrum of different issues that kept on popping out in constitutional debates and some controversies.
This paper argues that Islamic tradition can permit a Bangsamoro Federal Islamic State within a secular democratic system. The Institutional Reform Paper Series presents perspectives on re-examining the institutional arrangements of the country, with topics identified from a landscape and spectrum of different issues that kept on popping out in constitutional debates and some controversies.
Initiating Change? People’s Initiative as a Mode of Changing the 1987 Constitution (Draft)
This paper explores the pros and cons of a people’s initiative, by revisiting the attempts of PIRMA and Sigaw ng Bayan, and examining the barriers to making it operational and applicable. The Institutional Reform Paper Series presents perspectives on re-examining the institutional arrangements of the country, with topics identified from a landscape and spectrum of different issues that kept on popping out in constitutional debates and some controversies.
This paper explores the pros and cons of a people’s initiative, by revisiting the attempts of PIRMA and Sigaw ng Bayan, and examining the barriers to making it operational and applicable. The Institutional Reform Paper Series presents perspectives on re-examining the institutional arrangements of the country, with topics identified from a landscape and spectrum of different issues that kept on popping out in constitutional debates and some controversies.
Globalized Services: Towards Liberalization of Professional and Educational Services in the Philippines
This paper is espousing that liberalization of professional and educational services will enhance economic competitiveness of the country in medium to long terms. The Institutional Reform Paper Series presents perspectives on re-examining the institutional arrangements of the country, with topics identified from a landscape and spectrum of different issues that kept on popping out in constitutional debates and some controversies.
This paper is espousing that liberalization of professional and educational services will enhance economic competitiveness of the country in medium to long terms. The Institutional Reform Paper Series presents perspectives on re-examining the institutional arrangements of the country, with topics identified from a landscape and spectrum of different issues that kept on popping out in constitutional debates and some controversies.
Are Two Better Than One? Revisiting Philippine Bicameralism
This paper offers more assurance of legislative oversight in a soft state with a tendency towards heavy-handed presidency. The Institutional Reform Paper Series presents perspectives on re-examining the institutional arrangements of the country, with topics identified from a landscape and spectrum of different issues that kept on popping out in constitutional debates and some controversies.
This paper offers more assurance of legislative oversight in a soft state with a tendency towards heavy-handed presidency. The Institutional Reform Paper Series presents perspectives on re-examining the institutional arrangements of the country, with topics identified from a landscape and spectrum of different issues that kept on popping out in constitutional debates and some controversies.
Extraordinary Measures: Constitutional Powers in Times of Crisis
This paper reviews the recourse to emergency powers by four presidencies and examining the intended and unintended consequences. The Institutional Reform Paper Series presents perspectives on re-examining the institutional arrangements of the country, with topics identified from a landscape and spectrum of different issues that kept on popping out in constitutional debates and some controversies.
This paper reviews the recourse to emergency powers by four presidencies and examining the intended and unintended consequences. The Institutional Reform Paper Series presents perspectives on re-examining the institutional arrangements of the country, with topics identified from a landscape and spectrum of different issues that kept on popping out in constitutional debates and some controversies.
Digital Convergence: An Argument for Constitutional Reform
This paper explains the significance of digital convergence to poor countries. It offers a measure to address the insufficiency of the institutional environment to keep up with the convergence process, to clarify policy ambiguities pertaining to the rules of competition and interconnection. The Institutional Reform Paper Series presents perspectives on re-examining the institutional arrangements of the country, with topics identified from a landscape and spectrum of different issues that kept on popping out in constitutional debates and some controversies.
This paper explains the significance of digital convergence to poor countries. It offers a measure to address the insufficiency of the institutional environment to keep up with the convergence process, to clarify policy ambiguities pertaining to the rules of competition and interconnection. The Institutional Reform Paper Series presents perspectives on re-examining the institutional arrangements of the country, with topics identified from a landscape and spectrum of different issues that kept on popping out in constitutional debates and some controversies.