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To stand a chance, the fight against corruption must be of, for and by the people (and this will require a Charter Change)
By: Joy Aceron
By: Joy Aceron
Making Elections an Accountability Platform (MEAP) 2025
Elections have shown serious weaknesses in holding power to account and in enabling societies to identify leaders well qualified to address crucial issues and problems affecting the people. Yet, elections continue to be a necessary democratic exercise for lack of a viable alternative in collectively deciding on who to rule.
Elections have shown serious weaknesses in holding power to account and in enabling societies to identify leaders well qualified to address crucial issues and problems affecting the people. Yet, elections continue to be a necessary democratic exercise for lack of a viable alternative in collectively deciding on who to rule.
FactCheck 2022 - Making Elections an Accountability Platform
G-Watch views the upcoming polls in 2022 as an extremely important terrain that has to be engaged, and that would complement other accountability efforts that are being undertaken before, after and beyond elections.
G-Watch views the upcoming polls in 2022 as an extremely important terrain that has to be engaged, and that would complement other accountability efforts that are being undertaken before, after and beyond elections.
Toward an ‘Ecosystemic’ Approach to Voters’ Education
This paper, the 7th issue of TPA Now!, examines the dilemma in the Philippines of having prevalent voters’ education efforts, on one hand and persisting flawed electoral culture, on the other hand. It does so by reviewing the approaches adopted by previous voters’ education campaigns to offer a possible alternative approach, an ‘ecosystemic approach,’ that could better empower Filipino voters by turning elections into an accountability platform.
This paper, the 7th issue of TPA Now!, examines the dilemma in the Philippines of having prevalent voters’ education efforts, on one hand and persisting flawed electoral culture, on the other hand. It does so by reviewing the approaches adopted by previous voters’ education campaigns to offer a possible alternative approach, an ‘ecosystemic approach,’ that could better empower Filipino voters by turning elections into an accountability platform.
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
Notes on Chantal Mouffe's Lecture ‘Linker Populismus’
By Francis Isaac, Government Watch (G-Watch) SO36 is a large music bar in Berlin’s Kreuzberg district, known for hosting punk rock concerts and has been a fixture of Germany’s counter-cultural scene for the past four decades. But on the evening of 3 October 2018, this rebel hangout (that once featured Iggy Pop and David Bowie) was converted into a lecture hall that could accommodate close to three hundred people.
By Francis Isaac, Government Watch (G-Watch) SO36 is a large music bar in Berlin’s Kreuzberg district, known for hosting punk rock concerts and has been a fixture of Germany’s counter-cultural scene for the past four decades. But on the evening of 3 October 2018, this rebel hangout (that once featured Iggy Pop and David Bowie) was converted into a lecture hall that could accommodate close to three hundred people.
What does party-switching mean?
In the Philippines, party-switching means nothing. It is as normal for politicians as changing clothes. It is more regular than legislators attending congressional hearings. Yoko Kasuya in the book "Presidential Bandwagon" attributes party-switching to the need for politicians to align themselves with the president, who ultimately controls the budget. The ability of legislators to bring projects and services to their constituencies determine their chances of winning the elections because, by and large, patronage determines voters' vote.
In the Philippines, party-switching means nothing. It is as normal for politicians as changing clothes. It is more regular than legislators attending congressional hearings. Yoko Kasuya in the book "Presidential Bandwagon" attributes party-switching to the need for politicians to align themselves with the president, who ultimately controls the budget. The ability of legislators to bring projects and services to their constituencies determine their chances of winning the elections because, by and large, patronage determines voters' vote.
That thing called resignation
There’s a little known anecdote about Professor Walden Bello. Before joining Congress, he had a long academic stint at the University of the Philippines (UP) teaching sociology and public administration. One night, while he was with his graduate students, he suddenly blurted out in the middle of his lecture, “As my students, I expect all of you to withstand any amount of intellectual punishment possible.”
There’s a little known anecdote about Professor Walden Bello. Before joining Congress, he had a long academic stint at the University of the Philippines (UP) teaching sociology and public administration. One night, while he was with his graduate students, he suddenly blurted out in the middle of his lecture, “As my students, I expect all of you to withstand any amount of intellectual punishment possible.”
Agenda For Hope
Building on the basics The Filipino process of nation-building is far from complete. National political elites have disappointed many for their abuses and their failure to deliver good results that are felt on the ground. It is perhaps for this reason that reformers have increasingly relied on local governments and citizen groups to deliver the needed basic services. These, for their part, have yielded significant results, and have often created "best practices" that are lauded both here in the Philippine and abroad.
Building on the basics The Filipino process of nation-building is far from complete. National political elites have disappointed many for their abuses and their failure to deliver good results that are felt on the ground. It is perhaps for this reason that reformers have increasingly relied on local governments and citizen groups to deliver the needed basic services. These, for their part, have yielded significant results, and have often created "best practices" that are lauded both here in the Philippine and abroad.
Justice in Maguindanao, Justice for All
Violence in elections is a paradox. Election is supposed to be a peaceful means to resolve contestation for power, yet in the Philippines it has become a reason for the use of violence. It is supposed to be a means for consensus and to uphold the democratic rights of citizens to participate directly in governance, however in our country it has sowed fear and divisiveness and resulted in violation of human rights.
Violence in elections is a paradox. Election is supposed to be a peaceful means to resolve contestation for power, yet in the Philippines it has become a reason for the use of violence. It is supposed to be a means for consensus and to uphold the democratic rights of citizens to participate directly in governance, however in our country it has sowed fear and divisiveness and resulted in violation of human rights.
Coalition of Convenience
The coming together of political parties is often received with cynicism and apprehension by most Filipinos. This is viewed as nothing but actions of convenience by politicians to win elections, devoid of ideals and principles. Worse, it is assumed that the forming of coalitions involves the use of public resources as concessions to advance private partisan gains. Such is an unfortunate take of majority on coalitional politics.
The coming together of political parties is often received with cynicism and apprehension by most Filipinos. This is viewed as nothing but actions of convenience by politicians to win elections, devoid of ideals and principles. Worse, it is assumed that the forming of coalitions involves the use of public resources as concessions to advance private partisan gains. Such is an unfortunate take of majority on coalitional politics.
Ateneo FactCheck 2013/ PODER Rapid Assessment of the 2013 Elections
Release 2 (16 May 2013). Version 2 General Conduct of Elections While generally peaceful and credible, there are setbacks in the conduct of the 2013 elections that require attention.
Release 2 (16 May 2013). Version 2 General Conduct of Elections While generally peaceful and credible, there are setbacks in the conduct of the 2013 elections that require attention.
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.
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.
To Cement "Daang Matuwid," We Need Party Reforms, FOI and Anti-Dynasty Law
To Cement "Daang Matuwid," We Need Party System Reform, 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.
To Cement "Daang Matuwid," We Need Party System Reform, 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.
How to Win an Election: Lessons from the Experts
The 2nd edition of How to Win an Election: Lessons from the Experts was also produced by the same team who made the 1st edition and still with collaboration of the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS). Aside from new features, this latest edition presents updated stories of former Governor Josie dela Cruz of Bulacan, Mayor Jesse Robredo of Naga City and Governor Grace Padaca of Isabela, all of whom have lead successful campaigns in the 2007 elections. This book is available in hardcopy at the Ateneo School of Government.
The 2nd edition of How to Win an Election: Lessons from the Experts was also produced by the same team who made the 1st edition and still with collaboration of the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS). Aside from new features, this latest edition presents updated stories of former Governor Josie dela Cruz of Bulacan, Mayor Jesse Robredo of Naga City and Governor Grace Padaca of Isabela, all of whom have lead successful campaigns in the 2007 elections. This book is available in hardcopy at the Ateneo School of Government.
Southern Leyte candidates promise agriculture, fisheries reforms
MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte – Agriculture and fisheries were the top topics discussed in a forum at the Integrated Terminal in Maasin City on April 29. The forum was attended by Liberal Party bets, mainly members of the influential Mercado clan, and candidates from United Nationalist Alliance (UNA). Southern Leyte’s main sources of livelihood include coconut and abaca production and fishing.
MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte – Agriculture and fisheries were the top topics discussed in a forum at the Integrated Terminal in Maasin City on April 29. The forum was attended by Liberal Party bets, mainly members of the influential Mercado clan, and candidates from United Nationalist Alliance (UNA). Southern Leyte’s main sources of livelihood include coconut and abaca production and fishing.
It’s the (Non-) System, Stupid! Explaining ‘Mal-development’ of Parties in the Philippines
This chapter will search for an aspect of political parties that: can explain the mal-development of party politics in the country; and can provide a feasible point of reference for party reform measures. It studies the current system (or the institutional-legal context within which parties operate), to explain the behaviors that the system elicits given its characteristics and features. Embedded in these laws and institutions are power relations that are then perpetuated by the state of politics and the existing political culture.
This chapter will search for an aspect of political parties that: can explain the mal-development of party politics in the country; and can provide a feasible point of reference for party reform measures. It studies the current system (or the institutional-legal context within which parties operate), to explain the behaviors that the system elicits given its characteristics and features. Embedded in these laws and institutions are power relations that are then perpetuated by the state of politics and the existing political culture.
Perspectives of the Reform-Minded on the Political Party Reform Legislation
This paper aims to put together the thinking, discussions and debates of the reform-minded societal groups on the proposed Political Party Reform Bill based on the activities initiated by the Ateneo School of Government (ASoG) with support from the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung in the Philippines. It is a way of summarizing the discussion and debates that the said proposed legislation had ensued among circles of reform-oriented groups and formations. In particular, this paper presents the following:
This paper aims to put together the thinking, discussions and debates of the reform-minded societal groups on the proposed Political Party Reform Bill based on the activities initiated by the Ateneo School of Government (ASoG) with support from the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung in the Philippines. It is a way of summarizing the discussion and debates that the said proposed legislation had ensued among circles of reform-oriented groups and formations. In particular, this paper presents the following:
Democratizing Election through Campaign Finance Reforms
A book chapter that discusses one of the challenges to Philippine democracy – poorly regulated campaign finance – highlighting the importance of making elections inclusive and democratic by making them competitive and fair.
A book chapter that discusses one of the challenges to Philippine democracy – poorly regulated campaign finance – highlighting the importance of making elections inclusive and democratic by making them competitive and fair.