The Generals’ Gambit: The Military and Democratic Erosion in Duterte’s Philippines Opinion From its bloody war on drugs to its fight against terrorism and the lingering communist insurgency, the Duterte administration has exhibited a steadfast resolve to address the Philippines’ security challenges. One striking observation is its heavy dependence on the armed forces to accomplish its security goals, albeit at great cost to the nation’s democracy. By Aries Arugay
Dynastic Appeal Article Political dynasties are not the sole clutch of the Philippines. In Southeast Asia alone, there are many examples of dynastic entrenchments in society — from monarchies to the informal designation of political bailiwicks. Cultural conditioning portrays running the government, overseeing the economy, or being an emblem of the nation as tasks that demand the so-called familial touch. This explains why these political dynasties inspire confidence in some people and trigger exasperation in others. By Jose Santos P. Ardivilla
With the Conviction of Maria Ressa, Filipino Journalists Are Extra Watchful Article The recent conviction of Rappler’s CEO Maria Ressa and former researcher Reynaldo Santos Jr. of cyber-libel by a Manila court, did not surprise the Philippine media, which have remained on the crosshairs of Rodrigo Duterte’s wrath ever since he became the country’s president in 2016. By Ma. Diosa Labiste
ABS-CBN Struggles to Stay as 'Kapamilya Forever' Article The recent shutdown of broadcast giant ABS-CBN is but one of the pieces of mounting evidence—arguably the most damning—of how fragile the state of media freedom in the Philippines has become under President Rodrigo Duterte. By Yvonne T. Chua
Philippines: Banning Single-Use Plastics at the National Level and Strengthening Existing Laws Needed to Curb Plastic Pollution Crisis Article Single-use plastics have been in the spotlight for the past years because of its impact on our environment. It pollutes throughout its lifecycle beginning from extraction, refining, and ending in their disposal in the oceans and waterways, soil, and in the air we breathe through burning or incineration. In fact, it does not only impact our environment but also our health, livelihoods, food and wildlife. Further, plastics do not biodegrade. Instead they slowly break down into smaller pieces of plastic called microplastics. By Jed Alegado
The 2019 Philippine Elections: Consolidating Power in an Eroding Democracy Article The outcome of the 2019 midterm elections in the Philippines displayed the domineering political influence of President Rodrigo Duterte, a crowded-out opposition, and the limits of his promise for genuine and meaningful socio-political change. By Aries Arugay
Vulnerable Country Approaches to Urgent Climate Policy Development Article Vulnerable countries should use the current period to more rapidly bake-in implications of the climate crisis in economy-wide development metrics and plans. They must do so in ways that reflect national priorities and which enable country development strategies even as they sustain and intensify demands for developed countries to deliver climate finance obligations based on the speed and scale of vulnerable country needs rather than random rich country yardsticks. By Renato Redentor Constantino
Human Rights Against Populism: A Progressive Response to the Politics of Duterte and Mahathir Article As the world celebrates the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) in 2018–2019, the region of Southeast Asia highlights two compelling political phenomena: the emergent ‘authoritarian populism’ of Rodrigo Duterte in the Philippines and the return to the ‘Asian Values’ of Mahathir Mohamad in Malaysia. By Bonn Juego
Eroding Institutions and Exploiting Resentments: Populism in the Philippines and Southeast Asia In recent years, voters have increasingly chosen populist leaders from the left and from the right. An increasing number of elected populist leaders can be found in countries with long democratic traditions and history. It might be less surprising to find populist leaders in countries that are purportedly democratic but without necessarily having strong liberal democratic traditions. By Cleo Calimbahin
New Perspectives on Civil Society Engagement with ASEAN The eleven-year experience of engagement with the official ASEAN process has taught civil society movements in Southeast Asia valuable lessons that should guide its future trajectories. Disappointment, rejection, and disillusionment should now be a thing of the past and chalked up to experience. The real challenge facing ACSC/APF today lies from outside and beyond the established ASEAN process. By Eduardo C. Tadem
