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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.
TPA Now! Rebooting Accountability: An Introduction to the TPA Now! Paper Series
The challenge of transformative impact of transparency, participation and accountability (TPA) initiatives points to the need for a different way of doing accountability. To advance the discourse and practice of ‘strategic TPA,’ Government Watch (G-Watch), in partnership with Accountability Research Center (ARC), launches TPA Now!
The challenge of transformative impact of transparency, participation and accountability (TPA) initiatives points to the need for a different way of doing accountability. To advance the discourse and practice of ‘strategic TPA,’ Government Watch (G-Watch), in partnership with Accountability Research Center (ARC), launches TPA Now!
Does the PNP View Ordinary Filipinos as the Enemy?
At around 11 in the morning of July 27, two officers from the Manila Police District (MPD) entered the nave of the Quiapo Church, walked towards a small group of activists sitting on the back pew, and without any warning, seized a blue-and-white paper bag containing several placards from party-list group Akbayan. The officers did not immediately offer any explanation for their action, but as Rappler’s Camille Elemia wrote later in her article, the posters “were not being used” when the incident occurred.
At around 11 in the morning of July 27, two officers from the Manila Police District (MPD) entered the nave of the Quiapo Church, walked towards a small group of activists sitting on the back pew, and without any warning, seized a blue-and-white paper bag containing several placards from party-list group Akbayan. The officers did not immediately offer any explanation for their action, but as Rappler’s Camille Elemia wrote later in her article, the posters “were not being used” when the incident occurred.
Filling a Gap in Governance: The Case of Balangay as a Useful Application of Digital Technology
This short paper briefly looks at Balangay and how it was developed as a useful application of digital technology to address a specific governance problem of Legazpi City. It also examines the challenges that Legazpiitfaces in enabling strategic collective action to promote responsive and accountable governance.
This short paper briefly looks at Balangay and how it was developed as a useful application of digital technology to address a specific governance problem of Legazpi City. It also examines the challenges that Legazpiitfaces in enabling strategic collective action to promote responsive and accountable governance.
Going Vertical: Citizen-led Reform Campaigns in the Philippines, 2nd ed.
Going Vertical is a result of action-research collaboration between Government Watch (G-Watch) and the Accountability Research Center (ARC) on multi-level citizen action for accountability. This book investigates how one strategic approach to citizen accountability - vertical integration - enabled seven reform initiatives in the Philippines to gain meaningful results.
Going Vertical is a result of action-research collaboration between Government Watch (G-Watch) and the Accountability Research Center (ARC) on multi-level citizen action for accountability. This book investigates how one strategic approach to citizen accountability - vertical integration - enabled seven reform initiatives in the Philippines to gain meaningful results.
Rebooting G-Watch: A Report from the 2017 National Meeting of G-Watch
A National Meeting of G-Watch local core group members and partners was convened on February 23-25, 2017 held in Astoria Plaza in Pasig City. The discussion focused on how and why G-Watch should reboot, what are the processes it entails and what should be the priority issues and agenda it will tackle.
A National Meeting of G-Watch local core group members and partners was convened on February 23-25, 2017 held in Astoria Plaza in Pasig City. The discussion focused on how and why G-Watch should reboot, what are the processes it entails and what should be the priority issues and agenda it will tackle.
From the Ground Up: Multi-Level Accountability Politics in Land Reform in the Philippines
In 1988, the Philippines enacted a land redistribution policy known as the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP). After almost three decades of implementation, an estimated 13 percent of the land targeted for redistribution remains in the hands of powerful landlords. This paper investigates the contestation involved in the implementation of agrarian reform through the lens of multi-level accountability politics.
In 1988, the Philippines enacted a land redistribution policy known as the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP). After almost three decades of implementation, an estimated 13 percent of the land targeted for redistribution remains in the hands of powerful landlords. This paper investigates the contestation involved in the implementation of agrarian reform through the lens of multi-level accountability politics.
Learning to be Strategic: A G-Watch Think Piece on an Alternative Approach to Sustaining Reforms Based on MAVC Experience in the Philippines
This think piece shares key lessons of G-Watch from the Making All Voices Count (MAVC) experience in the Philippines based on a learning process with the MAVC grantees from March to August 2017, which focused on the role of strategic action and adaptive learning on the issue of sustainability. Alongside this piece are two case studies on two selected MAVC grantees, one focusing on when and how digital technology works and the other on how learning for a strategic shift happens which are to be published separately by MAVC.
This think piece shares key lessons of G-Watch from the Making All Voices Count (MAVC) experience in the Philippines based on a learning process with the MAVC grantees from March to August 2017, which focused on the role of strategic action and adaptive learning on the issue of sustainability. Alongside this piece are two case studies on two selected MAVC grantees, one focusing on when and how digital technology works and the other on how learning for a strategic shift happens which are to be published separately by MAVC.
Jesse Robredo’s lessons for the Left
Even in death, Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo continued to make headlines. On the 40th day of his death, he still attracts attention. Barely a week after he was brought to his final resting place, media reports began to circulate that Robredo’s subordinate, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary Rico Puno, along with several police officers, had attempted to enter his condominium unit in Quezon City. This was a day after his plane crashed in Masbate on August 18.
Even in death, Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo continued to make headlines. On the 40th day of his death, he still attracts attention. Barely a week after he was brought to his final resting place, media reports began to circulate that Robredo’s subordinate, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary Rico Puno, along with several police officers, had attempted to enter his condominium unit in Quezon City. This was a day after his plane crashed in Masbate on August 18.
Marcos, Lean Alejandro, and the power of the written word
Writing is a dangerous affair. By putting our thoughts into paper or by placing them online, we reveal portions of ourselves which we may not even care to admit.
Writing is a dangerous affair. By putting our thoughts into paper or by placing them online, we reveal portions of ourselves which we may not even care to admit.
The Dark Lord doesn't share power: 4 points against dictators
All of us know Sauron, of course. He was the main antagonist in J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic trilogy "The Lord of the Rings," the Second Dark Lord who wanted to control the whole of Middle Earth and plunge it into darkness. Faced with a common threat, all the freedom-loving creatures of Middle Earth banded together to put an end to Sauron’s evil rule. The Dark Lord, they argued, had to be stopped or it will spell the doom for all peoples.
All of us know Sauron, of course. He was the main antagonist in J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic trilogy "The Lord of the Rings," the Second Dark Lord who wanted to control the whole of Middle Earth and plunge it into darkness. Faced with a common threat, all the freedom-loving creatures of Middle Earth banded together to put an end to Sauron’s evil rule. The Dark Lord, they argued, had to be stopped or it will spell the doom for all peoples.
Political change, the Kenshin Himura way
“New eras don't come about because of swords. They are created by the people who wield them.” – Kenshin, Rurouni Kenshin We first encountered Kenshin Himura during the late 1990s, when a local UHF station began airing episodes from the now classic anime Samurai X. Since then, we have grown to love this former assassin who turned his back on his past to embrace the hard-won peace of the early Meiji Period.
“New eras don't come about because of swords. They are created by the people who wield them.” – Kenshin, Rurouni Kenshin We first encountered Kenshin Himura during the late 1990s, when a local UHF station began airing episodes from the now classic anime Samurai X. Since then, we have grown to love this former assassin who turned his back on his past to embrace the hard-won peace of the early Meiji Period.
Making sense of Digong Duterte
After years of marginalization and government neglect, a son of Mindanao is finally gaining a foothold in Metro Manila. In an earlier Pulse Asia survey, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo “Digong” Duterte emerged as the most preferred candidate for president in the National Capital Region (NCR).
After years of marginalization and government neglect, a son of Mindanao is finally gaining a foothold in Metro Manila. In an earlier Pulse Asia survey, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo “Digong” Duterte emerged as the most preferred candidate for president in the National Capital Region (NCR).
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.”
Jesse Robredo: Profile of a mayor
This article is based on a chapter from the book, "Frontline Leadership: Stories of 5 Local Chief Executives" published by the Ateneo School of Government and Konrad Adenauer Stiftung in 2007. MANILA, Philippines - At 35 years old, Jonathan Chua is already a veteran of countless street demonstrations. A Leftwing radical from Caloocan, Chua had always treated government officials with cynicism and suspicion, believing they are all cut from the same cloth. “Pare-pereho lang ang mga ‘yan,” he would often remark. (They’re all the same.)
This article is based on a chapter from the book, "Frontline Leadership: Stories of 5 Local Chief Executives" published by the Ateneo School of Government and Konrad Adenauer Stiftung in 2007. MANILA, Philippines - At 35 years old, Jonathan Chua is already a veteran of countless street demonstrations. A Leftwing radical from Caloocan, Chua had always treated government officials with cynicism and suspicion, believing they are all cut from the same cloth. “Pare-pereho lang ang mga ‘yan,” he would often remark. (They’re all the same.)
Narrating the Future
This article has appeared in the April 2012 issue of the Asian Social Democracy Journal An Examination of Neil Postman’s Building a Bridge to the 18th Century One morning, while I was on my way to work, I saw a large billboard that was apparently set up by a group of fundamentalist Christians. Written in bright, bold letters, the tarpaulin warned commuters of the approaching Apocalypse on May 21, 2011 and called on the public to turn back to God before it is too late.
This article has appeared in the April 2012 issue of the Asian Social Democracy Journal An Examination of Neil Postman’s Building a Bridge to the 18th Century One morning, while I was on my way to work, I saw a large billboard that was apparently set up by a group of fundamentalist Christians. Written in bright, bold letters, the tarpaulin warned commuters of the approaching Apocalypse on May 21, 2011 and called on the public to turn back to God before it is too late.
Network and Vanguard: Reflections on the Philippine Left
This essay would not have been possible if not for the invitation extended to me by Ms. Tina Ebro of the Institute for Popular Democracy (IPD) to be a discussant in the Study-Seminar held at the Balay Kalinaw in the University of the Philippines last December 1 and 2, 2009. Aptly entitled “Rebuilding the Philippine Left,” this two-day event was a small gathering of senior and upcoming leaders of the Filipino radical movement, which generated a lot of spirited debates (and occasional heated exchanges) among the kasamas present.
This essay would not have been possible if not for the invitation extended to me by Ms. Tina Ebro of the Institute for Popular Democracy (IPD) to be a discussant in the Study-Seminar held at the Balay Kalinaw in the University of the Philippines last December 1 and 2, 2009. Aptly entitled “Rebuilding the Philippine Left,” this two-day event was a small gathering of senior and upcoming leaders of the Filipino radical movement, which generated a lot of spirited debates (and occasional heated exchanges) among the kasamas present.
A Revolution’s Worth
Of all the books that I have managed to read, none is as deeply personal or as emotionally poignant as Subversive Lives 1. Written as a collective memoir of the Quimpo family, the book narrates their shared ordeal under the Marcos dictatorship, and the hardship that each of the siblings had to endure in the course of their resistance to Martial Law.
Of all the books that I have managed to read, none is as deeply personal or as emotionally poignant as Subversive Lives 1. Written as a collective memoir of the Quimpo family, the book narrates their shared ordeal under the Marcos dictatorship, and the hardship that each of the siblings had to endure in the course of their resistance to Martial Law.
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.
Going Vertical: Citizen-led Reform Campaigns in the Philippines
The Philippines has a long history of state–society engagement to introduce reforms in government and politics. Forces from civil society and social movements have interfaced with reform-oriented leaders in government on a range of social accountability initiatives – to make governance more responsive, to introduce policy reforms, and to make government more accountable.
The Philippines has a long history of state–society engagement to introduce reforms in government and politics. Forces from civil society and social movements have interfaced with reform-oriented leaders in government on a range of social accountability initiatives – to make governance more responsive, to introduce policy reforms, and to make government more accountable.