The study is a cause-and-effect analysis on election-related violence in Abra, which focuses on three possible causal factors: historical, socio-cultural and institutional. It utilizes three analytical lenses or perspectives, namely institutional analysis, power analysis and socio-cultural analysis.
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.
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.
Paradoxically, the Maguindanao Massacre gives the country a unique opportunity to address a long-time problem that was not a monopoly of one region or ethnic community. With this massacre, we crossed the line and the country is now on the brink of being a failed state. With this massacre, we are seeing a scale of brutality and evil that we have not seen before. We have seen political and media assassinations and we have experienced massacres of farmers and workers – but not with these targets (women, lawyers, journalists, bystanders and passersby) and not in these numbers. Lines were crossed in Maguindanao and we must all work together, and work very hard, to pull the country back from those lines. Otherwise, the consequences are unimaginable with political clans all over the country possibly believing that they too can act with impunity.
This discussion series reflected, examined and investigated the lessons and prospects of the involvements of societal forces in the contestation of state power.