my liberal times

New Home

2006-04-15T21:40:00.000+08:00

I am in the process of moving.

No, it's not my home that has been moved. It's my blog. For you, not that much should change. Just remove the "blogspot" from my domain, and there you go.

My new URL is: www.myliberaltimes.com

I am also using the Wordpress software. From what I gather, this offers many more possibilities and comfort than blogger.com.

Migrating is never an easy process. And had it not been for the able help of Abe Olandres (I call him my guru), I would/could probaly not have done this.

So please visit, bookmark, subscribe and/or link to

www.myliberaltimes.com.

I will end my last post on this site with a word of thanks to blogger.com for six months of free and uninterrupred service.

Davide, two parties and collective hara-kiri

2006-04-10T22:33:00.000+08:00

When retired Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. accepted the job of presidential advisor on electoral reforms, not a few liberally minded observers were disappointed. They wondered how this highly respected former chief magistrate could associate with the president they despise.

Now Davide has come out with his recommendations for electoral reform. Strangely, the media have not published his report, but quote Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye, who some see as GMA’s top spin doctor.

From what I saw in today’s newspapers, I’ll pick out two points only: Reportedly, Davide proposes the return to a two-party system. The revival of the two-party rule – writes the reporter of Manila Standard Today – “should be one of the major constitutional reforms that must be pursued.” This proposal is a rehash of the draft presented to the president by the Consultative Commission (Con Com) a few months ago.

I have never quite understood, let alone supported this proposal. The notion that the state or the government prescribes the number of political parties is highly illiberal and autocratic. Imagine a future Philippine Parliament run by the two “designated” political parties Lakas and Kampi. I could also mention other combinations in which it would be more straightforward to move directly to a one-party system.

I couldn’t help smiling when I read of Davide’s intention to fight the political dynasties. According to one report, the former Chief Justice called on Congress to strictly define political dynasties and implement harsh sanctions against them. This proposal doesn’t become more realistic by simply repeating it again and again. It is tantamount to asking the majority of the political class to commit collective hara-kiri. No privileged class has ever given up power voluntarily.

tags philippines Hilario Davide electoral reforms political dynasties

The “Ignorance of the Masses” and Democracy

2006-04-02T15:47:00.000+08:00

Reading through the commentary sections of the newspapers and scrolling through my favorite Philippine blogs, I detect little support for constitutional change as promoted by the president and her political allies.

Apart from serious legal reservations, the rejection of cha-cha (as this project has disrespectfully been labeled from the outset) is motivated politically. Not a few see it, and I quote from Randy David’s column in the Philippine Daily Inquirer as “Ms Arroyo’s last card in her bid to survive till 2010 and avoid prosecution and imprisonment at the end of her term.”

In my last post, I discussed what I term “conservative people power.” Irrespective of the legal issue (and one can only hope that a legal solution accepted by all sides may be found soon), there remains the fundamental political dimension. From a democratic and liberal vantage point, it is not easy to simply discard a campaign that produces millions of individual signatures.

The successful mobilization opines Prof. David “rests on nothing more than the notorious ability of her (GMA’s) political operators to produce outcomes by preying upon the poverty, the indifference and the ignorance of the masses.”

Political indifference and ignorance are poisonous for democracy. As long as they persist, democratic rule will not be consolidated. The solution, however, is not to further disenfranchise the masses as is often suggested by messianic leaders who profess to speak on behalf of the masses and to know better what they want than the masses themselves. This is the recipe of communists, fascists and other totalitarian ideologues.

The liberal answer to indifferent and ignorant masses is education. Yes, this is a long term approach. But history teaches that there is no short cut to consolidate democracy.

tags philippines charter change democratic consolidation cha cha

Conservative People Power?

2006-03-28T23:28:00.000+08:00

Political scientists and constitutionalists distinguish between various types of democracy. Some favor a more direct form of democracy with referenda, popular initiatives and other forms of grass roots involvement in the political decision making process. Others support the representative model of democratic government where democratically elected representatives act as go-betweens and speak and govern on behalf of the sovereign people. Many modern democracies have constitutions that provide a mixture of direct and representative elements of government.

I am mentioning this against the backdrop of the ongoing debates in political circles in the Philippines, where the president and her allies have initiated a nation-wide campaign aimed at collecting millions of signatures in support for amending the constitution. According to one columnist, President Arroyo is now deploying people power to tap her rural based constituencies.

Not a few Filipino observers argue that the progressive methodology of asking and including the masses in the political decision making process is not for real as it aims at a fundamentally conservative objective: to secure the political survival of the president and her allies.

This argument is heard again and again from the disunited opposition: Having little to match the patronage resources reportedly put into action by the supporters of charter change, the oppositionists are aware that they cannot rely on the masses for their anti-cha cha agenda.

tags people power philippines conservative cha cha

Never a Pro-Blogger?

2006-03-23T22:55:00.000+08:00

There’s more to blogging than setting up your own personal website. With all that easy-to-use software available today, that’s really nothing.

Successful blogging involves a behavioral change regarding one’s media usage patterns. It’s certainly not enough to write a post every now and then. Successful bloggers are interactive types: they follow their fellow-bloggers’ writings, and sooner or later become part of an online community. In this regard, I am - at best - a mediocre blogger. The frequency of my postings is rather dismal. And reading other weblogs has yet to become my favorite pastime.

On the other hand, I love political (and other) commentary. Often, also on this site, I refer to opinionated writings. But mostly, the commentaries I deal with are mainstream media texts which I read before or after work in the local newspapers.

I spend many hours every day working at the computer. After I leave the office, I enjoy reading a good book or even more so a (traditional) newspaper. I am certainly not ready to throw aside the printed paper and satisfy my reading desires online.

This predisposition, I guess, will prevent me from ever becoming a so called pro-blogger.

tags pro-blogger blogging media usage philippines

Media revolution and liberal societies

2006-03-20T22:11:00.000+08:00

If interested in the much debated relationship between MSM, or main stream media, and what has come to be known as citizens’ journalism, don’t miss Monday’s issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer with its well-documented analysis by mainstream journalist Leo Magno. In the third of a four part special report, Magno presents a multitude of aspects and arguments of a seemingly endless debate.

Probably the only uncontroversial point is that blogs and podcasts (and the people behind them) have caused a lot of commotion in the traditional world of media. This is how Leo Magno puts it:

Blogs and podcasts are disruptive technologies. They arrive at the party, offer something new, start playing a new song and dance to a new beat, they tear the piñata down and before you know it, the tables have been overturned and the party will never be the same again. That party is traditional media -- television, radio and print.

In his report, the author also quotes extensively from an e-mail interview with me some weeks ago. I feel privileged to be introduced as “ a liberal thinker with his own podcast,” and I must confess that, at times, I feel that I should do more liberal thinking and podcasting than the many other things I get stuck with in my daily routine. But that’s another matter altogether.

As to blogging and podcasting and their contribution to liberalism and democratic governance, this is what I had to say:

Media are instruments of communication for the information and entertainment of the people. In a democracy, they play a crucial role in controlling government. Their existence, and also their freedom, is essential for liberal societies. Blogs and podcasts are new -- almost revolutionary -- media. I call them do-it-yourself media. Everybody with just a little technical infrastructure, basically not more than a PC and an Internet connection, can be his or her own publisher. This is a fundamental democratization of the media. It abolishes the so-called gatekeepers. In the traditional media, the gatekeepers, basically the editors and publishers, control what is published and what is not. This is no longer the case today.”

When I said that, I wasn’t thinking in my wildest dreams that a secretary in the Philippine cabinet would in the not too distant future accuse the most popular Philippine political blog of inciting to sedition for publishing the so-called Hello Garci tapes.

The mere thought that such information could be blocked in today’s media world is absurd - and outlandish.

tags MSM citizens journalism liberalism philippines

Liberals Can Do it!

2006-03-17T10:51:00.000+08:00

Among the many political propaganda placards, J. Howard Miller’s “We can do it” poster stands out. Used in World War II to prop up the US war efforts, you can find it all over the place today in boutiques, bars and trendy discotheques.

On my recent trip to Thailand, I came across two placards plagiarizing the original in a gallery in Chiang Mai: Instead of depicting Rosie the Riveter, who has become somewhat of a feminist icon in America, the posters showed the Dalai Lhama and one of my very special political heroes, the Burmese freedom fighter Aung San Suu Kyi. The text in both cases was unchanged: We can do it!

Being a liberal, the best adaptation of the popular theme I find the following, which comes as a sticker:

I want to give away ten copies of this sticker to the readers of My Liberal Times on a first come first serve basis. Sign in your name and address in the comments section or send me an email, and I will send you this wonderful liberal propaganda tool by snail mail.
tags j howard miller we can do it liberal propaganda free sticker

Traffic, a link and www.inq7.net

2006-03-13T23:34:00.000+08:00

It’s no secret that I take online communications seriously – in my professional, and to a certain degree also in my private life. As a result, I am concerned about the audience: Communication is about communicating with other people. Therefore, I pay attention to the traffic on websites I write for.

A little while ago, I checked the traffic of my Foundation’s website for which we have an account with opentracker. I noted an increase in referrals from www.inq7net, by far the most frequented of all Philippine websites with hundreds of thousand unique visitors daily.

This was created by a link in an article entitled “iBlog, iPopdcast: Citizen Journalism using Tech." The author, Leo Magno, had conducted an e-mail interview with me some weeks ago. Now, he was kind enough to link to our site. Here is an extract of Magno's report:

“Blogging and podcasting are still budding technologies, which makes it even more interesting why government and corporate entities want to nip them in the bud. Ronald Meinardus, resident representative of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation in the Philippines and a commentator on Asian affairs, said there are about 24 million blogs and 20,000 podcasts out there.

Meinardus calls them “digital grassroots communicators” and that “real political power and influence is now being wielded through online communities comprising millions of people.”

The Friedrich Naumann Foundation proclaims that it is dedicated to liberalism, where key ingredients are individual freedom and active participation of citizens to become aware of their rights. With its own podcast it is encouraging individuals to join the public sphere using technology.

“As with weblogs, the great majority of podcasts are produced and hosted in North America,” said Meinardus. “This approach -- which shrinks the gap between creator and consumer -- poses a major challenge for traditional media companies, which are increasingly having a hard time attracting the young generation. Instead of reading newspapers or arranging their schedules around TV shows, more and more young people in advanced societies are flocking to so-called online communities.”

So here we see digital and personal counterparts of the print medium with blogs, and a digital and personal counterpart of TV and radio with podcasts. Whereas before, the cost of printing and publishing news was prohibitive, individual citizens are now blogging their own news and views. Whereas before, the cost of broadcasting your own radio or TV show was prohibitive or nigh-impossible, individual citizens can now podcast.
This development is changing not only the face but also the very definition of the word “media.” We are moving into personalized content produced by the end-users themselves and into newer forms of media, and some of these are becoming influential.”

If you are interested in blogging and podcasting, don’t miss Magno’s article. It is profound and gives an Asian perspective.

tags website traffic blogging podcasting mainstream media

16 New Filipino Blogs

2006-03-13T22:47:00.000+08:00

After being in the hands of 16 avid bloggig and podcasting novices for two long days, the premises of my Foundation in Makati City returned to normal. The rented PCs are gone, so are the wonderful young people who worked with them.

The feedback we got at the end of the Express Yourself! workshop was remarkable. While all the participants gave us very good or good marks, there was also the feeling of an information overkill. “I just wished we had more time to digest everything,” wrote one participant.

I agree with this critique. Learning about - and then actually producing - podcasts needs more time than one day. We will consider that next time!

Of the many comments, the following is among my favorite:

“Thanks, RM, you helped create a devious blogger.”

Addendum: We plan to publish a list with the links to all the 16 new Filipino blogs (remember: link like crazy!) at our Foundation’s website. In the meantime, you may go to “Arch’s” site and tune into the “Liberal Gong Podcast”.

You will hear they had fun producing the show.

tags philippines blogging podcasting hands-on training

Super Motivated Blogging Novices

2006-03-10T16:03:00.000+08:00

As a facilitator of seminars and other educative programs, I always find it a special challenge to keep the interest and the motivation of the participants alive. This may become particularly difficult in seminars that stretch over more than one day.

It is a very different situation all together at the “Express Yourself!” workshop on blogging and podcasting being held at my Foundation’s premises in Makati City. The workshop started Thursday morning, and will come to an end in a few hours. I haven’t seen such a motivated and, yes, disciplined group of workshop participants for a very long time.

The result is tangible for all (without exception): following our hands-on-training with the highly professional instructors Abe Olandres (on blogging) and Angelo Racoma (on podcasting) all sixteen participants have now created their own blog (and added some fine content). We are also in the final stages of producing and publishing five new, original and liberal Philippine podcasts.

I’ll let you know where to find them soon.

tags philippines blogging podcasting hands-on training

Militarization of Philippine politics?

2006-03-04T18:15:00.000+08:00

On the surface, President Arroyo’s lifting of emergency rule is good news. But many see it as a superficial and a conditional move: According to today’s Philippine Daily Inquirer banner headline, the “crackdown continues.” Furthermore, the president has declared she would not hesitate to act “with the same force of will and determination” if deemed necessary.

I see no signs that one week of emergency rule contributed to ending the political turmoil. Ironically, the draconian measure may even have strengthened the opposition for a short while by pulling GMA’s opponents together. On the other hand, the anti-Arroyo forces continue to be divided lacking a common strategy and leadership. “Arroyo’s insurance policy is the absence of any credible successor,” concludes journalist Seth Mydans in today’s International Herald Tribune.

If, at all, there is a winner following this sad and illiberal one-week episode in Manila, it is probably the Philippine military. While the Armed Forces, like most institutions here, are divided, the much debated cracks in the chain of command, according to Amando Doronila, puts the (loyal) Generals in the position of powerbrokers and kingmakers:

“The government has become hostage to the military as it becomes more dependent on the military if political resistance to the crackdown escalates.”

So far, one main concern has been the politicization of the military. A possible next – even more hazardous - scenario may be the militarization of Philippine politics.

tags philippines emergency rule opposition military

Express Yourself (2)

2006-03-02T15:25:00.000+08:00

From an e-mail of an applicant to the liberal blooging workshop in Makati City next week:

"Recent attempts to curtail press freedom and freedom of expression, through proclamation 1017, drive home the need for individuals to make the most of public venues, such as cyberspace, where one's ideas and opinions can be freely shared. Your workshop couldn't have come at a more opportune time."

tags philippines blogging state of emergency press freedom

EXPRESS YOURSELF

2006-03-01T09:31:00.000+08:00

If you're thinking about setting up your own blog or podcast and still a novice, the following announcement should be of interest to you:

"The liberal Foundation is organizing an educative activity entitled “Express Yourself,” a workshop with hands-on exercises on blogging and podcasting to be held in Makati City on 9-10 March 2006. This is a rare occasion to learn from leading Filipino bloggers such as Abe Olandres and Manolo Quezon III the techniques of establishing your own voice on the World Wide Web. The deadline for applications is March 2. "

Go to www.fnf.org.ph to find out more about the workshop and how to apply.

(taken from the e-newsletter Liberal Times Manila)

tags blogging workshop podcasting liberal hands on exercises

The Weakening of Philippine Democracy

2006-02-28T18:27:00.000+08:00

After my return from Mindanao, I sat down and put to paper my thoughts on the proclamation of a state of emergency by President Arroyo. For more than one reason, this is a depressing story. As a liberal at heart, I abhor situations in which governments curtail the civil liberties of their citizens. I also happen to spend my professional life trying to promote democracy. In my eyes, the clock of democracy has been turned back in this country.

Many years ago, when I was still a journalist working in a radio station in Germany, we were full of admiration for the democratic achievements here. I doubt whether today’s journalists in Germany and elsewhere have similar sentiments about political developments in this country.

If you are interested in my thoughts, please read my commentary “The Weakening of Philippine Democracy” published today.

tags philippines democracy state of emergency president GMA

Exploring Cagayan de Oro

2006-02-26T00:06:00.000+08:00

Apart from meeting criminologists, I took time out to explore Cagayan de Oro, a city that claims to be “in blossom, in bloom and in boom.” While I find that PR-statement exaggerated, one can easily notice efforts of the municipal authorities to give a face-lift to the place to attract investors and tourists.

Unlike other Philippine cities, in Cagayan de Oro there is a resemblance of urban planning. Situated along the Cagayan River, the city has a historical center with a fine (and airy) cathedral and a rather attractive down town shopping area (apart from the various modern malls which all look more or less alike and are not worth mentioning here), formally known as Divisoria.

Luckily, I was there on a weekend, when at night time the whole area is converted into one giant open air market with vendors – many of whom Filipino Muslims – from the surrounding districts and provinces. It reminded me of the night market in Chiang Mai (Thailand) I had recently been to. In both places, pirated CD-Roms and DVDs occupy numerous stalls.

Mindanao’s second city has a huge student population. Nowhere else in the Philippines have I seen so many Internet cafés in such a small area as in Cagayan de Oro (I frequented them for online updates on the political developments in Manila.)

Less attractive than the Internet cafes and bars with their youthful customers, I found the many beggars, many of whom blind or crippled asking for small donations to buy some food.

On the flight back to Manila, I sat next to a Filipino gentleman with whom I engaged in a lively political dialogue. At first, I assumed he was a journalist or a political analyst because of his profound commentaries regarding the political crisis. In the end, he turned out to be a Protestant clergyman.

Of course, we discussed the president’s declaration of national emergency. At one point, I said, what a stupid and counterproductive thing to do. My co-voyager’s response to my comment:

“When you are in fear, you don’t think straight.”

It’s never good if those at the top don’t think straight.

I hope to find some time in the next few days to put to paper a more profound commentary regarding these depressing (and certainly illiberal) developments in domestic Philippine politics.

tags mindanao cagayan de oro tourism southern philippines

Discussing Terrorism in Mindanao

2006-02-25T23:15:00.000+08:00

I missed the “political action” last Friday in Manila, because at the time the president proclaimed the state of emergency, I was in Cagayan de Oro to present a paper on “Terrorism as Political Ideology” at the first Mindanao-wide conference of the “Professional Criminologists’ Association of the Philippines” (PCAP). I enjoyed that meeting and the discussions with the criminologists. They are a highly specialized and also sophisticated professional group who I rarely have a chance to get together with.

Terrorism, as is well known, has many dimensions. To listen to criminologists from an area with a home grown terrorist problem discuss this issue, I found both intellectually stimulating and enlightening.

My own contribution, which to my delight was well received by an audience of over 300, was an overview of terrorism as an ideology including remarks on possible strategies to confront the terrorist challenge. Regular readers will not be surprised to hear that I included liberal concerns and considerations regarding this important debate. Among others, I emphasized:

“From a liberal viewpoint, we should never sacrifice or infringe on human rights, for if we do that, we would hand victory to the terrorists and the enemies of freedom.”

I have posted the full text of “Terrorism as Political Ideology” on my Foundation’s homepage.

At the conference, it was hard to oversee that a fellow liberal is the driving force of PCAP. Gerry Cano is the Executive Secretary of PCAP and also a key figure in an ongoing effort to strengthen the network of Young Liberals in Southern Philippines.

tags terrorism mindanao criminologists liberal response

Dealing with Disaster

2006-02-20T10:09:00.000+08:00

The news from Southern Leyte is both horrendous and depressing; it is difficult to find words befitting the suffering. It is not the first, and unfortunately probably not the last time, that such calamities strike this country. In this regard also, the Philippines belongs to the less fortunate group of nations.

As the rescue operations continue and brave men from far and near race against time hoping to pull survivors out of the piles of mud, it seems too early for a serious debate on how this could happen, and who – if anyone at all - will be made accountable.

When this public debate begins, I hope it will go beyond the level of “analysis” offered in today’s issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer. The leading paper editorializes that the organized reaction to the landslide “has been disciplined, proportionate, and on target.”

The writer also searchers for the perceived causes of the calamity:

“Ours is still a religious nation, so it is only to be expected that both public discourse and private conversation have touched on the threshold question: How can God, or Allah, or Providence allow something like this to happen?”

I respect, even admire, the religiosity of many Filipinos. In this specific case, however, religious fatalism boils down to negligence and a lack of responsibility. Unlike other natural disasters (last year’s tsunami for instance), the deadly impact of the landslide at Guinsaugon could have been reduced if not averted by human action.

Geologists, environmentalists and other concerned citizens had warned again and again about the hazards of living in that area. It should have been the responsibility of a responsible government (both local and national) to tell the people to get out (and stay out) of harms way.

But maybe that is expecting too much of the political class.

tags guinsaugon landslide natural disaster environment

Political Crises in Thailand and the Philippines

2006-02-15T17:13:00.000+08:00

I am back in Manila from a weeklong visit to Thailand. Coming from the Philippines, I was impressed to find out that in that country too domestic politics are in a state of turmoil. According to my favorite English-language Thai daily (The Nation), the campaign to unseat Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra “seems to be dividing Thailand like never before.”

Such dramatization of the political divide reminds me of the publicized mood in the Philippines at the climax of the campaign to impeach President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (GMA) last September. Compared to what is going on in Thailand today, the political climate in the Philippines has simmered down considerably.

I find it worthwhile to compare the political crises in the two South East Asian democracies:

In both countries, the political leaders are at the center of the political turmoil. While his opponents blame Thaksin of misusing his political power to amass material wealth, the opposition in the Philippines accuses GMA of rigging the elections in her favor. While the quality of the allegations is different, they are equally damaging to the stability of the respective governments.

In both countries, the political parties of the opposition play a minor role at best. They are not at the forefront of the political battles in Thailand and in the Philippines. In both countries, the opposing forces have chosen to politicize the alleged misdeeds of the political leaders. This indicates a lack of trust in the institutional processes.

And finally: In both countries, the opposition lacks unity, a clear strategy and a leader acceptable to everyone. Therefore, the opposition is weak. This becomes particularly obvious when compared with the strength of the leaders in power.

tags thailand philippines political crisis corruption

Greek Restaurants in Asia

2006-02-11T17:51:00.000+08:00

You may have wondered why I cared to mention that I would have dinner at a Greek restaurant yesterday. Those who know me are aware of my special interest (some would say affection) for all things Greek. In the many years I spent in Hellas (the official name of that country), I not only learned to speak the language but also to like the local food.

This said, I was happy to come across a Greek eatery here in Chiangmai. Actutally, there are not that many Greek restaurants in this part of the world. In the Philippines, friends of Hellenic cuisine frequent To Mati restaurant in Rockwell, Makati City, which I would like to call the best Greek restaurant in Asia. I was told that a new Greek place has opened in Tagaytay (about an hour's drive from Manila), but this I have yet to test.

I have come across Greek eateries in Taipei (Mykonos) and Tokyo (the basment place was then called Aphroditi, if my memory is correct). Both were nothing to brag about. I am sure this listing is all but complete. Please let me know about other Greek resturants in Asia I have missed.

Meanwhile, should you be in Chiangmai try Kosta's and Maria's souvlakia at Zorbas Restaurant. I find them tastier than the ones in Athens or Thessaloniki.

tags greek restaurants asia greek food chiangmai

Thailand (1)

2006-02-10T20:42:00.000+08:00

The idea of having to update this publication is still relatively new to me. But, I agree that blogs need new material every few days, because that's the only way to attract you, my dear reader.

Since leaving Manila last Sunday for Thailand, I have been extremely busy. So busy that I did not even find the time to read the newspapers, not to think of posting on the blog. Stressful days, first in Bangkok, where I facilitated a strategic planning session on political communications, and then in Pattaya, where I went for a meeting of my Foundation, have come to an end.

I am now in Chiangmai in the North and looking forward to relaxation and some inspiring moments in what seems to be an enchanting environment. There is so much I could say about my Thai impressions, but I'll leave it with two or three short observations for today.

While I have never come across a larger red-light-district than in Pattaya (and I should mention that I spent my college years in Hamburg living just two blocks away from the notorious Reeperbahn of St. Pauli), I have yet to see so many bookstores in one area as here in Chiangmai.

This would not be My Liberal Times if I wouldn't make at least one political comment. Alone a glimpse at today's headline of Thailand's major English-language newspaper THE NATION make the political turmoil back in the Philippines almost look peaceful: "Real War has just Begun", is how that papers' editors word in a catch-phrase the political situation in Thailand.

I hope to share some comparative thoughts from a Philippine perspective on this tomorrow. Meanwhile, I will run off for dinner to "Zorbas", the Greek Restaurant in Chiangmai. This city, so I have gathered, is not only cultivated; it is also pleasantly cosmopolitan.

tags thailand pattaya red light district chiangmai

The Root of the Divide

2006-01-30T21:56:00.000+08:00

Of the columnists of the country’s leading broadsheet, Amando Doronila is the one I usually pay attention to. Unlike many of his colleagues, one does not know what he will tell us before starting to read. Excessively opinionated commentators get boring with the time.

This time, however, Doronila was out of touch. In his “analysis” published today, he attributes the divide within the ranks of the Liberal Party of the Philippines (LP) to “the rivalry for the country’s presidency between Senate President Franklin Drilon and Sen.Mar Roxas II, grandson of the late president.”

If this were the case, the return to a united liberal organization would merely be a matter of time. No, unfortunately, it's not between those two senators. Unfortunately, the divide reaches much deeper and has to do with fundamental, almost philosophical differences.

I have given my take on the present divide in a commentary entitled “Filipino Liberals” published the other day in the BusinessWorld newspaper:

"As on various occasions in the past, today, once more, two opposing concepts of politics are evident among the leaders of organized Philippine liberalism: the politics of conscience versus the politics of convenience. On the one hand, Liberals are proud of their progressive values and concepts; upholding them is a conscientious imperative. At the same time, Liberals tend to be pragmatists; they know that in order to shape meaningful reforms they have to work within the system and within the parameters of the law.

The Philippine political context includes features and mechanisms not conducive to clean and transparent governance. Confronted with the dilemma of conscience and convenience, not all Liberals adopt the same standard. Some prefer to stay in power arguing that their presence allows them to influence developments in a positive direction. Others have chosen to quit arguing that staying on in what they perceive as an illegitimate structure would signify collusion.

In abstract terms, this is the situation of organized Liberals today – a split between two camps with diametrically differing views on the dominant issue of domestic politics."

Go to Filipino Liberals for the complete text of the commentary.

P.S.: In his “analysis,” Doronila quotes from the statement of former Senator Jovito Salonga and says this was read at the Plaza Miranda rally sponsored by Manila Mayor Lito Atienza and “not at Drilon’s assemblage at the Dusit Hotel” in Makati City.

Doronila overlooks that Senator Salonga personally showed up at the LP’s testimonial dinner at Club Filipino and was celebrated by all those present as the true icon of Philippine liberalism. It is quite embarrassing that columnist Doronila and his editor overlook this politically significant detail.

tags philippines liberal party divide franklin drilon

Liberal Party at 60: Divided, but Inspired

2006-01-21T18:27:00.000+08:00

My job demands that I spend many hours in talks and sessions with people working for and in political parties. My focus is liberal and partisan: I make a point not to get to close to other ideological mainstreams.

At the end of this week, I have the feeling I have rarely spent more hours at political party activities than in these past days, attending the numerous events in commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the Liberal Party of the Philippines (LP).

Politically, the timing of the anniversary was all but ideal. The Liberals are (deeply) divided. One side has joined the opposition against President GMA. The other side supports her. The latter group is headed by the Mayor of Manila. He organized a huge rally at Plaza Miranda to demonstrate his support for the president (and, at the same time, to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the party which he chairs).

I have many good friends in both Liberal camps. Therefore, it was only normal that I attended both the Plaza Miranda affair as well as the numerous activities organized by the headquarters of the party (identified with the LP and Senate President Franklin Drilon). Those activities were impressive. As I am fond of political discourse and intellectual debates and don’t enjoy too much noisy mass rallies, I felt more at home at the latter activities.

I could fill a book with the many interesting impressions, information and discussions of these past three days of Liberal celebrations. But I will limit myself to three quotes of liberal leaders which I find relevant for the debate on the future of organized liberalism in the Philippines:

"Nowhere in the world can you find a stable democracy without strong political parties."

Senator Francis Pangilinan, Vice Chairman Liberal Party

“United, there is little we cannot do; divided, there is little that we can do.”

Franklin M. Drilon, Senate President, President Liberal Party.

“Without power, principles are impotent in influencing public affairs. Without principle, power is easily prostituted to passing fancies…Working on the correct balance between the demands of power and fulfilling the calling of principles is going to be the main issue in defining the future character of the Liberal Party.”

Mario Taguiwalo, President, National Institute for Policy Studies (NIPS)

tags philippines liberal party liberalism 60.anniversary

Cha-Cha, Political Parties and trapos

2006-01-17T23:38:00.000+08:00

Whether one likes it or not, the political class of the Philippines will dance the cha-cha for months to come. The president’s party is seriously proposing to have a plebiscite and a transformation to an interim parliamentary government by the end of June 2006. Whether this is realistic, is another matter altogether. This government is not famed for adhering to deadlines, and I am not only referring to the airport…

Let’s assume that once the information (or propaganda) campaign for the new constitution kicks off sometime after Holy Week, the public will have a closer look at the 64 pages the delegates of the Consultative Commission (ConCom) filled with ink.

Just how progressive this country is may be seen at the fact that the full text of the proposal is available online, but not yet in print. This may still take some weeks, Con Com Chair Dr. Abueva told foreign correspondents at a forum in Manila on Monday.

I downloaded and read the text a few days ago. Some sections I find very remarkable. Today, I will only share some brief comments regarding references in the draft to political parties.

Among the most impressive sections I find the following.

“Political parties shall observe fair, honest and democratic processes
in the selection of their candidates. They shall ensure the integrity,loyalty, and discipline of their members and publicly account for the sources and use of their funds and for their assets.”

Wow! I nearly forgot, they were talking about the Philippines. I really wonder how they’ll manage to get this organized in less than half a year. Implementing such a provision in the existing political parties comes close to a political revolution.

The political class has been talking about democratizing political parties for many years. Just how serious their intentions have been, is proven by the fact that practically nothing in that direction has happened. And now, they will do it in a few weeks?

Democratic political parties are of strategic importance for democratic consolidation and progress. With the envisioned shift to a parliamentary system of government the (constitutional) role of political parties will increase immensely. But in reality, the parties are nowhere close to meet the envisioned new obligations. Maybe their leaders don’t even want them to be. This, at least, is what my favorite lady Senator (when she has a good day) insinuates::

“A parliamentary government run by trapos (traditional politicians) will simply mean that trapos and not the people will choose our head of government. Without principled political parties, the highest post will become a trophy for the highest bidder.”
(Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago, Philippine Daily Inquirer, 17.1. 2006)

One could add that the same applies also for all other posts.

tags philippines politics parties constitution

Prospects of Podcasting in the Philippines

2006-01-14T23:53:00.000+08:00

Today, the Philippine Daily Inquirer ran a full page article on podcasting in this country. Entitled “30 peas in a podcast,” this was more a PR-affair (with numerous mentions of a company selling Apple products) than a serious discussion regarding the state of podcasting and its potentials in this Asian country.

Gathering from the (incomplete) list of Filipino podcasts mentioned by the author, the great majority are produced by traditional publishing companies and other established institutions. From this account, one must gather that podcasting as the grassroots audio-blogging as we know it primarily from the United States has yet to arrive in this part of the world. While there are individual Pinoy podcasters, these - this is my impression – are not based in their home country. Please correct me, should I get this wrong.

Some weeks ago, Abe Olandres, who some call the guru of Pinoy blogging, asked the question: “Will podcasting pick up in the Philippines?” He said he was “still a bit skeptical,” and predicted there could be a surge in listeners, but not in Filipinos actually producing podcasts. This, Olandres explained, was due to “inherent barriers” not limited to the Philippines, but found in all developing countries: low internet penetration and broadband connectivity.

Based on the situation today, I find this a realistic assessment. But this could change dramatically the moment mobile telephony and podcasts get linked or integrated. In the Philippines, I can think of at least two factors favoring the audio format:

First, the people’s craze for mobile phones and the readiness of even the poor to chunk out large parts of their meager income for mobile services.

Second (and this is a cultural phenomenon), the prevalence of the oral as opposed to the written in daily communications. It is no secret that, compared to other countries, reading is quite unpopular in the Philippines.

In spite of this, “classical” written blogs (as opposed to the audio variant) are doing quite well in this country. Imagine how successful audio-blogging or podcasting could become once technology produces a system that is accessible and affordable for the highly talkative masses.

tags podcasting prospects philippines asia

Podcasting from Manila

2006-01-11T18:14:00.000+08:00

There’s a new liberal voice out there in the World Wide Web. It’s in audio and its origin is the Philippine office of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation: I am happy to announce the launching of The Liberal Times Manila Podcast with news and commentary on various matters related to the work of the liberal Foundation in the Philippines and beyond.

Joining me for the monthly show is Alexandra Cuyegkeng. I won’t loose many words here, and simply invite you to listen to the show and hopefully also enjoy it.

tags podcasting philippines politics friedrich naumann foundation

“Begin the reform process by rewriting party rules”

2006-01-06T13:25:00.000+08:00

Central to my professional advocacy, if you may call it that, is the message that democratic political parties are crucial in democratic orders. This is a long story, but I will keep it short here.

Democratic political parties are important avenues through which the popular will is transferred into the political decision making process. Where this avenue is blocked, the quality of the democratic governance is deficient.

I raised this point in a recent posting in a discussion board. In the ensuing debate a contributor by the name of Michael made what I find an interesting observation.

"We’ve talked a lot about reforming the party system as a critical step toward improving governance, but we seem to think that that can only be done if a new Constitution mandates it. Why is that? FVR, JDV, Drilon, etc., are all party leaders, and they all claim to desperately want to see reforms in the current system. To demonstrate their commitment to honest reform, why can’t they begin the process by rewriting their own party rules right now? One party may not be able to pass a law that applies to all elected officials, but they can certainly enact internal rules that bind all members of that party. Rules about transparency and accountability in the use of government funds for example.

Michael has a point there, don’t you think so?

tags philippines politics parties reforms

No, there’s no Grand Realignment of the Philippine Opposition

2006-01-06T12:41:00.000+08:00

I had planned to join the debate on the hottest political issue in town these days – the buzz about an impending alliance between former Presidents Cory Aquino, Fidel Ramos and Joseph Estrada yesterday. But then, I was distracted by other matters. That’s good, because things have become even clearer today, so I am happy I waited.

Various media outlets had suggested that FVR was contemplating to jump ship leaving GMA behind to join the opposition. According to fellow blogger (and journalist) Ricky Carandang, FVR had realized “he needs a Plan B.”

It is always good to have a Plan B. On the other hand, talking to your political opponents is not only legitimate but also mandated in a democratic order. Talking and drinking wine does not automatically mean going to bed and staying there. FVR is quite comfortable where he is now. In my eyes, he is too smart to leave the ruling camp to join up with… whom?

If the opposition were indeed a serious contender for power (and, thus, a real threat to GMA’s reign) the scenario of switching sides could make sense for a politician of the likes of FVR who is said to have ambitions for a second shot at power. But let’s be realistic: the opposition is nowhere close to unity, and even less a threat to the government. Adding a new leader of the bearing of FVR to the already disunited oppositionist camp would not enhance unity. To the contrary, it would create even more personal competition and, therefore, also disunity.

“Why should FVR make any move to form an alliance with the opposition … when they themselves are far from forging a united front?”, was the short and sharp comment of Ramos’ media adviser Ed Malay, as quoted in the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

In my view, the latest rumor mongering is part of one more grand political spin which, as is well known, is so common in Philippine domestic politics. Many people go for it, “as we love political gossip,” confided a young liberal friend with whom I regularly discuss developments.

On the other hand, foreign observers don’t seem to get too excited about all the noise: “It’s too stupid to write about,” said a senior foreign correspondent. That might be strong wording, but it’s a fact that the foreign media are practically ignoring the domestic political rumblings and focusing their reporting and commentary instead on other news items much more becoming to GMA: the rise of the Philippine Peso and – to quote from the front page headline of yesterday’s International Herald Tribune – the "new, bullish mood (that) grips Manila.”

tags philippines opposition GMA FVR

Puzzling Filipino Optimism

2006-01-02T12:40:00.000+08:00

As a liberal, I don’t like stereotypes and try to avoid them as much as I possibly can. But, in certain situations, it is hard to resist generalizations. One such case is the discussion regarding an important collective character trait of the vast majority of Filipinos I interact with on a daily basis: With very few exceptions, these people are friendly, happy and - overtly optimistic.

The stereotype of the happy and confident Pinoy is substantiated, on the macro level, in the annual surveys conducted by the Social Weather Stations. Every year, SWS asks a representative sample of Filipinos how they view their prospects in the coming year. This time, eighty-five percent of adult Filipinos entered the New Year with hope rather than fear, the institute said. Remarkably, the hope levels are higher than last year’s.

For more than one reason, I find these results mind-boggling.

Filipinos’ hopefulness stands in stark contrast to the generally perceived realities - politically, socially or economically. While well over four fifths of the people say they have hope for the New Year, many of the same people live along the poverty line and in all but merry social conditions. Also, in other polls, the same individuals claim to believe that their president has cheated in the last elections and nearly two thirds are so unhappy with GMA that they want her out.

Particularly remarkable I find the pollsters’ finding that optimism is more pronounced in the less affluent (or poor) groups of society than in the middle and upper classes. In other words: In the Philippines, the better-offs are more worried about their future than the have-nots living in or on the verge of misery.

This leads to the conclusion that, in this particular case, the objective living conditions and prospects don’t seem to determine the mindset of the people. While Marxists wont like this conclusion at all, this observation is substantiated by comparable polls conducted in my own country, Germany.

The economic and social situation of the vast majority of Germans is doubtlessly much better than that of the people in the Philippines. Still, compared to Pinoys, Germans may be called collectively depressed: According to a recent survey conducted by the Institut für Demoskopie Allensbach, only 45 percent of Germans entered the New Year with hope.

Seen collectively, Filipinos may be called double as happy as Germans!

The discrepancy between the German and Philippine figures is remarkable. Having lived in the Philippines for nearly four years, I have come to the conclusion that more than anything else this country’s “peculiar brand of optimism”, as one local commentator has called it, has to do with its’ people’s spirituality and religious faith.

“The Filipino views what’s coming up with more hope than fear because he finds it easy to forgive and to forget what had gone before,”

the commentator opines.

On a personal and subjective level this may be an enviable quality as it may lead to a life void of anxiety and angst. On the other hand, the collective inclination to forget and forgive produces less positive results for society as a whole. If you prefer to forget, you tend to be distracted easily. This may lead to a situation in which words count more than deeds, which according to my Philippine friends is a typical trait of this country’s politicians. This said, forgetting and forgiving is particularly hazardous in the political and legal spheres. There it may lead to impunity, the worst enemy of the rule of law.

“It may well be that Filipino optimism is actually what is holding the country back, rather than pushing it forward,” writes the commentator, and I tend to agree.

Think about it. As you wrench your mind, don’t be surprised if you start philosophizing. Looking at the Germany-Philippines comparison, you might end up believing that the choice is between either poor and happy or rich and unhappy.

I hope you don’t get stuck there. Life is more complex than black and white. At least from a liberal view point, it is always useful to examine also the grey.

tags philippines public opinion SWS public mood in germany

New Year’s Wish

2005-12-31T17:51:00.000+08:00

A Brainy Quote from … Walt Disney and an appropriate reminder to (most) politicians, here and everywhere:

"The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing."

Happy New Year !

Review and Forecast

2005-12-29T14:26:00.000+08:00

More than in other countries, Christmas in the Philippines is a time to rest, to enjoy life with the family and, above all, to be harmonious. It is not the season of politics, much less a time for politicking. As a result, newspapers, television and radio shows are pretty bloodless, in a political sense. This context may also explain the lack of updates on this site.

The New Year just around the corner, it is a good opportunity to look back and also look forward. In a political review, 2005 was a horrific year for the Philippines. The legitimacy issue of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (GMA) has split the political class right down the middle - and with it great parts of Philippine society.

Listening to political debates, at times I started to worry whether the country was heading towards civil war. Quite fortunately, the conflict never escalated to that stage. Maybe, in hindsight, this peacefulness is the only positive aspect of the enduring political crisis.

Arguably the most remarkable political development in 2005 has been the comeback of GMA. Those who prematurely (and repeatedly) wrote her off have lost political credibility. They underestimated their political foe. Strategically, this is a fatal blunder on the side of the disunited opposition. More than her own doings, the opposition’s weakness has helped the president get back on her feet and pretend as if all is in order, as if nothing has happened.

More so than in 2005, GMA will be the master of the political scene in the New Year. She will attend to the matters of state, and leave it to her handlers and allies to fight it out with all those who question her rule.

One should expect that the disunited opposition may once more try to impeach the president in Congress. That is a legitimate effort. Whether it will lead to the desired result is a different matter all together. With general elections due in 2007 (and a constitutional referendum possibly around the corner), the opposition would be well advised to get ready for a showdown at the polls as soon as possible.

If indeed the Filipino people are as disgusted with the president as the oppositionists and pollsters say, it should be an easy win for all those running under the Bash-GMA banner.

tags philippines politics GMA elections

Downgrade

2005-12-21T15:31:00.000+08:00

Filpinos have become used to demotions in international surveys. Usually, these are related to the economy, particularly the credit ratings. Sadly, we must now add a political downgrade: The negative status change in the annual “Freedom in the World”-report from “free” to “partly free” may be termed a kick in the face for a nation that has been celebrated as a beacon of democracy in Asia and beyond.

That not all is well with Philippine democracy is no secret. To characterize the deficiencies, political scientists have coined the term “illiberal democracy” and applied it also to the Philippines.

In the essay published together with the empirical data, Freedom House calls the Philippine downgrade “the most significant development.” They say that the decision to relegate the country from "free" to “partly free” (together with Thailand and Guyana) is “based on credible allegations of massive electoral fraud, corruption, and the government’s intimidation of elements in the political opposition.”

Add to all this the killings of journalists and leftist activists and the picture of the Philippine political culture is indeed far from rosy.

The government has repeatedly shown notable concern to please foreign economic rating institutes and initiated various reforms in the financial sector. Let’s hope it takes the political downgrade just as seriously and pushes for long overdue political reforms.

tags philippines politics illiberal Freedom House

Win-Win for Gloria

2005-12-20T16:28:00.000+08:00

One may not like the President of the Philippine Republic, and pollsters tell us nearly two thirds of the people have little if any sympathy for their supreme leader. But nobody would question her capability of political agenda setting. From being near the very bottom just half a year ago, GMA has managed an extraordinary political comeback. Today, once more, she seems to be under full control.

The central element in the political survival plan of the President is charter change. The President has given her political blessing to the constitutional reform, and others are doing the nitty-gritty job of securing majorities. While her political foes and allies are fighting over the details of the new basic law, GMA may lay back and enjoy the spectacle knowing that whatever the outcome she will be safe. It is a classical win-win situation for Gloria.

This point was brought back to me in the commentary of Federico Pascual in today’s The Star newspaper:

“If the people will not approve of the Con Com proposal, GMA stays. If the people approves (with the full campaign support of politicians who want a free ride extension), GMA stays longer. Either way, GMA’s term is not cut short.”

And the commentary concludes: Tuloy ang ligaya, or: The fun goes on.

Unfortunately, it’s not that funny after all.

No to No El (No Elections)

2005-12-19T15:35:00.000+08:00

The proposed scraping of the 2007 general elections contained in the transitory provisions of the Consultative Commission’s (ConCom) report for the amendment of the Philippine constitution is at the very best a bizarre idea. Assuming that the intention of constitutional reform is improving the democratic quality of government, then abolishing elections, the heart and substance of democracy, could be called the wrong strategy.

But the very assumption is contentious. At the outset of the Charter Change (Cha Cha) debate many Filipinos question the sincerity of the president’s intentions. To quote Amando Doronila in today’s Philippine Daily Inquirer, the project is “an ill-disguised subterfuge to keep her in power until 2010.” This position has become a mantra of GMA-foes of various colors.

On the other side, the offer of a “free” three-year term may be just too tempting for many congressmen and women as well as other elected leaders. Still, expect those waiting in line and already preparing their 2007 candidacy to resist vehemently. These aspiring leaders will be joined by many a vice major and vice governor who just can’t wait to get a shot at the top job. And don’t forget the Senators who haven’t only fundamental political reservations. They would have a hard time to accept status degradation to a simple parliamentarian anyway.

Last but not least in the long list of those who eventually will say “No” to “No Elections” is the most important constituency of all: the people. While most Filipinos make no secret of their revulsion of the political class, I have won the impression that most seem to enjoy the handouts and the circus generally associated with political elections in the Philippine “democraczy.” This said, they will vote for and not against more elections.

In conclusion: While the president has been underestimated by many many times, this time I wouldn’t bet at dime that her No El-proposal will be implemented. The Lower House may say yes, but hardly the Senate. In the end, the plan would have to be presented to the people for popular approval in a referendum.

If the president is really as unpopular as myriad opinion polls make believe, then her ambitious charter change proposal would be doomed anyway.

Koreans in the Philippines

2005-12-16T15:48:00.000+08:00

Before moving to the Philippines in 2002, I spent six years in South Korea. There I did basically the same I am trying to do here: promote liberal politics.

Coming from Korea, where I spent tremendously interesting and also formative times, I was receptive to the Korean presence in the Philippines from the beginning. This presence I find conspicuous and also dynamic: I go on holidays in the Philippines, and most other foreigners I meet are usually Koreans. Korean restaurants are found in all parts of the country, they are among my favorite eateries.

I have always wanted to put to paper my impressions and information concerning the Koreans in the Philippines. On the occasion of the state visit of the South Korean President Roh, Moo-hyun to Manila (14.-16. 12. 2005) I finally found a suitable occasion. Appropriately newspapers in both Manila and Seoul published my commentary entitled “The ‘Korean wave’ in the Philippines”.

There I write that bilateral relations reach far beyond the formal diplomatic level, as “migratory patterns” have become an important aspect. For me the most fascinating facet of Philippine-Korean relations is the immigration of South Koreans to the Philippines. While many Filipinos are doing what is in their power to turn the back on their country (and 8 million OFWs are already earning a living overseas) a growing number of South Koreans have found a new home away from home in the Philippines.

I invite you to read my article to find out why.

tags philippines south korea koreans migration

Garci, Con Com, Cha Cha

2005-12-14T13:30:00.000+08:00

This time, I didn’t bother to watch the live coverage of the House of Representatives hearings on the wiretapping scandal. Reading today’s newspapers, I think this was a wise decision as nothing new came out of it. It even seems that most administration parliamentarians (and they control a huge majority) have written off the whole matter.

Meanwhile far more substantive political discussions have been held in the Constitutional Commission (Con Com) which is posed to submit to the president by the end of this week recommendations for a new Philippine constitution to replace the 1987 basic law.

Compared to the media exposure of the “Hello Garci” hearings, the discussions in the Constitutional Commission have received at best secondary public attention. I also have the sense, that many members of the political class and the political parties are not particularly interested in the charter change debate. Not a few Filipinos I have talked to see the whole project as just another ploy of the president to divert public attention away from the ongoing political crisis.

I don’t think this is a fair assessment: GMA could happily continue her term to the very end without changing the constitution. Other well known gentlemen are pressing for amendments, and their motives are not exclusively altruistic.

That charter change doesn’t top the people’s priorities has once more been revealed in a recent Pulse Asia survey. Two highlights only:

- nearly seven in ten Filipinos (68 %) say they do not know enough about the existing constitution
- six in ten (60 %) are not in favor of shifting from a presidential to a parliamentary form of government.

Conclusion: Much convincing (should we call it civic education?) is needed before cha cha becomes reality.

Human Rights and Development

2005-12-12T17:37:00.000+08:00

In commemoration of World Human Rights Day, the Philippine Working Group for an ASEAN Human Rights Mechanism held its annual Kapihan on the Human Rights Situation Today in Quezon City this Monday. I was invited to deliver a special message. I appreciate this invitation as it allowed me to network with civil society groups and also gather first-hand information on an issue close to the heart (and mind) of every liberal.

What I heard regarding the state of human rights in the Philippines is hardly encouraging. While the speakers acknowledged a new openness in ASEAN to push for a regional human rights mechanism, the Philippine speakers said that in their own country things are not getting any better at all. One concern is the seemingly endless series of political killings targeting left-wing activists and journalists in the country-side. Some speakers accused the government of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo of hardening its position vis-à-vis the opposition and sacrificing civil liberties to stay in power.

Speakers also challenged the government’s optimism regarding the economy. They claimed the opposite is the case and said a majority of Filipinos was worse off today than some years ago.

Listening to the highly critical accounts of civil society leaders and comparing these with reports I get from the other side, it became apparent to me once more how divided the Philippine society is even if it comes to an analysis of the basic conditions prevailing in the country.

In my greeting, I highlighted two liberal essentials:

First, human rights are universal. Expressing solidarity and support for victims of rights violations is not only legitimate but mandated, also in an international setting. Second, the human rights issue is basically political. While I appreciate that in a country with mass poverty like the Philippines, human rights activists advocate social and economic rights (the so called second generation rights), abundant empirical data show that the key to economic and social development lies in safeguarding the respect for the political and civil human rights (the so called first generation human rights).

My conclusion: Before Filipinos do not rid themselves of corruption and impunity and at the same time strengthen their political institutions all the talk of social and economic progress will remain baseless.

Politicization

2005-12-09T15:12:00.000+08:00

Yesterday, I lamented that the politicization of the wiretapping scandal in the Philippines is a virtual guarantee that no final verdict and, therefore, no closure could be expected anytime soon.

I had discussed this point with some Filipino friends the other night (all of them anti-GMA) and they said the fact that the prosecution has refrained from initiating criminal investigations demonstrates that the government is avoiding a legal solution.

According to Jarius Bondoc in The Philippine Star (9. 12. 2005) not only the administration but also the opposition is responsible for the politicization of what – in my eyes – is first and foremost a legal matter. This is what the commentator writes:

“That there was lying, cheating and stealing in the polls, as opponents accuse Ms Arroyo, is highly probable. But that the accusers brought their case first to the streets and only on second thought to the impeachment hall, yet never to the criminal court, betrayed their motive. They were themselves liars, cheaters and stealers out to grab power and not to serve justice. People know it and thus did not join street demonstrations.”

Wrong Priorities

2005-12-08T10:36:00.000+08:00

Those who had expected yesterday’s hearing in the House of Representatives to bring closure to the wiretapping affair have been proven wrong. Various scenarios are peddled after former elections commissioner Virgillo Garcillano’s testimony at the lower house of Congress. According to one Liberal parliamentarian, the hearings are nothing but an exercise of obfuscation. His Party leader (and Senate President) Franklin Drilon argued that Mr. Garcillano’s testimony “has opened more doors rather than closed a chapter.”

The scandal is evolving to a seemingly endless affair. Now we hear the nation will be treated to three new tapes.

I spent Wednesday morning glued to the television set in our office in Makati City. I invited my colleagues to join, but they said they have more important things to do. After lunch, I had seen and heard enough. Probably the legalistic arguments and hairsplitting of lawyers turned politicians (or witness) had tired me. All the talk reminded me that, after all, this is primarily a legal issue. The alleged wiretappings and manipulations of the vote are criminal offenses. On the other hand, their politicization is a virtual guarantee that no final verdict may be expected any time soon.

Filipinos I talked to called the exercise in parliament a waste of time. Their frustration is based on the assumption that nothing (good) will come out of the process.

My personal frustration is different: Let the legislators investigate as much as they want. But at the same time they should not forget the root cause of the turmoil - the outdated electoral system which is open to manipulation and rigging. As I have argued in a commentary some months ago, the antiquated way elections are conducted in the Philippines, is the mother of all evil.

As long as the democratic state cannot safeguard clean elections, the sovereign’s will be at the mercy of so called operators and other criminal manipulators. The fact that the political class is collectively not pushing for electoral reform, indicates that in the end of the day many are comfortable with the status quo. Cynics may call this indirect collusion, I would prefer to speak of wrong priorities.

Party Mates

2005-12-07T09:42:00.000+08:00

By chance, I zapped into an interesting TV-debate yesterday evening on ANC-News Channel. Joining host Pia Hontiveros on her weekly “Strictly Politics”- talk show were two political friends, DENR-Secretary Mike Defensor and former Undersecretary of Education Chito Gascon. Will it all be over by Christmas?, was the tricky question the two fine gentlemen were asked to answer. Hardly surprising, Mike was inclined to answer in the affirmative, while Chito asserted that the anti-GMA forces, of which he is an intellectual leader, will not surrender any time soon.

Had I been a newcomer to this country’s unpredictable domestic politics I would have assumed that Mike and Chito were the worst political foes. This is not to say that the conduct of the debate was hostile, actually the opposite could be said. I am referring to the substance of the arguments: While Mike defended the President in an eloquence only he possesses, Chito argued with rhetorical skill that his group would pursue its campaign against GMA till the very end.

In this issue Mike and Chito could hardly be further apart. They personalize the black and white divide that has split Philippine society (and the political class). Not the slightest indication of a political compromise became apparent in this debate. This is all the more surprising and disappointing as Mike and Chito are actually members of the same political family. These articulate and charismatic young leaders are both members of the Liberal Party. Their partisan affiliation was not an issue that evening.

This omission (also of the moderator) is a reflection of two phenomena of Philippine politics today: First, members of the liberal camp do not speak with one tongue in an important matter of the state (they actually have agreed to disagree in this crucial affair). Second, on a more general note, the role of political parties in the ongoing crisis has further diminished. This is detrimental for the consolidation of Philippine democracy.

Garci Bombs

2005-12-06T13:56:00.000+08:00

Everybody seems to agree in at least one point: The political crisis in the Philippines has simmered down after the failure of the impeachment in the House of Representatives. While the opposition has tried to keep the (il)legitimacy issue of GMA’s presidency alive and continues to challenge her rule, the President and her allies claim that the country is back to business as usual. In a commentary, I explain what may be called the extraordinary political resilience of the President. If you have a closer look, this is only partly her own doing. GMA’s major strong point is the weakness of her opponents, who lack unity, leadership, a concept, not to mention a strategy.

A new chapter in this drama is just unfolding as Virgilio Garcillano who has been accused of colluding with the President to rig the May 2004 elections has entered the stage from his hideout in Mindanao. The circumstances of his emergence are worthy of a political thriller. Garci, as the maligned former elections commissioner has been christened by the public, is expected to testify at a joint committee hearing of the House of Representatives this Wednesday (December 7, 2005). His strategy has two components: denial (that he conspired with GMA to rig the vote) and counter-attack: Turning the tables, Garcillano’s lawyer has suggested that several of the President’s political foes have also spoken to the former elections commissioner during the 2004 polls. This is aimed at questioning the moral authority of the President’s foes.

Is the Philippine political class heading towards a political bloodbath or will it all end with a grand cover-up? Whatever the outcome of the ongoing drama, I don’t see closure anytime soon.

El Nido

2005-12-04T21:28:00.000+08:00

Once more, I’ll have to mention my 50.birthday. For apart from the Ipod nano (this wonderful little toy) my wife also treated me to unforgettable days in El Nido – a true paradise in the very north of the Philippine island province Palawan. This is not a travelogue, but the natural beauty of El Nido is so spectacular that I feel an urge to share with you my fascination. I have been around quite a lot in Asia and also in other parts of the world, but – quite honestly – I have yet to see anything as beautiful as the maritime scenery of this bay with its 45 islands and islets. “Words cannot describe the beauty of this place,” writes a recent visitor, and I agree. So, if you enjoy beautiful nature, this place is a must.

Apart from the Korean honeymooners who also in this part of the Philippines have become the foundation of the tourism industry (one of the positive side effects of this is that everywhere you go, you will find kimchi even for breakfast!), I met up with a young Filipino banker who had emigrated to Canada and had just returned for his wedding. As is often the case when I meet Philippine professionals, we ended up discussing politics. This young fellow was rather depressed. “Nothing in the political system will change,” he said trying to explain why he had turned his back on the Philippines. That same day, the media reported that according to a recent survey 23 percent of Filipinos deem their country is “hopeless.”

My hope is that they are wrong.

tags philippines el nido environment

Tips from an Aging Beginner

2005-11-29T23:24:00.000+08:00

The other day, I turned fifty. I spent some wonderful moments with my family, and friends we have made since moving to Manila nearly four years ago. Don’t worry,
I am not mentioning my birthday to solicit your belated notes of congratulations. This is about getting older. My age, and all that goes with it, has become an incentive to exert special efforts to stay in touch with technological developments. These have been particularly dazzling in the fields of media and communications.

While in many parts of the world younger members of society (I can see this with my 18-year nephew in Germany) are exposed to the products of technological progress on an almost daily basis, as one grows older one has to pro-actively seek and make special efforts to stay in touch with technology’s advances.

As a journalist with a professional interest in political communications, I am fascinated by the impact and also the potential of the digital media. A few weeks ago, I facilitated a workshop for communications workers of Asian liberal political parties entitled “Political Parties and the Internet.” The one-week affair was co-sponsored by the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD) and help in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. For me, preparing for the workshop was an opportunity to seriously look into blogging.

There are tons of related materials on the Internet and also various printed publications. Beyond the online research and the ultimate (and time consuming) method of “learning by doing”, I wish to recommend two sources for new (pastime) bloogers.

While a bit out-of-date, I found Rebecca Blood’s “The Weblog Handbook” very useful and full of practical tips. She also gives an interesting history of the origins of the blogs which started out as rather simple collections of links. After reading the book you will probably spend hours and hours surfing the net, checking out blogging software and scrutinizing existing online journals. There is probably no better way to get started than to do just that.

If you have already posted your own blog, which in any case should be a stimulating experience, you should check out the “usability”-study by Jakob Nielsen. In a recent paper, Nielsen describes “The Top Ten Design Mistakes” of weblogs. Among the “mistakes” Nielsen mentions is – mea culpa – the “unregular publishing frequency,” which, of course, should be avoided in favor of a publication schedule which one should stick to.

Nielsen also recommends getting (buying) an own domain-name. Weblog addresses ending in blogspot.com or typepad.com, are for him “the mark of a naïve beginner who shouldn’t be taken too seriuosuly.”

Harsh words, I think, maybe even too harsh.

In the mean time, I will see how this writing and publishing project of mine develops. Should I manage to stick to a regular schedule – as Nielsen and others advise – I would consider migrating to an own domain. Until then, I am grateful to Blogger.com for their all inclusive and extremely user friendly services. Salamat po!

P.S.: Speaking of my birthday, one of the many presents my dear wife gave me was an Ipod Nano . I’ve been busy checking out all the features of this little wonder machine. Of course, I have also downloaded various political podcasts. As a former radio editor (and acting freelance radio reporter) I am thrilled to see the revival of (digital) audio. I am actually contemplating to start my own little podcast, if not for the sole reason but to stay in touch with technological progress.

tags blogging beginner tips journalism

My Focus

2005-11-27T21:36:00.000+08:00

Thus far, this project didn’t turn out as I had anticipated. When I started this blog some weeks ago, I had planned to keep it running with regular updates - maybe with two additions a week, to give you an idea. But then, other priorities in the office and an illness struck this ambition down. Things at work have cooled down (I am actually taking a week off just now) and, also, I feel healthy again. Therefore, I haven’t given up on my earlier plan.

Time constraints and conflicting priorities are probably the main stumbling blocks for many pastime bloggers like myself. A second major problem for those starting to write a personal online journal, I would argue, is to know what you will be writing about. While there are 1001 subjects one could dwell on, finding the topic that is both relevant and interesting (from a personal perspective) remains a challenge.

For me, this has not been a problem. As my entire professional life has had to do with politics, writing and dealing with politics has long become a passion.

The focus of this journal is politics – liberal politics, as I have explained earlier. While I am often tempted to use information I have access to through the political work I engage in in the Philippines (I feel privileged to be privy to many bits and pieces of information that hardly ever see the day of light), this would not only be improper but also in breach of my employer’s policies.

This said, don’t expect to read in these pages informal news and “secrets” from what is often termed the wider liberal family. I intend, instead, to focus on a more general note on issues relevant to liberal politics in the Philippines and beyond, and discuss and analyze them from a liberal point of view. This shall be my focus.

The freest and most liberal communications tool

2005-11-05T23:00:00.000+08:00

For some while, I had played with the idea to create my own blog. A journalist by profession, I enjoy writing (although doing this in English, which is not my native language, remains a challenge). I also like sharing information and thoughts with others.

Numerous ways exist to do just that: Ever since I left my editor's job at Radio Deutsche Welle in Cologne some ten years ago, I considered the media an important avenue for my liberal advocacy. This is not the point to discuss the merits and shortcomings of the various conventional media (radio, television and print) as tools of political communications. Instead, I wish to highlight that the digital media - and foremost the ever expanding blogs - have opened totally new avenues of communications, thereby effectively democratizing and liberalizing how millions of individuals communicate today.

No other communications tool gives us the possibilty to express ourselves more freely than the blog. While empowering the individual and enhancing creativity, blogs also offer space and techniques for digital socializing and community building.

So far at least, the blogosphere seems free of politcal intervention and censorship. It is void of gatekeepers. Blogs are - in short - the freest and, therefore, most liberal of all communications tools. To top all this: for the author, no medium is cheaper than a weblog.

With these advantages, expect the blogger movement's advance to continue: last time I checked, technorati listed more than twenty million published weblogs. This is about three times more than at the beginning of 2005.

So join the bandwaggon! It's fun, educative - and, if you have something to say, your message might even find an audience...

tags blogging democracy liberalism journalism

Why liberal?

2005-11-04T19:01:00.000+08:00

I can think of hardly a term as controversial as "liberal." For ideological foes, and they are not a few, liberalism-bashing is en vogue; they misuse the term as a four letter word. Disturbingly, the epicenter of the ideological onslaught is found in the United States, whose history (with some major exceptions) may be termed a liberal success story.

When North Americans and Europeans meet they usually have varying ideas about liberalism. What for most people is merely a matter of definitions and linguistics, for me has always been a major professional challenge. I earn my life working for an institute whose main objective is the promotion of liberalism both at home (Germany) and abroad.

I have developed a definition of the basics of liberalism some years ago. Liberals, as a matter of principle, abhor thinking in terms of black and white, they tend to ask many critical questions before they come up with solutions. Necessarily, this mind set and ideological openness has also led to what may be termed liberal confusion.

But, then, this site is not aimed at spreading confusion. I intend to post comments and thoughts on political matters from a liberal vantage point. As a resident of the Philippines, expect most of the entries to deal with Philippine politics - a profoundly confusing topic, and often also depressing. But politics Filipino style is also fascinating. I can think of hardly any other society that is as transparent regarding domestic politics as is the Philippines.