Former Vice President Salvador Laurel in 1989 noted that “Federalism rests on the principle that the smallest unit of government knows what is best for its constituent needs. Decisions should, therefore, be made by the local, municipal,... more
Former Vice President Salvador Laurel in 1989 noted that “Federalism rests on the principle that the smallest unit of government knows what is best for its constituent needs. Decisions should, therefore, be made by the local, municipal, provincial, city or regional levels of governments, because they know best who need help and how to help them.” Federalism would allow regions to create solutions to their own problems as elected officials are closer to their districts and will better represent their interests. While some autonomy has been afforded LGUs, it is mainly administrative, not economic.
This chapter examines the emergence of the political ringtone in the Philippines in the neoliberal era. It argues that the popularity of the “Hello Garci” and “Sorry Po” ringtones in the midst of the Arroyo election scandal signaled the... more
This chapter examines the emergence of the political ringtone in the Philippines in the neoliberal era. It argues that the popularity of the “Hello Garci” and “Sorry Po” ringtones in the midst of the Arroyo election scandal signaled the convergence of significant transformations in technology, culture, and politics in the Philippines that began in the mid-1990s. By focusing on the work of TXTPower, a Manila-based consumer and citizen advocacy group for mobile phone users and political opposition to the Arroyo administration, it also contends that these transformations indicate that neoliberalism does not constitute a refashioning of liberal
democratic institutions, but a threat to them.
This essay examines the position of political science as a discipline during the Marcos dictatorship. It explores the variations in political scientists' approach to Marcos. Some
The study is about the dynamics among the actors in the making of the Foreign Bank Liberalization Act or Republic Act 7721. The central issue in the legislation was whether to have a restricted or extensive liberalization of the banking... more
The study is about the dynamics among the actors in the making of the Foreign Bank Liberalization Act or Republic Act 7721. The central issue in the legislation was whether to have a restricted or extensive liberalization of the banking sector. The policy divide was between the Senate-BSP-BAP-resident foreign banks’ bloc, which was advocating for a single-mode of entry for foreign banks, and the House-FCCP-the rural-development banks-the academic-business-consumer groups’ bloc, which was endorsing a multiple-mode of entry for foreign banks. The Senate-BSP-BAP-resident foreign banks’ bloc prevailed since their bloc benefited from three intertwined factors in the legislation process. First, the inevitability of the liberalization of the banking sector left the domestic commercial banks with no recourse but to take an all-out effort to push for a limited liberalization law. Second, the Senate-BSP-BAP-resident foreign banks’ bloc was aided by the collective action dilemma among the actors. And third, the internal dynamics among the members of the Senate and the House made it very difficult for the former and tolerable for the latter to compromise.
This article examines the link between the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the Duterte Administration’s appeasement policy on China. Relative to the South China Sea dispute, China uses the BRI as a means to ease and stabilize its... more
This article examines the link between the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the Duterte Administration’s appeasement policy on China. Relative to the South China Sea dispute, China uses the BRI as a means to ease and stabilize its strained relations with claimant countries like the Philippines. The BRI has enabled China to influence the Philippines in changing its policy on Chinese maritime expansion in the South China Sea. Lured by the BRI, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte is undoing his predecessor’s policy of balancing China’s expansive claim in the disputed waters. Based on his calculation, the Philippines will benefit from the BRI initiative—particularly in the revival of the maritime silk route—as it dovetails with his administration’s massive infrastructure build-up program. In conclusion, the article contends that President Duterte is convinced that his appeasement policy toward China is worth pursuing because it makes the Philippines a beneficiary of the BRI. However, 3 years into his term, he has yet to see the implementation of BRI-funded infrastructure projects, which have been delayed by technical problems, the Philippine military, and the Filipino people’s distrust of China because of the South China Sea issue in particular, and its behavior as emergent power in East Asia in general.
In a region where violence (criminal and political) is part of the local history, Mr Duterte's approach was widely supported. However, beyond the tough, warrior-like front, he has also cultivated another persona - as a peacemaker. And... more
In a region where violence (criminal and political) is part of the local history, Mr Duterte's approach was widely supported. However, beyond the tough, warrior-like front, he has also cultivated another persona - as a peacemaker. And ironically, he is possibly one of the best hopes for lasting peace in the Philippines.
