Philippines

1. Philippines

2. Philippines History • Both a Spanish and American Colony • Devastated by Japanese Occupation • Achieved Independence in 1946 • Ramon Magsaysay worked to further democracy and civil liberties but ultimately failed to unseat elite families and private armies by his death in 1957.

3. Philippines History • 1965 – 1986 – Ferdinand Marcos ruled as first President re-elected in post-colonial era – 1972 proclaimed martial law to avoid term limits and address Communist and Muslim insurgencies – mismanaged economy (crony capitalism) – abused civil rights – ran fraudulent elections – assassination of political rival Benigno Aquino – Defeated by his widow by People Power movement after 1986 elections contested • Corazon Aquino established civil liberties and democratic constitution but failed to address land reform or consolidate her victory into an institutionalized party – survived numerous coup attempts – Major natural disasters plagued this period including eruption of Mount Pinatubo, typhoons and tropical storms • 1992 - 1998 Fidel Ramos succeeded Aquino and enacted economic reforms and attempted to strengthen institutions at expense of dynastic families but ultimately was overwhelmed by circumstances • Joseph Estrada succeeded Ramos but was removed from power in 2001 by popular protests over corruption issues • His vice President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo moved into office, survived Oakland Mutiny and ran for re-election in 2004 – Concerns over personalism and oligarchic rule continued to plague the country including a false impeachment scheme to derail a legitimate attempt. • Benigno Aquino III became president in 2010

4. Institutions and Social Groups • Patron-Client Relations – Utang Na Loobindebtedness cements patronage relationships – Marcos took this to extremes – Ramos tried to strengthen institutions and laws – continues as a powerful force in Filipino politics • Constitutions – 1899 Malolos Constitution, 1935 Constitution based on U.S. Presidential Model, 1973 Constitution attempted to shift to parliamentary system under Marcos’ absolute stewardship, and 1986 Constitution shifted more power to democracy • The Legislature – 1986 constitution separated powers between executive and bicameral legislature that is dominated by major families • Political Parties – two party system from 1946-1972 – Liberal and Nacionalista parties – Marcos New Society Movement (KilusangBagongLipunan) was a non-competitive authoritarian party – UNIDO and LABAN supported Corazon Aquino’s ascendance to power but no permanent party formed around her. Personality dominates Presidential elections. • The Military – Military has been subordinate to civilian leadership though played a role in removing Marcos and some military members attempted coups during Aquino’s Presidency. Fidel Ramos is the sole military figure to hold the highest office. • Women – Traditional barriers have kept women out of politics – Aquino and Arroyo have played political roles because of family ties • The Church – Church has acted as an advocate for the poor and peaceful social change but stands in the way of family planning policies that could improve Filipinos standard of living

5. Institutions and Social Groups • Communist Insurgents – The Communist Party of the Philippines is the largest Communist Party in ASEAN apart from the parties in Vietnam and Laos – Oversees the New People’s Army including about 5,000 fighters throughout the archipelago – Amnesty Proclamation 1377 issued by Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo – Struggle continues • Moro Islamic Separatists – Moro National Liberation Front established in 1972 and gained recognition from Organization of the Islamic Conference in 1975 – 1984 leadership struggle produced the Moro Islamic Liberation Front – Abu Sayyaf – emerged during this time period as well – In 1996 Autonomous region in Muslim Mindano was established as part of peace settlement with MNLF – 9/11 brought U.S. interests into this equation – 2007 MNLF and MILF reconciled opening doors for political resolution with Arroyo government

6. Democratization • Philippine’s once known as Asia’s showcase of democracy • Dynastic families dominate the system and client patron relations have appeared to cement this dominance • Popular revolts throw corrupt leaders out, but dynastic families fill the gap maintaining oligarchic rule and failing to engage in needed reforms • In 2006, Reporters without Borders listed the Philippines as the second most dangerous country in which a journalist can work after Iraq

7. Economic Development • Compares poorly with Thailand – In mid 70s both countries had GDP per capita hovering around 300 dollars – In 2007 the Philippines had $1,192 per capita GDP and Thailand had $2,750 per capita. • War ravaged society with feudal structure adopted Import Substitution Strategy that benefited small group of financiers and industrialist connected to state leadership • Weak democratic institutions failed to redistribute income or create opportunities for the average Filipino • Export Oriented Industrialization continued to benefit well connected political families – a world oil crisis and attempts to address workers concerns created pressures for the removal of Marcos • The economy has improved since removal of Marcos, experiencing higher growth rates but was plagued by high oil prices, inflation, and the Asian Financial Crises • Filipinos sent 14 billion dollars home (10% of GDP) making the Philippines the 4th largest recipient of foreign remittances • After failure of Joseph Estrada, Gloria Arroyo implemented economic policies that have contributed to growth drawing in foreign capital and increasing the dynamism of the Philippine business community • Standard of living remains one of the lowest in Southeast Asia and country lags behind with Burma in meeting UN Millennium Development Goals

8. The Philippine State • Strong State pre-requisites include massive social dislocation, external support, and antisystemic insurgency • Personalistic nature of rule, ineffective leadership, and low capacity to meet people’s needs have weakened the state’s legitimacy

9. Foreign Policy • Filipino ambivalence about the United States as both exploiter and land of promise • Missteps in supporting Marcos were not completely healed by support of movement to remove Marcos • Subic Bay and Clark Air Force Base Controversy • Spratly Islands controversy and 2002 ASEAN and 2004 agreement with Vietnam and China to jointly explore for oil and natural gas has reduced tensions • 9/11 and activities of Abu Sayyaf and JemaahIslamiyah have brought Americans back into region through the Joint Special Operations Task Force Philippines (JSOTF-P). Possible return of the U.S. with military bases in South have raised controversy

10. Conclusion • Formally democratic • Informally oligarchic • Threats to legitimacy come from allegations of corruption, deteriorating standards of living, and possible challenges from the military • http://www.gov.ph/the-republic/the-president/benigno-simeon-cojuangco-aquino-iii/platform-of-government/