By Joy Aceron
TODAY, I will attend a funeral of a youth leader who worked concretely for reforms in the 2004 elections by campaigning for a presidential candidate who he thought embodied the hope for a new Philippines. I saw Malvin Ordeniza (1980-2009) worked earnestly in the 2004 campaigns because he believed that without reforms in 2004, he and the rest of his fellow youth would be a lost generation. Five years ago, he saw for himself how a flawed system of elections that is personality- and patronage-based ruled by money and violence robbed him of his future. Five years after, the governance the resulted from that flawed elections took away his life when he was not given his needed medical attention because he did not have the money to pay for it.
Reforms in 2010 are not ideas that are up there. Change that needs to happen in 2010 is not an abstract concept. It’s real. It costs and will cost lives of people. We must make change happen in 2010 or the likes of Malvin who believed in change and worked hard for what he believed in will perish; and our country will not only lose another generation, it will lose hope.
The Citizen Reform Agenda 2010
In the Philippines, we probably have the broadest, most dynamic and innovative reform work in the world; yet it is also probably the most ineffective in bringing about structural change, particularly these recent years. It is unfair to say that the reform movements are at fault. They are doing all they could but the prevailing political order, the patronage-based politics, is just too deep-seated in society. To have a chance of making a dent, the reform movements need to be a formidable force and they can only do so if they recognize their common interest and common agenda; and work together to transform politics.
This is a formidable task and it requires a lot from us. The Citizen Reform Agenda 2010 is our humble contribution to this cause. There is no way that this space alone can transform the reform movements into a formidable force, but it is a key process in making that happen. The agent, the person, the one who will be the leader, is critical, especially for us Filipinos. But the reform agenda we want, the issues we find most critical, that's the soul of our struggle. That's what will endure. Hence, efforts like this must be undertaken, though it is hard and tedious.
This is a space and a process for bringing together the reform groups and linking their advocacies to a key political process, the elections in 2010. It also serves as a mechanism to fill up the gap of underperforming political parties that are supposed to be doing the interest-aggregation and agenda formulation. It also aims to promote issue-based and platform-oriented elections in 2010.
First, we had to look back to the past and know the previous reform agenda and issues. Second, we had series of consultations and consensus-building inviting the broadest possible representation of the reform movements in the Philippines. We had the process of review and finalization of key agenda and issues involving the participating citizen organizations. Finally, we presented the reform agenda and issues of the citizens to the public.
The next phase for CReforms 2010 is to engage the candidates and political parties; as well as the public. But to effectively do this, we must also engage a critical player that mediates the message and the messenger, the media. The ASoG has partnered with the biggest networks in the country to aid in the dissemination of the citizen reform agenda and issues and in promoting issue-based politics in 2010.
The CReforms 2010 was able to engage about a hundred citizen organizations. They are from different persuasions ideologically, politically and even meta-physically. They are working on different development themes of CReforms 2010. There were some of these groups who would never attend the same event, but they were able to get pass that. These are reform-oriented and progressive groups with different background and varying perspectives.
The outputs of this process are the key reform agenda and issues on Anti-Corruption, Political and Electoral Reform, Environment and Sustainable Development, Local Governance and Human Development (Education, Employment, Housing and Health).
These development areas do not at all encompass the entire development or reform areas; but we selected these for a simple and practical reason that the School and our key partners have solid work and expertise in these areas. Furthermore, other groups are very active consolidating the agenda on other areas like poverty reduction, economic development and peace.
These key reform agenda and issues identified during the consultation and consensus-building process are developed into Agenda Papers, which the participating groups and organizations would hopefully use in engaging the platform-development of candidates and political parties. Finally, a covenant for reforms entitled “We Will Make Change Happen in 2010” on an audio-visual presentation (available through YouTube) is prepared to be an instrument for CReforms 2010 to engage the candidates and political parties in the 2010 elections by soliciting their commitment to the covenant and response to the key agenda and issues in the CReforms 2010 Agenda Papers.
Key Reform Agenda and Issues
The agenda on anti-corruption calls for the promotion of a culture of transparency and openness in government by providing the public access to information and avenues to participate in governance. It also calls on the professionalization of the bureaucracy, the strengthening of the autonomy and accountability of local government units and the reforms in the justice system.
The agenda on political and electoral reform include the implementation of the constitutional provision banning political dynasties, the strengthening of the political party system and the reform of the Sanggunian Kabataan (SK) as vehicle for youth participation in democratic governance. It also includes the call to consider Constitutional reforms such as federalism to expand local initiatives, shift to a parliamentary system to broaden people’s participation in legislation and governance and limiting the role of COMELEC to election administration by defining a separate system to handle election protests.
Key reform agenda on local governance that would ensure substantive decentralization include four main points: (1) More devolution and autonomy from the national government through a policy review on the Local Government Code of 1991; (2) Installation of a more equitable system of local finance management that effectively equips local governments of resources for their service-delivery and administrative needs; (3) Substantive constitutional reform that explores federalism as a viable political framework in empowering local government units and decentralizing political power; and, (4) Strengthening transparency and accountability mechanisms for local government units that equal the power that is devolved to them.
The agenda on human development calls for a development of a strong domestic economy that respects labor rights; the installation of quality and accessible education; public access to healthcare services; and the improvement of housing program implementation with emphasis on the respect for human rights.
Lastly, the agenda on environment and sustainable development calls for the adoption of Philippine Agenda 21 as an alternative sustainable development framework; structural reforms on environmental laws and implementing government agencies such as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources; a sustainable ecological management that will enable the restoration of forests and biodiversity; and the development of a comprehensive plan to address the impact of climate change.
We call on the public to engage the candidates on these issues and the others they find most critical. Let us “reclaim our future by making the 2010 elections center on issues and platforms, not personalities; on principles, not money politics; on reforms, not patronage.” Most importantly, let us all work for reforms in 2010 because it means saving lives and giving hope a chance once more.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Joy Aceron is Instructor at the Political Science Department of the Ateneo de Manila University and concurrently the Associate Director of Center for Social Policy of the Ateneo School of Government heading Government Watch and Political Democracy and Reforms (PODER).
Reforms in 2010 Means Saving Lives and Giving Hope
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I was with a taxi driver at tinatahak namin ang kahabaan ng Magsasay hi way sa Davao City. Nagkwentuhan kami about sa mga presidentiables. Sabi ni manong driver, ERAP pa rin daw siya. Tanong ko sa kanya, kahit na ba sugarol, babaero at baluktot magplano si erap? sabi niya mas madali daw ibigay ni erap ang kahilingan ng mahihirap na tulad niya. Suddenly i did my reflection... Ganito na ba ka kitid at ganito na ba ka tamad tayong mga pinoy ngayon? at ganito na rin ba tayo ka baluktot mag isip? sana naman may delikadeza sana si erap
Reforms in 2010 ? How long have we waited and attempted for reforms throughout our democratic history. At last a glimpse of hope has again arrived in the presence of Noynoy Aquino. I know a lot of so called political experts and learned individual do not agree for what I stated. The qualification and capability of a candidate will again be discuss by so called experts in politics but hidden beneath are their self interests to obtain or grab power. I myself is just a lay person but I just have a fundamental statement to discuss. Since I could remember there were so many qualified candidates have ruled our country, Many are brilliant legislator, educated and unquestionable intelligence and social stature. But up to this time our country is a dismal failure due to one fundamental problem that plaque our country. "CORRUPTION".For all the short comings of NOYNOY, the masses sees a glimmer of hope. The unquestionable integrity of NOYNOY. To those critics who wants to play as spoiler, it is time to shut your mouth and give NOYNOY a chance.
Lagi kong iniisip na bakit lubha tayong laging hirap na makita and kasagutan sa (persisting) problema ng ating bansa. Ang maging maayos ito, na ang maraming mamamayan ay hindi lubahang hikahos sa buhay, na makilalala ang bansang pilipinas sa pamamagitan ng mga lider na tutuong may pagmamahal dito. Para bagang talagang napakahirap tuloy na maintindihan ang problema. Sa aking pananaw ay dapat lang naman sanang simplehan lang ito e. Ang tutuong problema natin ay ang ating sarili lalung-lalo na ang mga namumuno! Dahil hindi naman talaga nila inisip ang bayan kundi sarili lamang; hindi naman talaga iniisip ang mamamayan kundi sarili lamang; makasarili ang halos lahat sa mga pilipino. Iyan ang talagang problema natin!
@james
you obviously know nothing about ERAP. You have been brainwashed by the media like me when I joined EDSA 2.
Magresearch ka muna sa political history ni Erap before you make such sweeping statements. Then you will realize kung gaano ka kitid ang utak mo dahil sa media.
ERAP para sa mahihirap!
I'm not Filipino and cannot comment on the political issues with much insight but I do feel very strongly that the largest obstacle that the Philippines needs to overcome is government corruption. Progress doesn't seem possible until that happens.
I hope the pollution problems in Manila can be fixed, and the health-care. These are important factors in rescuing Filipinos out of poverty and, as you said, giving them hope. But the government corruption has to be eliminated, and that's no easy task.
I agree that voters should consider platforms of candidates but how many times have we proven that platforms remain as they are- written, talked about and nothing more. Once elected, politicians forget about them. I'd rather look into the CHARACTER - integrity, selflessness, simplicity- of the person and of his family. After all, it is one thing that lasts and will determine how he will lead.
Ano pa ba ang evidence na hinahanap natin para mapatunayan na si Erap ay di karapat-dapat na maging presidente ng Pilipinas.
Ang kapatid ng bisyong sugarol ay pagnanakaw at corruption. Kung wala kanang itutustos saiyong pagsusugal siyempre ang gagawin niya ay mangurakot. Saan kukuha si erap ng milyon-milyon perang itinutustus niya sa kanyang bisyo. Huwag nating sabihin na may balon siya ng pera. Saan kumukuha si erap ng perang ginagamit na sa kanyang paglalakbay salamat sa buong pilipinas. Ang mga anak sa London nagaaaral maraming tinutustusang asawa. Mga kabayan na tagahanga ni erap please lang gumising kayo.
This commentary is very well articulated by Joy Aceron. I firmly believe that the principles she presented is very helpful; if not a way for the Filipino people to get out on the bondage they are in, right now. But the reality is: You can flood the country with such brilliant proposed solutions, and it will be nothing but a good poetic piece, written to impress the readers.
I am really sorry, but as long as the FILIPINO: Attitude/Character/Culture stays the same; there will be no hope for the country to achieve any ECONOMIC/POLITICAL stability for as long as this world exists.
Filipino Assets:
Garbage Culture - 360 years of Spanish influence (Boastful, Envious, Lazy, Vindictive, Spiritually ignorant etc…)
Politicians - 99% (Corrupt, Murderers, Self centered, Liars, etc…)
Voters - 80% (Stupid, Ignorant, and uninformed about the issues)
Can anybody tell me why would a country like the Philippines, will be able to recover from its problems with these record breaking IDIOCY created by its own people?
Can you guess how many Spanish speaking countries in the whole world that is POLITICALLY or ECONOMICALLY stable? How about ZERO? (Although Philippines is not a Spanish speaking country, this analogy is intended to parallel the influence of this rotten character to the Filipino people.)
The Alternatives:
Wake-up and change for the better right NOW, or prepare to suffer the consequences of ANARCHY.
I rest my case.
I dont think democracy is the kind of government that works for filipinos.. too many of us are blinded by false promises and short term gifts.. Siguro its time for a dictator ulit. I mean most people would say how about our freedom pero in reality ano naman ba ginagawa natin sa freedom wala naman katuturan.. wala kasi tayong disiplina. stupidity in the philippine public knows no bounds.. parang ang galing ng filipino when it comes to individual accomplishments pero paglahatan na wala ng nangyayari.
the wrath of typhoon ondoy served as the final exam for the graduating arroyo administration. what ondoy has proven is that arroyo adminstration is not making their homeworks. they dismally failed the exam and has to receive the “kalabasa” award. the typhoon proved them weak and as usual can not coup-up with disasters. even her military performed awfully helpless. their assets were no longer in plain view. this i am sure due to massive corruption committed by their generals. i could still recall during the golden days of the new society of whom they called corrupt as marcos. in disaster like this, the military could readily display thier amphibious equipment. but last saturday’s ondoy onslaught, they are nowhere to be found. i could readily conclude it is because of corruption. poor filipinos. because of their permissiveness, they suffer a bitter fate
i still have yet to see a concrete reform agenda but the one you presented, although generalized, may just be a good start.
question is: where do we start the reform process? how do you gather the people from the broad political spectrum, and gain their cooperation in the process? why are parliamentary government and federalism centerpiece of this reform movement? where is agrarian reform in the agenda?
how about reforms in the justice system, i dont see it on the agenda.
A reform agenda should be premised on a demand that candidates for office present their omprehensive platforms that will guide them in the delivery of the outcomes they promise to their constituents.
I lay out a seven-aspect framework for articulating presidential platforms here:
http://getrealphilippines.com/platformplez/matrix_2010.html
Without candidates' categorically stating their positions on these seven aspects, they give themselves freedom to be moving targets whenever the electorate attempts to query them on their *commitments* to their constituents. Candidates need to be pinned down into some kind of contract with the Filipino people. A published platform is a big step in that direction.
I am a volunteer for the Nicanor Perlas 2010 campaign and a member of the emerging Partido ng Marangal na Sambayanan (PANGMASA) party.
We're interested to engage your initiative as well as the Filipino people regarding a positive reform platform. We hope that your initiative would not fall prey to traditional politics like a lot of other similar initiatives.
From NP's Updated Philippine Agenda 21 framework for New Philippine Politics emerged a Strategic Agenda composed of 6 Pillars: 1) Poverty Eradication and Enhanced Quality of Life, 2) Advance Moral and Effective Governance, 3) Uphold Integrity of Creation, 4) Build Partnerships for Social Justice, 5) Promote Holistic Education and Inner Change, 6) Mainstream Visionary Initiatives. Details of this living party platform could still be improved upon; we hope that we can come up with the best reform agenda possible.
Tayong Lahat ay Perlas,
Nabighaning Puso
PS: Mrs. S. is a good friend and was my former AGS teacher, please give the Chairman and Mr. S., my fave guidance counselor, my warm regards.
Iboto natin ang mga mas batang politicians na may konteng hiya pag binatikos ng Masa.Ang mga Trapos maski tutukan mo ng baril magnanakaw parin, look sila ang mayayaman sa Pinas.Si Erap mag enjoy nalang kayo ni Enrile,mayayaman na kayo at konti nalang nalalabi sa buhay ninyo.Mag retire na kayo sa politics.
@bindoy.. think about this....
how many died in ORMOC during the 1991 tragedy?... 8000.. compare it 326(Ondoy Tragedy)... who was the president during that time, our Greatest and Beloved (that's what they said) President Corazon Aquino... yet a lot of people are still admiring her.. don't judge the administration through tragedies.. even makati was flooded.. Don't be fooled with the noise of the people or media..
I'm not pro-arroyo but I'm not blind and deaf..
Sinong presidenti ang nagpalakas ng peso at nagpababa pa rin ng utang ng Pilipinas kahit rinarally siya araw-araw? Can you name one?.. ako, isa lang ung alam ko, si Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.. Nagpapatunay lang yan na despite sa ingay ng politika, d sya nadidiscourage at nagtratrabaho pa rin. Sino ang gusto mong maging presidenti, ung mahal ng media? Tanungin mo ung constituents ng mga distrito o probinsyang hinawakan ni NOYNOY at CHIZ kung anong nagawa nila para sa kani-kanilang probinsya para malaman mo ang katotohanan...
If you want political reform, you have to change first how people make political decisions such as the way they choose political candidates.
@D
Tell us what do you know about ERAP from your own point of view.
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there are still large inequities in access and quality of health services across socioeconomic groups and regions. What should the poor individuals do ?Drug rehab Sacramento
The CReforms 2010 was able to engage about a hundred citizen organizations. They are from different persuasions ideologically, politically and even meta-physically. They are working on different development themes of CReforms 2010. There were some of these groups who would never attend the same event, but they were able to get pass that.
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I was with a taxi driver at tinatahak namin ang kahabaan ng Magsasay hi way sa Davao City.
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I'm not Filipino and cannot comment on the political issues with much insight but I do feel very strongly that the largest obstacle that the Philippines needs to overcome is government corruption. Progress doesn't seem possible until that happens. Ginault Watches
Yes the "We Will Make Change Happen in 2010" shall be a revolutionary initiative in order to make the sweeping changes needed for the philippines just as the likes of Husky Directory
Thanks for sharing the well written article.. let's hope the future is brighter than before..
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By working together and supporting each other, no task is difficult to achieve. The contributions of Malvin Ordeniza will not get wasted, if you all will come to work together for the reforms in Philippines.
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I admire what you have done here. Yes you are absolutely right for saving lives and giving hope its essential that agenda on human development calls for a development of a strong domestic economy that respects labor rights.
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