Twenty years after people power asserted itself to oust the Marcos dictatorship, Dr Lesley Clark finds that Philippinos are still fighting for democracy.

Date:  15 March 2007

Clark visited the Philippines to work with current and future women political leaders in a joint program with the progressive National Democratic Institute (NDI) for International Affairs (see this issue). During that time she also met with key member-parties of Philippines' centre-left.

Philippines politics is still characterized by the powerful "trapos" - traditional politicians - who use "guns, goons and gold" to gain power. President Gloria Macapagal- Arroyo (GMA) has beaten two attempts to impeach her over electoral fraud scandals stemming from the 2004 election. Yet her term of office has been marked by accusations of human rights abuses, political killings and politicization of key areas of the bureaucracy.

During her visit, Dr Clark met with representatives of the Liberal Party, Philippines Democratic Socialist Party (PDSP) and Akbayan Citizens Action Party, and described the discussions as extremely valuable and productive.

Clark reports that the role of the social democratic parties reflects the more fluid nature of Philippines politics with Akbayan! mounting a very strong campaign opposing the current administration and putting forward progressive policies for good governance and working people. By contrast Bert Gonzales, leader of the well established Partido Demokratiko-Sosyalista ng Pilipinas (PDSP), was appointed as the President's National Security Advisor. PDSP maintains it is able to play a moderating role while at the same time fostering Aksyon Sambayanan - a mass social movement with progressive policies - in the lead-up to the forthcoming Congressional elections.

Dr Cark also attended the 61st anniversary celebrations of the Liberal Party which in the Philippines is a moderate centre party previously aligned with the Arroyo administration. The Liberals split from GMA last year following the allegations of election corruption against the president and the majority faction now opposes the administration. The Liberals have developed comprehensive policies to address the "broken" political system and deliver improved quality of life for ordinary Philippinos, rejecting money politics, family dynasties and personality cults that typify the "trapos" of both the opposition and administration parties. Yet in Philippines' fraught political environment, the Liberals are also facing an internal split.
The real test for politicians of all parties will be whether or not the national elections are a repeat of 2004 and again marred by violence and electoral fraud, said Clark.

Through the work of people like Lesley Clark, ALP International Projects will assist our counterparts in Philippines strengthen democracy by targeting political parties for training and capacity building
projects.