THE LANDSCAPE OF POLITICAL & ELECTORAL

REFORM AGENDA AND EFFORTS

Edna Estifania A. Co
3 December 2008
Imperial Palace Suites
1. Introduction
- “Magical 2010”

> Looking forward with enthusiasm, excitement,

anxiety & optimism all rolled into one

> Analysis & discernment on the landscape

of electoral and political agenda
2. Toward a discernment

Think Piece # 1 : The electoral system & political institutions

2.1. Comelec as the single most important institution authorized to

administer elections

- Suffers from an image problem

- Small steps of change over the past few months : open lines &
space to civil society, attempts to reconnect to the public & to the
media
- Faced with binds that restrict Comelec: range of functions vis-à-
vis insufficient capacity to take on the loads of assigned tasks,
political pressures that deflate the morale & autonomy of the
Commission
2.1. Political System

- Formal institutions that are poorly functional (political parties,

party list system in an increasing way, system of campaigning that
fails to connect candidates & issues in a substantial way, etc.)

- Little confidence on a list of good candidates to choose from

- Immense distrust in the system among citizens & key players,

suspicions, polarized positions all of which help little to seek
common grounds (Example: The opposition cannot unite around
common candidates to put up, diverse civil society that is reluctant
to support top candidates in the coming election, distrust between
the two chambers of the congress, distrust between congress and
people, between people and the Executive, etc.)

- Finding a middle ground is tough but necessary

Think Piece # 2: The Actors

1. The Filipino people : pin hope in the elections despite

leaders frustrating the people
> Citizens as the biggest hope

2. The Young people : significant portion of the electorate

– growing in number and importance

3. Political parties & candidates : should be challenged by the

electorate around the agenda of governance & more of
strategic thinking as leaders

4. Organized citizens and civil society : crucial in providing

inputs to the Comelec, to politicians & candidates on many
issues – automation, registration, education & information,
election & campaign watch
- Citizens’ involvement offsets whatever deficits on our
democratic institutions

- Local elites & politicians: have to expand the use of authority

& institutions with great accountability

> Opposition in Senate has prominently stood the ground in

defense of rules and institutions

- Media : played a role in 2007 election through coverage of

election and improved discourse on issues (relative to 2004),
but much more is desired of media
Think Piece # 3 : Conundrum and Options

a) Democratic institutions are in place but their performance &

functionality are open to challenge

> The space between formalism & functionality is area of

discourse
> Some aspects of this political riddle may be solved in the
immediate term, but others require long-term solutions

> Leaders & citizens dialogue on possible common denominator (

such as good governance)
> Too sectoral & narrow interests stuck everyone & perhaps a
broader frame of democracy & some unifying agenda are
necessary to bring groups together
b) Trust in the institutions (despite the imperfections!)

c) Election is available to us (in the near term). Filipinos should

seize such opportunity

> Exercise political citizenship – register, vote, exercise

vigilance over votes, inform & educate others, communicate
& challenge leaders on the agenda of governance (even
beyond election period)

> Support & campaign for candidates who believe in, rather
than serve as critics and fence sitters

d) Any obstruction to election must be thwarted

e) “Intelligent” democracy building

> Bring into the mainstream academia & professional

experts to engage in real politik, and engage with leaders &
political institutions

> “intelligent media” – to bring out publicly the candidates,

issues and their connection

f) “Walang iwanan” – Commitment to the Filipino on the street