The International Center for Innovation, Transformation, and Excellence in Governance (INCITEGov) and the Asia Democracy Network (ADN) held a two-day forum on Sept. 6 and 7 to tackle current influences on Philippine democracy and opportunities for collaboration with regional partners, rights groups, and donors.
Among the attendees were representatives from the National Endowment for Democracy, The Asia Foundation, Freedom House, the National Democratic Institute, USAID, Tindig Pilipinas, the Initiatives for International Dialogue, Peoples Alternative Study Center for Research and Education in Social Development (PASCRES), Community Organizers Multiversity, Ninoy and Cory Aquino Foundation, Gaston Z. Ortigas Peace Institute, ASEAN SOGIE Caucus, National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections, DAKILA, Generative Peace Youth Network (GenPeace), Kababaihang Liberal, Task Force Detainees of the Philippines, and Donsol Alliance of CSOs.
The first day opened with a Philippine democracy situationer that highlighted practical challenges for democracy organizations such as lack of access to information, digital media literacy skills, limited technical and resource mobilization capacity, and reduced funding. The participants emphasized the importance of political reforms, specifically in the party-list system, dynastic governance, and voter education.
CSO representatives converse with donors on the first day of "Intensifying Collaboration for Philippine Democracy."
In addressing the shrinking funding space for democracy groups, donors called for localized, sustained democratic efforts beyond electoral cycles. Human rights is a key focus area as defenders continue to face red-tagging and other security risks following the consequences of the Anti-Terrorism Act and the Anti-Money Laundering Council initiatives.
On the second day, ADN Secretary-General Ichal Supriadi pointed out the broader democratic challenges in Asia with increasing authoritarian tendencies influenced by China. Democratic backsliding is characterized by military interference in politics, digital repression, and manipulation of electoral processes. Against this backdrop, Supriadi pushed for more youth-led initiatives across the region, alongside strengthening pro-democracy advocates and grassroots connections.
Locally, WR Numero president and CEO Cleve Arguelles noted the decline in President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s public satisfaction rating given rising inflation, corruption, and geopolitical tensions with China. Driven by political survival, President Marcos Jr. seems to be distancing himself from former president Rodrigo Duterte and thus appears more "palatable" for Filipinos.
While the alliance's breakdown opens a "meaningful opportunity" for civil society, the challenge is how to "strategically claim" these spaces, according to Tindig Pilipinas Lead Convener Teresita Quintos Deles. This entails redefining "opposition" and improving organizing efforts in the face of "uncertain governance" under Marcos.
Recognizing the shift in the Philippine political economy, Dr. Sylvia Claudio capped off the lectures with a reminder about the role of technology and the internet in collective action. Claudio argued that reactionary politics has undermined solidarity, making it harder for people to distinguish fact from fiction.
Participants during the second day of "Intensifying Collaboration for Philippine Democracy."
To counter this fragmented reality, the participants stressed the need for complementary, non-hierarchical, and representative efforts among existing democracy networks. Efforts should focus on economic governance, public service delivery, as well as campaigns to alleviate poverty and hunger.