PHILIPPINE DEMOCRATIC

CHALLENGES:

A CALL FOR FILIPINO

PARTICIPATIONLito Monico C. Lorenzana

MYTHS OF

Philippine Political Myths

“The 10 Questions on Democracy”

PHILIPPINE POLITICAL DEFICITS

…the state is unable to apply the law equally to all its citizens

…our institutions are captives of the oligarchy

…our leaders have failed to unite and inspire our diverse peoples as a nation

Jose Abueva

1. We are a Weak Nation with a Soft State.

2. We have a Dysfunctional Democracy.

…This vicious politics of patronage has allowed few oligarchs and bosses to rule us from colonial times to post-colonial times and their rule has brought us nothing but a facade of democracy, its mirage but not its miracle.

3. Power is too centralized. Periphery of governance therefore is neglected.

…Most of the decisions that affect the lives of the citizenry are embedded, legally and constitutionally although abnormally, in the executive department or the Presidency

4. Economic System is controlled and monopolized by the Oligarchy

Philippine Economy is controlled by a few powerful monopolies, cartels and conglomerates distorting the competition in their favor

CDM’s Guiding Principles

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Centrist Democratic Dogma

Fables of Philippine Politics

1st, we need brand names to propel this political party to a position of dominance

2nd, elections in the Philippines are very expensive and we need patrons to put in the money

political cognoscenti

X Politics of ideas, the clash of ideologies

Uplifting them by respecting, honoring and acknowledging their dignity

CDP advocates:

“I like to stress the failure of our electoral system to excise the virus of the politics of patronage that has infected our so called elections…xxx…This vicious politics of patronage has allowed few oligarchs and bosses to rule us from colonial times to post-colonial times and their rule has brought us nothing but a facade of democracy, its mirage but not its miracle.”

Former Chief Justice Reynato Puno

It will take time for a new and young party – an upstart

Dues-paying membership

Daghang Salamat!