i am free report 2013
DESCRIPTION
The I Am Free Report 2013 is a collection of news, events, happenings of the Friedrich Naumann Founadtion for Freedom during the year 2013.TRANSCRIPT
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FNF Philippines 2013 | 1
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2 | i am free
Our campaign Its All
About Freedom took the
international center stage
in 2013. Our foreign friends
from the Council of Asian
Liberals and Democrats
(CALD) and the Alliance
of Liberals and Democrats
for Europe (ALDE) visited
Manila and participated
in our Freedom Run and
attended the Freedom
Speech on 10 November,
and were awed by the
immense support for
our advocacy against
corruption. On November
28-29, we had the chance to
present our programs under
Its All About Freedom
at the World Forum for
Democracy in Strasbourg,
France, where we also
garnered the most number
of votes in the online voting
contest. 13,416 yes votes
on whether our campaign
promotes democratic
innovation clinched us the
top spot. Thank you!
It was a good year for us
and for the Philippines
that has become a wonder
of growth. The Philippine
economys performance
vis--vis the other ASEAN
member-states showed
that its growth rate was
the second best in the
region, only next to China.
Message
This success is largely due
to the governments anti-
corruption drive, creating
a remarkable new-found
con$dence.
However, there remains
a lot of work to be done.
Senator Bam Aquino
in his Freedom Speech
acknowledged that There
is one freedom that we still
need to take care of as we
experience this growth.
We need to make sure that
many of our countrymen
are free from poverty, that
they experience this type
of growth as much as the
upper socio-economic class
is able to experience.
This is the challenge, but
it is not an impossible
task if we sustain the good
governance efforts of the
Aquino Administration,
that also stands for honest
politics. We can go back
to Kung Walang Corrupt,
Walang Mahirap as our
mantra. This is why FNF
Philippines continues to
instill its slogan i am free
from corruption and engage
as many individuals in its
programs because it is the
role of both government
and citizens to eradicate
corruption.
The reforms have started
and the Philippines is
slowly harvesting the fruits.
The country may have
experienced a number of
tragedies in 2013, most
notable of which was super
typhoon Haiyan in the
Visayas, but the Filipinos
resilience steadily moves
them forward. The country
knows that the eyes of the
world are upon it and it
shall not step out of the
limelight.
JULES MAATENCountry Director,FNF Philippines
On the occasion of the
20th anniversary of the
Council of Asian Liberals
and Democrats (CALD),
Prof. Dr. Jrgen Morlok,
Chairman of the FNF
Board of Trustees, lauded
CALDs accomplishments
in promoting liberalism in
Asia. The CALD founders
went against the tide with
their political ideals. CALD
has doggedly promoted
centrist, liberal-democratic
policies, making it evident
that there is no shame in
being a liberal. Liberalism
is now part of the political
furniture in most Asian
countries, he commended.
Dr. Morlok visited Manila
on November 8-11, 2013 to
join the celebration, and
to witness the Freedom
Run and to meet the liberal
Filipino network during the
Freedom Speech.
In his keynote speech at
the CALD Conference,
Dr. Morlok stressed the
accomplishments of CALD
in promoting liberalism in
Asia. The CALD founders
went against the tide with
their political ideals. CALD
has doggedly promoted
centrist, liberal-democratic
policies, making it evident
that there is no shame in
being a liberal. Liberalism
is now part of the political
furniture in most Asian
countries, he commended.
The event assembled 87
delegates from 17 countries,
including a delegation of
the Alliance of Liberals
and Democrats for Europe
(ALDE), headed by ALDE
Party President Sir Graham
Watson and Liberal
International President
Hans van Baalen, and of
FNF.
Dr. Morlok gun-started the
Freedom Run with over
3,000 participants in the
morning of 10 November,
and gave the opening
remarks at the Freedom
Speech in the evening.
Freedom is not a given. It
has to be conquered and
regained, every day, every
week, every month. Not just
that, society is evolving and
there are new freedoms to
be gained, for our countries
but even more so in our
private and social lives. New
generations emancipate,
and they want and need
new liberties, in their
personal relationships or in
economic life, for example.
As Liberals we recognize
and appreciate that. We are
part of their quest, he said.
Dr. Morlok was also among
foreign guests who were
awarded the Philippine
Freedom Spark.
Liberalism as Political Furniture in Asia
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FNF Philippines 2013 | 3
The Friedrich Naumann
Foundation for Freedom (FNF)
celebrated its 50 years of
international political work, with
partners from all over the world
sharing how the Foundation
helped in strengthening liberal
network that had made freedom
infectious.
German Foreign Minister Guido
Westerwelle, who was once a
recipient of an FNF scholarship,
addressed the staff and partners
of the Foundation at the reception
on 25 June 2013 at the German
Historical Museum in Berlin. He
commended FNF for building
bridges between politics and civil
society and instilling creating
democratic awareness that is
deeply rooted. Globalization has
become more than an economic
phenomenon. Today, there is also
globalization of values like our
common desire for freedom that
makes people and nations come
together, said Westerwelle. It is
our responsibility to mobilize our
government, the civil society and
the international community to
help those who are suffering from
authoritarian regimes. Ignorance
and intolerance should not be
on the way of freedom, said FNF
President Wolfgang Gerhardt.
FNF has more than 800
development partners in over 60
project countries around the globe,
and provides a meeting point for
liberals.
The 40 years of FNFs domestic
program was also celebrated at
the Summer Fest on 26 June 2013
at the Foundations headquarters
in Potsdam. More FNF scholars
expressed their gratitude for
FNFs support in allowing them to
widen their horizon to more than
their !eld of study. Students are
involved in political work through
committee memberships on issues
like education and culture.
Akoy Malaya (I am free), the
theme song of FNF Philippines
Its All About Freedom campaign
was performed live by Filipino
singer-song writer Noel Cabangon
on both occasions. Cabangon
with veteran journalist Marites
Vitug who also attended the
FNF events, later met with the
Filipino community in Berlin for a
panel discussion on the political
and economic situation in the
Philippines. The program entitled
The Philippines On The Rise
was organized by the Philippine
Embassy in Berlin headed by
Ambassador Cleofe Natividad.
Exporting Freedom
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4 | i am free
We need to ensure that
there is vibrant competition
between our industries, and
this means a discussion of
the anti-trust legislation.
This is in line with the
commitment of our
government to pursue a
level playing !eld, and
sustain economic growth
for inclusive development,
said Batanes Rep. Dina Abad
at a forum entitled Liberal
Challenges for 2013-2016 on
13 June 2013 in Greenhills,
San Juan.
Former House Deputy
Speaker and now
Zamboanga City Mayor
Beng Climaco stressed
that government has to
be relevant to the people.
We are starting to see a
paradigm shift because
campaigns like Kung walang
corrupt walang mahirap
(If there is no corruption,
there is no poverty) have
not merely become slogans,
but people feel their true
meaning, said Climaco.
Climaco successfully
fought the entry of the
Jaloslos political clan in the
Zamboanga Peninsula.
The forum highlighted how
the reforms in the liberal
government have brought
back pride to Filipinos.
Let us involve our local
communities in governance.
Give them a sense of
ownership and in turn, a
sense of pride, remarked
Iloilo City Mayor Jed Mabilog.
Similarly, non-governmental
organizations should be
given space to contribute
to politics. Members of
the civil society should
continue their political
activism so that more open
discourse on politics and
development will take
root, said Liberal Party
Vice President for Women
Vicky Garchitorena. LP set
up Mamamayang Liberal
(Liberal Citizens) composed
of citizens from different
sectors of society (labor,
farmers, urban poor, women,
youth). Mamamayang
Liberal is a good innovation
to harness support for the
party and its program. Its
changing the face of politics
and transforming LP into a
peoples party, commented
Garchitorena. The discussion
was facilitated by journalist
Marites Vitug.
The event was also a farewell
to LP Director-General Gladys
Sta. Rita. Gladys excellent
managerial skills will be
missed, expressed Jules
Maaten, FNF Philippines
Country Director.
Competition,Inclusive GrowthTop Liberal Agenda
The German elections on
22 September 2013 brought
together Germans and
Filipinos at the German
Club in Makati City, all keen
to see what would happen
to chancellor Merkels
government coalition and
to their favorite parties
and politicians. Around
twenty members of the
International Academy for
Leadership (IAF) Alumni
Group of the FNF in the
Philippines attended the
event, discussing the German
electoral system and the
way in which the elections
were administered, as well
as the political situation
in Germany. When the
"rst results came in by 12
midnight that showed the
liberal party FDP losing,
Filipino liberals contained
their disappointment and
expressed hope for their
friends in the FDP to bounce
back.
It was the "rst time since the
party was founded in 1949
that FDP did not win seats in
the Bundestag. It is time for
some soul-searching, I hope
that they are able to bounce
back. The liberal voice will
be missed in parliament this
governing cycle, said IAF
Alumnus and Undersecretary
Chito Gascon. While it may
be dif"cult and painful for
the FDP and for us fellow
liberals to accept the last
election results, we have to
remember that electoral
defeats do not and should
not de"ne us. What de"nes
us liberals, if I must say, is our
openness to recognize our
limitations and correct our
mistakes. With this outlook,
I have no doubt that the
FDP will come out of this
situation as better, wiser and
stronger party, expressed
Council of Asian Liberals
and Democrats Executive
Director Lito Arlegue.
The domestic and
international work of FNF
continues, in spite the
election setback. FNF of"ces
around the world will now
play a greater role as it
moves to the forefront in
pushing for liberal reforms
in the political, social
and economic spheres in
Germany and across the
globe. There is plenty of
modern liberal thinking
power, competence and
commitment in the FDP to
bounce back convincingly.
Simply pull up your sleeves
and get going. That will be
so good for Germany and
for international liberalism,
said FNF Philippines Country
Director Jules Maaten.
German ElectionsDebated in Manila
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FNF Philippines 2013 | 5
Seek political power not
for its own end, but as a
means to actualize your
plans for the community,
said Department of Interior
and Local Government
(DILG) Secretary MAR
Roxas to 25 newly elected
local executives. Provincial
governors and vice
governors, and city and
municipal mayors gathered
at the Liberal Party National
Headquarters for a seminar
on local governance on July
16-17, 2013.
Together with the National
Institute for Policy
Studies (NIPS), the Local
Government Authority
(LGA), and the FNF
Philippines, LP designed
the program to familiarize
local executives with
issues like urban planning,
resource management and
climate change adaptation.
Move by design rather
than by default. Your bid
for reelection started two
weeks ago. Make the right
investments and people will
reward you with their trust
because good governance
is good politics, advised
Roxas.
Roxas explained that the
DILG is continuing the
grant of the Seal of Good
Housekeeping that the
late Interior Secretary
Jesse Robredo initiated,
albeit with higher criteria.
Local governments will get
scores based their 1) !scal
administration and disaster
preparedness, 2) programs
for the marginalized, 3)
implementation of law
and order, and 4) business
friendliness. Roxas also
emphasized on the
bottoms-up budgeting
approach that allow for
more consultations between
LGUs and CSOs.
It pays to have a good
roadmap, said LP Secretary-
General Rep. Mel Sarmiento.
He stressed LPs efforts to
transform the party into
a peoples party as more
ordinary citizens start
to become involved in
political affairs through
Mamamayang Liberal. We
are in a position where we
can implement the Social
Contract and help achieve
inclusive growth, added
Sarmiento. Sarmiento was a
former mayor of Calbayog in
Western Samar, which used
to be one of the poorest
cities in the country. He
reversed the towns de!cit
and won several awards for
the city when he became its
three-term mayor.
Sarmiento mentioned
that he learned a lot from
peer sharing when he was
mayor, which was the
objective of the seminar
that LP organized for the
new local executives.
Several provincial governors
and city mayors came
as resource speakers
including Albay Gov. Joey
Salceda, Oriental Mindoro
Gov. Boy Umali, Romblon
Gov. Eduardo Firmalo, Sta.
Rosa City Mayor Arlene
Arcillas, Malolos City Mayor
Christian Nativitidad, and
Cagayan de Oro City Mayor
Oscar Moreno. Focus group
discussions as well as
private meetings were also
held.
Good Governance
is Good Politics
In the run up to the
mid-term elections
in May 2013 where
12 senatorial seats
and more than 18,000
local posts were at
stake, FNF Philippines
and the National
Institute for Policy
Studies (NIPS), with
the Liberal Party co-
organized a number of
seminars on electoral
campaign procedures.
Part of the program
was a demonstration
of how the Precinct
Count Optical Scan
(PCOS) operates, which
was conducted by
representatives from
the Commission on
Elections (Comelec).
The activities were
held at the House
of Representatives
in cooperation with
the Liberal Caucus of
Congressional Staff
(LCCS), in Balay Expo
Centro, Cubao, in Cebu,
in Cagayan de Oro, and
in Zamboanga City
through the Of!ce of
Hon. Beng Climaco.
There were over
100 participants in
attendance in each of
the seminar.
FNF Philippines 2013 | 5
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6 | i am free
Civil society groups called on the public to vote for
leaders who will sustain the reforms that the Aquino
Administration has started, particularly on eradicating
corruption. At a forum entitled Leadership & Citizenship
Against Corruption held at Marriott Hotel in Pasay City on
28 February 2013, 140 representatives from government,
NGOs, the academe, business sector, and media, and
opinion leaders talked about how citizens could be part of
anti-corruption initiatives through the power of their ballot.
Elections should be the primary accountability tool. Make
the candidates personally answerable to you as the voter,
said Vince Lazatin, Executive Director of Transparency
& Accountability Network (TAN). Lazatin was one of
the panelists in the forum along with Inquirer opinion
columnist John Nery, Atty. Angela Garcia of the Asian
Institute of Management (AIM) and Peter Perfecto of the
Makati Business Club (MBC). Both AIM and MBC have
programs in promoting integrity in businesses.
Nery shared how the May 2013 elections had also prompted
journalists like him to come together and come up with a
covenant between media practitioners and political parties
and candidates to shun envelopmental journalism. (See
Page --.) But there was resistance, even from independent,
well-meaning journalists. For them, driving out corruption
in media is such a massive effort that a simple step like
signing a covenant against corruption was inadequate
and therefore not desirable, told Nery. The discussion was
facilitated by Tanya Hamada of INCITEGov.
The book Citizens Primer Against Corruption authored by
political activist Concepcion Asis was also presented at the
forum. This will be a bible of ordinary people that is easy
to read and understand, and hopefully encourage them to
act against corruption, endorsed Rep. Erin Taada. It will
be an integral part of the arsenal in the citizenrys crusade
against graft and corruption in the country, wrote Dr. Julio
Teehankee of De La Salle University about the book. Copy of
the publication may be requested from FNF Philippines.
Vote for LeadersTo Sustain Reforms
In a visit to Manila, German foreign minister Guido Westerwelle showed himself impressed with the progress that the Philippines made in combating the problem of corruption. After an extensive meeting with the liberal president of the Philippines, Benigno Aquino, minister Westerwelle described the ongoing prosecution of former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and the impeachment of chief justice Renato Corona as signs that real change is happening. Guido Westerwelle was in Manila on February 7-8, 2013, the #rst visit by a high-ranking German minister in the country in more than 12 years.
On 12 April 2013, a delegation of the German Bundestag that included the foreign affairs spokesman of the liberal Free Democrat Party (FDP) Dr. Rainer Stinner, visited the Philippines. Dr. Stinner expressed his admiration for the persistence with which so many the Filipinos stuck to the path of reforms. Seeing how they consistently oppose corruption and work for good governance makes me optimistic about the political and economic future of the Philippines, he said during an evening organized by the German political foundations.
Impressed with "ght Against Corruption
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FNF Philippines 2013 | 7
Political parties and candidates
pledge not to engage in
envelopmental journalism, and
media practitioners and principals
commit neither to accept nor
solicit payment or any form of
compensation for media favors.
This is the gist of the covenant
signed by nearly 20 journalists and
politicians as a step in rooting out
corruption, which always swell
during Philippine elections.
The media and political parties
saw the mid-term elections in May
2013 as an opportunity for this
initial effort towards self-cleansing
and renewing our commitment to
public service. The covenant was
signed on 22 January 2013 at EDSA
Shangri-La by ABS-CBN chief Ging
Reyes, BusinessWorld chairman
Vergel Santos, GMA News Online
editor-in-chief Howie Severino,
Philippine Daily Inquirer publisher
Raul Pagdanganan, Rappler
editor-at-large Marites Vitug, TV5
chief Luchi Cruz-Valdez, Liberal
Party secretary-general Rep. Mel
Sarmiento and UNA secretary-
general Rep. Toby Tiangco, among
others.
The Liberal Party is very
supportive of this initiative. Its
time to walk the talk, announced
Sarmiento. He emphasized that
LP has always been an advocate
of transparent, accountable and
participative governance.
The event was spearheaded
by Media Nation, a network of
journalists that hold regular
dialogues to address issues on
Philippine journalism. On 09
November 2013, Media Nation
held their annual conference with
Sir Graham Watson, President
of the Alliance of Liberals and
Democrats for Europe (ALDE) as
keynote speaker. In his speech,
Watson emphasized that
the most important thing in
!ghting corruption anywhere is
transparency. Sunlight is the best
disinfectant.
Both activities were organized
with the support of the FNF
Philippines.
Political parties, journalists sign covenant against corruption
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8 | i am free
All landmarks of freedom, all venues of FNFs Freedom Run during the summer of 2013. At Fort San Diego in Gumaca, Quezon, in Butuan, Agusan del Norte which was the center for cultural, religious, and commercial relations in Southeast Asia as early as 800 years ago, and in the shores of liberation in Palo, Leyte up to 1,500 runners gathered and celebrated freedom and campaigned for environmental protection.
RunningAcrossCountry
Freedom Run invades Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao
On 17 March, 195 kilometers south of Manila, the Freedom Run attracted 1,524 participants who lined up as early as two oclock morning to get their kalikasan = kalayaan shirt (environment = freedom) and run 3K and 5K to promote awareness on the effects of climate change. Giving the people a sense of greater stewardship towards the environment, Atty. Toby Taada articulated, This freedom run has shown a great picture of solidarity in our district. May this mark the #rst step towards greater leaps for the protection of our environment. We have seen and felt the damages
brought by climate change, especially in a coastal area like our own provincial district. Now we are called to be more proactive in mitigating its effects and we can do this by simple acts of volunteerism. Toby is the brother of Rep. Erin Taada who helped FNF organize the Freedom Run in Gumaca.
An hour and 25 minutes $ight from Manila on 22 April brought the Freedom Run to Butuan City. Nearly 1,200 runners comprised of youth, local leaders, government employees, athletes and non-government organizations ran 5 kilometers traversing the heart of
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FNF Philippines 2013 | 9
the city. With the power crisis and erratic weather conditions in the citys midst, then Vice Mayor and now Rep. Lawrence Fortun took advantage of the Freedom Run to address climate change issues that plague their city and Mindanao as a whole. We are running not only to keep our bodies in shape but more so to channel our energies in heading activities that would protect our environment and bring progress to our communities, said Fortun. The event was co-organized by the People Power Volunteers for Reform CARAGA (PPVR), and the Of!ces of Mayor Jun Amante and Vice Mayor Fortun.
Palo, a municipality in Leyte in the Visayas region, famous for the historical landing of the Americans that marked the beginning of Philippines liberation from the Japanese during World War II, embraced the Freedom Run on 28 April. Approximately 1,200 runners
Palo was among the areas hardest hit by super typhoon Yolanda when it battered the Philippines on8 November 2013. The strongest storm recorded to make landfall left more than 5,600 dead in the Visayas region and over PHP 30 billion in damages.
FNF offered prayers to the victims especially for the people of Palo in its Freedom Run on 10 November 2013. Senator Bam Aquino called for a moment of silence before he delivered his Freedom Speech (see Page --). FNF also collected donations and is now organizing activities for local executives in the Visayas to help them build climate change resilient communities.
took off down a seven kilometer path from the towns plaza to the historical MacArthur Landing Park by the beach and back to the town plaza where a short program was held. The Freedom Run means running an extra mile for greater reforms, voiced Palo Mayor Matin Petilla. We are taking steps to paint the development green in Palo. Although the road to climate change adaptation in Palo is long and rocky, we are not giving up. We are driven by the growing number of people who join us in this advocacy, added then councilor and now Vice Mayor Ronan Bolingling Reposar.
i am free echoed throughout the country. There was resounding support for the protection of the environment when there was "ood of people in yellow exclaiming
kalikasan = kalayaan.
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10 | i am free
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FNF Philippines 2013 | 11
Dingdong Dantes, Marian Rivera, Noel Cabangon, Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte, and Former Congressman Erin Taada, along with 40 parliamentarians from the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD) and the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE), and more than 3000 runners trooped to Quezon Memorial Circle on 10 November 2013 for the Freedom Run, showing their support for the campaign freedom from corruption.
Everyone turned up in the bright yellow singlet with the slogan i am free from corruption. A brief moment at the #nish line with famous television and movie couple Dantes and Rivera became another reason to complete the 3K
and 10K race. Runners cherished the opportunity to stand by their idols and know that they share one cause. Dantes also produced a video for the Freedom Run where he said: Freedom means being able to achieve ones full potential and dreams. Dont let anyone limit your freedom. Dont let corruption leave you powerless as an individual.
Senator Bam Aquino, Rep. Leni Robredo, Former Senator Kiko Pangilinan, European Union Ambassador Guy Ledoux, Swiss Ambassador Ivo Sieber, Leah Navarro, Vicky Garchitorena, and Coach Jim Saret similarly posed as endorsers of the Freedom Run through their video message. Quezon City is proud to host
this years Freedom Run. We are happy to see that so many people are one with us in pursuit of good governance. This event is a con#rmation that regardless of our stature, we can all work together to eradicate corruption, said QC Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte.
The activity was held in partnership with the Local Government of Quezon City, Kaya Natin! Movement for Good Governance & Ethical Leadership, Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA), Integrity Nation Now, and YesPinoy Foundation. Sponsors include CALD-ALDE, McDonalds, Brooks, Axeia, Macro Asia Corporation, Curves, and takbo.ph
Over 3,000 Celebrity Endorsers
Freedom Run brings together politicians, showbiz personalities, and civil society
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12 | i am free
Waving the Yellow-Green Flags
Rights-Based Approach
Teresa, Rizal produces hollow
blocks from pulverized plastic
and cement, charcoal from
recycled paper, and fertilizer out
of compost from biodegradable
refuse. Their Material Recovery
Facility (MRF) was started more
as compliance to Solid Waste
Management Act, but in the
end, it also addressed other
problems in the community like
unemployment. Through the MRF,
we were able to provide more jobs.
Consequently, people no longer
depended on the government for
their livelihood, proudly stated
Former Mayor Rodel dela Cruz who
started the initiative. We need
to sustain this project, not only
because the law requires requires
it, but also because the times call
for it, added incumbent Teresa
Mayor Raul Palino.
Climate Change as an Opportunity for Market-Based Reforms
Iloilo City actively promotes
the use of alternative energy by
allowing tax breaks to individuals
and business entities that
use environmentally-friendly
equipment or machineries in their
residential houses or commercial
buildings. For Mayor Jed Mabilog,
the local government passed the
ordinance to ensure that programs
especially those that help preserve
the environment, are continuing
and sustainable. The Iloilo City
Hall is also the !rst green building
in the Philippines, and to this
Mabilog explains that he is guided
by management by example as
this would have a trickling effect
on business establishments and
the communities.
Participation of the community
San Francisco, Camotes Island
prioritizes awareness and
information campaigns to make
sure that its residents grasp the
importance of environmental
preservation. The local government
also invests on capacity-building
programs and community
organizing work to equip its
constituents with skills on disaster
response. With this changing
climate, you will never go wrong
by putting people !rst, said
Former Mayor Alfred Arquillano
when asked why the town puts a
premium on conducting seminars
and trainings. While the residents
did not participate in activities that
concern the environment before,
they became actively involved
when they understood how climate
change directly impacts their
families.
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FNF Philippines 2013 | 13
FNF Philippines recognized the Yellow-Green Flag towns on 10 November 2013 at Quezon City Memorial Circle. San Francisco, Camotes Island, Teresa, Rizal and Calbayog, Samar were identi"ed as outstanding communities for their environmental programs during the Climate Change Governance Priority Summit in November 2012. Yellow-Green represents new energy and climate-smart innovations (yellow) in ecosystems protection and waste management and
overall ecological security (green). The three towns including Iloilo City and Paombong, Bulacan that also exemplify best practice in climate change adaptation were documented in a video, which was also presented on 10 November.
The "ve local governments highlighted how they raise awareness on climate change issues and encourage members of the community to take part in environmental programs. The Yellow-
Green Flag symbolizes freedom, openness, dialogue and the participation of as many sectors as possible in the discussion of issues that concern us especially on climate change, said Presidential Adviser for Environmental Protection Secretary Neric Acosta.
Yellow-Green Flag towns embody good ecological governance, and works for inclusive growth while building a climate-adaptive and resilient society.
Future Best Leaders Learn Todays Best Environmental Practices
Representatives from the
Kabataang Liberal (KL) and
the Filipino Liberal Youth
(FLY) visited Teresa, Rizal
on 9 August and Paombong,
Bulacan on 16 August,
respectively. KL witnessed how
Teresas MRF operates while
FLY got a tour of Paombong
coastal area teeming with
mangroves. The exposure trips
were part of their Strategy
Planning Workshops where
they also discussed youth
engagement in climate change
issues. The groups highlighted
intergenerational equity and
sustainable development as
important topics, and areas
where they could step in as
future leaders.
Convergence of national and local efforts
Paombong, Bulacan has 6,000 hectares of coastal waters compared to 4,464 hectares of land. It is famous for its vinegar that comes from the nipa mangroves that the town cultivates together as a community, and which is also the source of their livelihood. Former Mayor Donato Marcos lobbies for the inclusion of water area in the computation of local governments internal revenue allotment (IRA) because the budget is necessary to maximize the potential of water resource. At a time when coastal barangays are also at risk due to climate change, funding is important to construct dikes to eliminate hazards. Marcos who also became the national president of the League of Municipal Mayors noted that of the 1,419 municipalities in the country, 832 are coastal, which will bene!t if water area is included in the IRA.
Availability of information
Calbayog City, Western Samar
effectively uses its telemetering
system as an early-warning
response. It successfully utilizes
the device to provide weather
forecasts, which it announces
to the townsfolk immediately.
There is no way of telling when
calamity will strike, cautions
Mayor Ronaldo Aquino. He quotes
a saying daig ng maagap ang
masipag, which is similar to the
adage the early bird catches the
worm. The primary approach
the city applies in disaster
management is risk mapping. The
local government is conscious
of its geo-hazard areas and this
information is shared to the
communities.
FNF Philippines 2013 | 13
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14 | i am free
Magandang gabi po sa ating lahat. Good
evening, everyone. Thank you, Tita Lea, for that
introduction. Im very happy that she didnt
give the campaign introduction. It seems like 10
years ago already, but it was actually just last
May when a number of us competed in the last
elections and won. Id like to thank the organizers
for giving me this opportunity to say a few words
tonight and, of course, to give the so-called
Freedom Speech.
Today is a somber day because the Philippines
just had the worst typhoon in this century, the
worst typhoon in the last 33 years. Before that,
we actually had a very massive earthquake also
in the Visayas. Before that - Mayor Beng is here,
we had 20 days of siege in Zamboanga City, and
before that, so many more different disasters and
calamities. It seems to me that this year many
Filipinos, in Tagalog, are bugbog, beaten up in
English, but Im glad to know that at the end of
the day, Filipinos, not only love our freedom, but
are resilient, God-fearing and loving people. So
before we begin, Id like to ask everyone to please
stand up and maybe just in our own way, say
a few words, spend a few moments of silence
thinking of many our countrymen who currently
have lost all of their possessions, many of our
countrymen who at this point still have not been
able to reach their families. Maybe in our own
way we can just think about them, and send
them our love and our support. (Pause.) Thank
you, thank you very much.
FreedomSpeechSENATOR BENIGNO BAM AQUINO
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FNF Philippines 2013 | 15
Magandang gabi po sa ating lahat!
Good evening everyone! I would
like to acknowledge, of course, our
FNF Board of Trustees Chairman
Prof. Dr. Jrgen Morlok, Mr. Jules
Maaten, FNF Country Director,
good evening. The president of
Liberal International, Mr. Hans van
Baalen, to all the parliamentarians
from the Philippines and other
countries, government of$cials,
friends, magandang gabi. Good
evening everyone!
Let me begin by telling everyone
that it is through times of crisis
and times of intense dif$culty
that we get to look at ourselves
and again see what type of
people we are. Through the last
months where the Philippines
had so many, so many challenges
and dif$culties, it seems that
Filipinos $rst of all, at least in
my estimation, have four very
distinct characteristics. One is that
through all of these challenges
and dif$culties, we still remain a
very welcoming, a very tolerant
and a very kind people. I hope
that our guests from abroad have
experienced this kindness and
this hospitality, hospitability that
Filipinos are very very open to
provide for our friends. Second,
as the tagline says, Its more fun
in the Philippines and its true.
I think, at the end of the day,
what makes the Philippines fun
are the Filipinos. Do you agree?
De$nitely! Third, I think, is that
were a very resilient people.
Whatever happens to this country,
whatever challenges faces our
people, Im certain we will be able
to rise again and move forward.
Do you agree with me? Yes! We
have experienced a number
of challenges, although I have
to admit more than usual this
year, but I am certain that our
resilience will be able to carry
us through. And fourth, we are
a freedom-loving people. In fact,
when we were formulating the
talking points for this speech, Ill
say it $rst in Tagalog: Mukha po
talaga na ang paglaban at ang
pagmamahal para sa kalayaan
nasa dugo at lahi na ng mga
Pilipino. It seems to be engrained
in each Filipino, the love for
freedom and the willingness to
$ght for our freedom. Many of our
national heroes, if not all of our
national heroes, were all freedom
$ghters who fought against the
colonial powers. They were all
quite young actually. If you look at
Jose Rizal, at the turn of the 19th
century, he was in his 30s and
in his late 20s when he started
the cause for freedom. Andres
Bonifacio and many other heroes
were also quite young, and many
of them were freedom $ghters
that we look up to even now. In
my childhood, which was during
Martial Law, many of the heroes
we look up to, and of course I
would have to - I hope you dont
mind if I mention my uncle Ninoy
Aquino, who of course is one
of the people we look up to as
someone who fought for freedom
in our country.
It seems that many of our heroes
were freedom $ghters and this
inspiration carries through all
of us even today. In the 80s, we
showed the world how much we
loved our freedom, how much
we were willing to $ght for our
freedom, and how much we were
willing to die for the freedom that
was lost to us. During the 80s we
were known as a freedom-loving
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16 | i am free
many Filipinos seemed to be over. But these days
when we look at the cost for freedom, we have
to move beyond freedom in terms of the political
sense and move towards another freedom - some
would say, an even more dif!cult freedom that we
all need to work towards and that we all need to
work together for, and this of course is freedom
from poverty.
These days, the Philippines has the best growth
in South East Asia. We are the top country in the
ASEAN when it comes to growth. In fact, there are
even quarters when we outpace China, or when
we match China. The growth that we have GDP-
wise is the envy of many of our European friends,
and many of other North Asian neighbors here in
the region. And yet even with this immense and
phenomenal GDP growth, we still experience very
crippling poverty. It seems to me, and this is the
same for many of our leaders here, and especially
our president, that as we experience phenomenal
growth, we need to see that this growth reaches all
parts of the Philippines to truly make it inclusive
growth. If you look at the growth of the Philippines
in the last couple of quarters, many people will
say that we are now the Breakout Nation of South
East Asia from being the sick man of Asia just
three years earlier. Many people will say that with
the investment rating of the Philippines, we are
poised to enter the developing world, much like
our ASEAN neighbors. And yet dear friends, there is
one freedom that we still need to take care of as we
experience this growth. We need to make sure that
many of our countrymen are free from poverty, that
they experience this type of growth as much as the
upper socio-economic class is able to experience.
This, my dear friends, is the challenge our country
faces today.
If you look at the images of yesterday and the
other day of Typhoon Yolanda, when you look at
the devastation in Leyte as slowly the images start
coming to our TV screens and newspapers, you see
massive desolation. Of course, those that are most
devastated are the houses built out of wood, built
out of scrap material. The houses which are concrete
are damaged, but you can see clearly that just
maybe, with some help and some support they can
get back on their feet much quicker. In our country,
unfortunately, many of our countrymen have
experienced poverty, which has been with them
since they were young, which has been in their
family since their parents and their parents parents,
and we have to break this cycle in our country.
people, and it seems that at that point in time,
when we fought for our freedom, when we were
able to kick out the dictatorship, when we were able
to regain our democracy, the !ght for freedom for
The good thing is there are ways that we can actually break this cycle of poverty.
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FNF Philippines 2013 | 17
The good thing is there are ways that we can actually break this cycle of poverty. We need to invest in agriculture - Senator Kiko here is one of the advocates of agriculture these days. We need to invest in our farmers. Our farmers currently have an annual income of P23,000. These are coconut farmers. P23,000 is less than $500 per year. We need to invest in our farmers. We need to invest in the young because many of our youth are jobless. It is this generation that needs to be able to !nd jobs that can help them move out of poverty and help them raise their families. We need to invest in SMEs or Small and Medium Enterprises. Currently many of our policies are for big business but not enough are focusing on
Small and Medium Enterprises. We need to push for more micro!nance to be able to provide capital for those who have no collateral. We need to be able to push for more social enterprises, more community-based enterprises, more ways for our people to be able to earn, get better income, and at the end of the day, be free from the poverty that shackles them today.
Yun po, ang pinakamalaking challenge sa atin ngayon. This is the biggest challenge that we face. Many people will say, The Philippines is destined to be a poor country, but for me, dear friends, I think thats not the truth. For many of you here, for all of us here, I know that we dont believe that our country is destined to be poor. In fact, and I used to say this a lot in the campaign: If in the 80s we were able to do the seemingly impossible, we were able to beat the most powerful, the most armed, the one with the most money, the one who controlled everything; if we were able to take back our democracy and kick out a dictator and do the seemingly impossible then, what makes us think that we cant do the same? But this time, we have to make sure that as we !ght for freedom, we !ght for freedom from poverty that many of our countrymen want, and many of our countrymen deserve.
We need to show ourselves and the world that the Filipino can work together for something aside from kicking out corrupt presidents. We need to work together to show that we can work together for the bene!t of our countrymen who need it the most. Kaya po natin yan! If I can quote the name of the organization thats been helping me these days: Kaya po natin yan! We can do it! We have shown that the Filipino can do the seemingly impossible. Were a resilient people. Were a freedom-loving people, and I think its time that we work together. Its time that we buckle down and show that we can de!nitely !ght for our freedom from colonizers. We can !ght for our freedom
from invasion. We can !ght for our freedom from dictators. And we can !ght for our freedom from poverty. This is something I think, dear friends, that if work together for, well be able to achieve the Philippines that we want, that we deserve, and that we owe to our countrymen who are still mired in poverty.
Let me end with this thought. My uncle Ninoy Aquino, who I would say, is one of the more famous Liberal Party members, when he was fighting for his freedom, when he was incarcerated for a number of years, in some of his speeches he would say, For the cost of freedom, we are all expendable. For the cost of freedom, not just the freedom from a dictator, but even from freedom from poverty, we all have to do our share. We all have to do what we can, and in that way, if all of us do our share, we are all leaders who can push for this cause faster. We can realize the country that we wish to see at a much faster rate - the country that we owe to our children.
Thank you very much. Maraming maraming salamat
po, at magandang gabi sa inyong lahat!
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Glitters of freedom and democracy
in Asia and Europe shone radiantly
during the freedom night on 10
November 2013. On the last evening
of their visit to Manila, liberal
stalwarts from the Council of Asian
Liberals and Democrats (CALD) and
the Alliance of Liberal Democrats
for Europe (ALDE) were awarded
with Freedom Sparks. Personalities
like CALD Chair Sam Rainsy who
heads the opposition in Cambodia,
and Liberal International President
Hans van Baalen who is the voice
of liberal organizations around
the world were surprised with
the recognition given by FNF
Philippines.
Maysing Yang, Wolfgang
Sachsenroeder, Ivan Doherty,Emil
Kirjas, Saumura Tioulong, Mu
Sochua, Huai-hui Hsieh, Willem
Vanden Broucke, Nant Thananan,
Siegfried Herzog, Maria Leissner,
Jrgen Morlok, Chee Soon Juan,
Antonyia Parvanova, and Rainer
Adam were also presented with
tokens. Their involvement in
politics, international relations,
the academe, development work
have sparked democracy in their
respective fields.
FreedomSparks
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FNF Philippines 2013 | 19
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20 | i am free
Rep. Dina Abad
I think what is important is when you talk about development of the country one cant be divorced on the development of an individual. And I think the development of an individual really largely depends upon individuals ability to make choices. Choices, that will more or less determine his path or his own, where we want to lead his life or direct his life to. So I think liberal policies are important so that the individual may be able to make those informed choices for a better life not only for himself or herself but for the community as well.
Senator Bam Aquino
...the future belongs to the young people, the present and the future to the young. We are a very young country, our average age is 23 years old, so its just right that young people take the cause of freedom. Not just freedom politically but more importantly, the freedom from poverty. So these are freedoms which young people need to work towards, need to understand because at the end of the day, the country belongs to them, the future belongs to young people.
Speaker Sonny Belmonte Represented by Rep. Kit Belmonte
Para kay speaker who I am representing tonight, I think ang gusto niyang mapush talagang batas ay yung anti-trust bill, kung saan para magkaroon ng regulation against monopolies para mas makatulong sa investment climate sa ating bansa and push the drive against poverty and increase the bene"ts para sa mga mamamayan natin.
Mayor Beng Climaco
Freedom and peace really go hand in hand particularly in Mindanao because the rights of children have been violated by rebels who came in to our city that is why as early as zero, we have to continue "ghting for the freedom of young people so that they would have a better future. Christians, muslims and humans all going together, helping each other for the betterment of the future generation which is our children.
Patricia Evangelista
I think theres no nation that can consider itself truly free without the free media. Freedom for citizens means they have choices that they can make based on available information and its the media that provides that... even if media does
have its failings, for as long as it can bring up the issues that is important and it can tell people that their voices matter, it can make any sort of election free because the people know what they have to know. So media doesnt only propagate freedom, its very freedom that orments the freedom of the nation that exist at the moment.
Vicky Garchitorena
Women play a very important role in expanding freedom in any society. As we have seen all over the world, there is a tendency for men to be more aggressive and women are more nurturing, more consensus builders. And so, even in corporate boards, even in the NGO work, its really the women who bring to the table much greater compassion, much greater need for collaboration and coordination. And so I feel that they can use this innate quality of women.
Usec. Chito Gascon
Freedom is fought for, it is not given. It is something that must proceed from pursuit of freedom on the ground in different context. In the school, in the communities, in the "elds, so the imperative for freedom ultimately comes from the people. But when you are able achieve political victories, it is important
Freedom FlamesNo Monopoly of Good Governance
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FNF Philippines 2013 | 21
14 individuals were awarded the Freedom Flames on 10 November 2013 for their commitment to good governance and freedom. Leaders from government, civil society organizations and media received the recognition for their inclusive leadership that re-shapes communities and meets the needs of ordinary people.
to sustain those political victories through liberal policies, policies that will protect human rights, policies that will advance education, policies that will meet the needs of ordinary people. So in that sense, policies are the key to sustaining and institutionalizing the imperative for freedom that comes from the people.
Bart Guingona
Media is essential in any democracy. A democracy cannot function without an informed citizenry and media is instrumental in providing that kind of information that will make the citizenry better citizens. Media that sticks to its own mandate and its standard will serve democracy in the most optimal way.
Harvey Keh
We have to be inclusive. I think the most important thing here is that no one has the monopoly about good governance. No one can claim that they are the only group governance or that can promote or advocate good governance in our country. We have to be inclusive in terms inviting other groups to work with us, invite them to meetings, and invite them to programs and projects, because by synergy, we will be able to do more. And by doing more, we can easily create an environment of good
governance in our country that will hopefully end corruption.
Atty. Carlos Medina, Jr.Represented by his wife, Judge Beatrice Medina
As a member of the judiciary and also as a Filipino, I will have to make sure that the rights of the people are protected, both for the accused and for the litigant. The best way to do this is to educate the people of their rights and to apply the rule of law.
Election Commissioner Grace Padaca
Elections are most important. They are the key towards good governance. If only we can make the entry point better, if only we can make electoral processes saner and fairer. May kasabihan... those who are too smart to join government are doomed to be governed by those who are not. We have always fought for our freedom from oppressive leaders, we are now challenged to use the measure of freedom that we now enjoy to push the bar a little higher, to take steps a little farther, from what we are expected. After all, the risks are lower. (Freedom Speech 2012)
Nonoy Oplas
Keyword liberal liberate, to free, to free the economy, mainly to free
the economy from bureaucracy, from criminals. Thats why the main function of government is to promulgate the rule of law. Its not so much a function of government to provide welfare here, and subsidies there, no. As much as possible zero bureaucracy!
Former Senator Kiko Pangilinan
It is critical that we ensure effective cooperation and coordination between our leaders and communities if we are to affect real impacts in good governance. Ultimately it is leaders with vision, leaders with skill, leaders with capacity, and citizens who are willing to mobilize, to participate to engage these leaders that will re-shape our communities throughout the nation.
Rep. Mel Sarmiento
Participatory governance is very important. Participatory governance actually is good governance. As the party is trying its best to work for the people, but we feel that working with the people is a better option, for us to be able to do more. To be of service and for us to be able to achieve our, whatever goals we have for our beloved country.
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The Diskarte (strategy) was
to make the issue of corruption
personal and sustain awareness
and education efforts. This is the
same initiative that earned the
Cultural Center of the Philippines
(CCP) and Manila Broadcasting
Company the recognition as The
Freedom Project 2013 for their
radio show Diskarte.
Diskarte also means discussion
of social issues using the arts.
Anchoring CCPs vision-mission
of using the arts for social
transformation, drama, music,
and local poetry are used in the
program to trigger discussions
on issues on governance. Aside
from being a talk show, Diskarte
produces drama skits that reflect
true-to-life stories on corruption.
The show airs every Saturday,
2-3 p.m. on DZRH. It provides an
avenue for citizens to express
their sentiments and complaints
on government practices. The
program receives calls, letters
and SMS from all over the
country and refers grievance
cases to concerned government
agencies. One major contribution
of the program was when it
exposed the rigging of the May
2007 elections in Maguindanao
after verifying a text message it
received from one listener. This
turned into a big news when the
name of the countrys president
cropped up later in other media.
Radio remains an effective
source of information in spite
the proliferation of online media.
Diskarte brings relevant issues
to the grassroots and translates
them into language that ordinary
people can understand, said
Kaya Natin! Movement for Good
Governance & Ethical Leadership
Lead Convenor Harvey Keh, a
member of The Freedom Project
jury. Citizens Primer Against
Corruption book author Chit
Asis, and Council of Asian
Liberals and Democrats (CALD)
Executive Director Lito Arlegue
also sat as judges. Diskarte also
gathered the highest number of
online votes, 441 of 1087 votes,
besting eight other entries.
Storyline produced a video
documentation on Diskarte
which can be viewed on FNF
Philippines youtube channel.
This is the third year of The
Freedom Project organized by
FNF Philippines.
Diskarte Broadcasting strategy against corruption wins Freedom Project 2013
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FNF Philippines 2013 | 23
Freedom of speech, access to justice, good governance, market economy and private property should be free for all. Yet we know that freedom comes with responsibility, and that responsibility is to ensure that everyone, not just you and me, can say I am free, was the closing line of Carlos Celdran in a video documentary about freedom produced by FNF Philippines.
Shot in the historic Intramuros in Manila, Celdran relates the Philippine history of independence to todays struggle for freedom. At the gates of Fort Santiago, which served as prison during the Spanish colonial period, he narrates the story of Mary Grace, a young woman who is in prison for a crime she is accused of. Were trying to do everything to make the judge appreciate that these people are innocent. To free others especially for us who are priveleged enough in terms of education, resources, opportunities, I think it is also our responsibility as freedom !ghters to empower others, said Ateneo Human Rights Center (AHRC) lawyer Arpee Santiago who is also Mary Graces legal counsel. The video also features the municipality of Taytay for good governance and Quezons Sentrong Pamilihan for market economy and private property.
The video becomes more signi!cant as Celdran talks about Freedom of Speech, a right he is now in battle in with court. Barely two weeks after the video was shot, Celdran was sentenced to up to 13 months in prison for disrupting an ecumenical service in protest of the Catholic Churchs opposition to the then Reproductive Health Bill. Celdran is currently out on bail. He plans to appeal his case all the way to the Supreme Court, which he hopes will declare the archaic law unconstitutional and against the Freedom of Speech.
The 13-minute video is available on FNF Philippines youtube channel. A dvd copy may also be requested
from FNF.
Free for All
August is Jesse Robredo month in commeration of the passing of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) secretary who was a good governance hero
to a lot of Filipinos. Not so many people know about how Secretary Jesses championed the interests of the urban poor, how he believed in the capabilities of the persons with disabilities (PWD), and how he worked hard to improve our public schools. These are what we want to highlight in the video aside from providing glimpses of the simple man and true leader that Jesse was, said Kaya Natin! Lead Convenor Harvey Keh when he introduced the new documentary on the late Secretary Robredo on 02 August 203 at Miriam College in Quezon City. Over 300 guests attended the premiere showing.
Robredo who also served as mayor of Naga City died in plane on 18 August 2012. If at all, his death gave a spark of hope to many - that there is hope for better public service, said Leni Robredo, wife of Jesse, who has recently been elected as congresswoman of Camarines Sur. There was an outpour of praises about Jesses governance style after his death. Tsinelas Leadership was coined for his humility, and people-centered governance. Jesse encouraged participation in political affairs and he empowered the marginalized, the focus of the video co-produced by Kaya Natin! Movement for Good Governance & Ethical Leadership (KN) and FNF Philippines.
Senators Kiko Pangilinan and TG Guingona also appeared in the video and talked about how Jesse became their model in terms of becoming a transparent and accountable public servant. Jesse is the type of guy who will not want you to grieve, not want you to be disheartened. He is the type who would not want you to lose inspiration. If we are to ensure that his legacy lives on, that he did not die in vain, then we have to carry on where he left off, and continue this effort in reshaping our communities and our nation, described Pangilinan.
The Jesse Robredo documentary is being shown in universities around the country. A dvd copy may be requested from Kaya Natin!
There is hope for Better Public Service
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24 | i am free
Activities
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FNF Philippines 2013 | 25
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Child Talk Four Child Rights Heroes EmergeA female superhero named Super Lady Strong who has the power to hear and immediately come to the rescue of children in trouble, with her sword and shield to protect kids and defend them from abuse, was introduced at the Child Rights Teaching and Learning for Kids (ChildTALK) seminar on May 8-10, 2013. Super Lady Strong, 3P (Pagpapaunlad, Pagpapahalaga at Pagproteksyon or nurturing, valuing and protecting children), KKK (Karapatan, Kalayaan para sa Kabataan or Rights and Freedom for Children) and Super Girl add to the growing number of young child rights advocates.
ChildTALK is a program of the Adhikain para sa Karapatang Pambata (AKAP) of the Ateneo Human Rights Center (AHRC) that trains children ages 13 to 17 years old coming from economically disadvantaged communities to understand and defend their rights.
These children are guided to develop teaching tools like presentation techniques that will allow them to impart their learning with other kids. Graduates of previous ChildTALK trainings become facilitators of activities for new trainees. 14 and 15 year olds who already went through the program will be among the mentors when the seminar is brought to provinces like Pampanga and Bicol. ChildTALK provides an avenue for child participation in an environment that is child-friendly and fun because children learn together with their peers.
The seminar on May 8-10 gathered 15 children from Barangay Valencia, Quezon City. ChildTALKs fourth batch of trainees decided to call their group K3: Kilos ng Kabataan para sa Komuninad (Youth Action for the Community). K3 committed to empowering other children to
We see the importance that the present administration is giving to leveling the playing !eld. The Philippines is an excellent candidate to take the step towards a solid competition law, said Guy Ledoux, Head of the European Union Delegation to the Philippines, in a forum on Fair Competition: Key to Economic Growth on 24 January 2012 in Makati City.
The activity became a platform for a !nal push for House Bill 4835, an anti-trust act prohibiting monopolies and penalizing anti-competitive agreements and mergers. According to Rep. Tom Apacible, Vice Chair of the House Committee on Trade & Industry of the 15th Congress, Without competition law as an anchor, it will be dif!cult to attract foreign investors. In the discussions, Asec. Geronimo Sy of the Department of Justice Of!ce for Competition that currently
advocate and protect child rights and become responsible members of their community. Teaching responsibility and initiative are important elements of ChildTALK, said Atty. Patty Sison-Arroyo, Executive Director of AKAP-AHRC.
The activity was sponsored by FNF Philippines.
Competition Do Not Deny Filipino Consumers Its Bene"tshandles cases on monopolization and cartel, and Department of Trade and Industry Usec. Zenaida Maglaya expressed their agreement that a competition policy will be bene!cial not only to invetors, but also to consumers who could become defenseless in the monopolistic behavior of big businesses. Competition provides consumers with more choices and therefore is a way to lower prices. It also gives small and medium enterprises a chance to grow, said Maglaya.
Stanley Wong, former Commissioner of the Competition Authority in Ireland who spoke at the forum, when asked whether the Philippines needs to establish a Fair Competition Commission, stated that these were details that could be dealt with later on. Sometimes these are excuses to not do anything. There is no single model for competition law, as it should take into regard the
business culture of a country. Keep it general and open. What is important is that a sense of institutional structure is developed. The bene!ts of a market economy should be shared, explained Wong. While the Philippines is seen as the sixth fastest growing economy in the world, it was said that it is still not moving fast enough. Wong was interviewed by business columnist Boo Chanco.
The event was co-organized by the EU Delegation and FNF Philippines.
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FNF Philippines 2013 | 27
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28 | i am free