Challenges to Philippine Democracy: A Continuing Struggle

The Philippines is a democratic nation, but its system continues to face serious challenges. While principles of democracy like free elections, rule of law, and citizen participation are in place, issues such as corruption, human rights violations, and electoral manipulation threaten these foundations. The 1986 People Power Revolution, also known as the EDSA Revolution, was a pivotal moment in reclaiming democracy after years of dictatorship, but many of the same struggles that marked that period persist today. As the country continues to face these challenges, the fight to uphold and strengthen its democratic values remains critical.

Electoral Integrity

One of the critical threats to Philippine democracy is the manipulation of election results. Vote-buying and vote-selling, long standing issues in the country, remain widespread. In the 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) confirmed more than 100 cases of candidates involved in vote-buying. While this occurred during local elections, the impact is magnified at the national level. Elections in the Philippines are often marred by gun violence and a surge in false information spread through social media. Misinformation has become one of the most insidious forms of electoral manipulation.

Human Rights Concerns

Despite some improvements in the humanitarian situation for women and children in the Philippines, many still face deep-rooted challenges in fully realizing their rights. Between January 1 and February 4, 2024, the Child Protection Network Foundation (CPN) reported 646 cases of violence against children, including 462 (71.52%) involving sexual abuse or assault.
Additionally, 216 cases of violence against women were reported in the same period. While the Philippines is classified as a Tier 1 country in the U.S. State Department’s Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report, indicating progress in combating trafficking, challenges with commercial sexual exploitation and trafficking remain. The broader human rights situation is also troubling, with ongoing international scrutiny over extrajudicial killings (EJKs), particularly related to the “war on drugs.”

Corruption

Corruption remains a persistent problem in the Philippines. As of the latest Transparency International report for 2023, the Philippines is ranked 116th out of 180 countries on the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI). Recent notable corruption cases in the Philippines include concerns over the use of confidential and intelligence funds (CIFs), which are not subjected to standard auditing rules, leading to issues with inadequate documentation and transparency. The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) scandal is particularly significant, involving the advancement of P15.5 billion to private and government hospitals during the pandemic. Congressional investigations revealed that the Interim Reimbursement Mechanism (IRM) was misused to pay 51 hospitals with fraudulent claims in 2020 and was reportedly employed to favor certain health institutions during COVID-19. Additionally, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) has faced ongoing issues with smuggling and corruption. These cases reflect broader systemic issues affecting various government sectors.

Freedom of Speech

The Philippine Constitution guarantees freedom of speech, including press freedom, which protects individuals’ right to publish freely without prior restraint. However, media in the Philippines remain vulnerable to those seeking to control and manipulate information. The shutdown of the country’s largest television network during the pandemic, along with persistent harassment, “red-tagging,” and the assassination of media workers, raises significant concerns. When freedom of expression is curtailed, Filipinos lose access to vital information.

The Path Forward

Philippine democracy remains relatively young, and many are now more aware of the long-term shadows hurled on our democracy. To address these fundamental issues, it is crucial for both the government and civil society to work together to ensure that all citizens, especially children, have full access to their rights and liberties as democratic Filipino citizens.*