The analysis concludes with a discussion of America’s extremely limited support for human rights and democracy in the Philippines since Duterte became president and offers suggestions for a more robust response. government and America’s nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) can and should do to defend democracy in America’s former colony. The Duterte administration’s assault on human rights and democracy also raises the question of what the U.S. This working paper takes an in-depth look at the complex dynamics contributing to democratic backsliding in the Philippines. But to focus only on Duterte fails to appreciate two other important elements: the extent to which this degradation has happened through nominally legal means, and the limited pushback to date by groups and institutions opposed to strongman rule. The combination of the Philippines’ powerful presidency and the malleability of most of its political institutions is resulting in significant democratic backsliding. It has run roughshod over human rights, its political opponents, and the country’s democratic institutions. The Duterte government’s track record regarding human rights and democracy is undoubtedly disturbing. The picture is a mixed one, with elements of change, continuity, and regression. Two and a half years into his presidency, it is both warranted and possible to assess what has and has not changed under Duterte. As a candidate, Duterte promised that he would produce real and rapid improvements in the lives of Filipinos, particularly by aggressively addressing crime and corruption. Timberman is an independent scholar and development practitioner who has addressed the challenges of democratic politics and governance in Southeast Asia for over thirty years.Īlthough the attention to Duterte and his brutal drug war is warranted, much less attention has been paid to his administration’s broader policy agenda, its approach to politics and governance, and its broader impact on democratic institutions and norms.
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