Bruno Kaufmann: ‘People Power’ was the slogan when former dictator Ferdinand Marcos was toppled almost 30 years ago. What’s left today?
Ramon Casiple: Quite a lot actually. The ‘People Power’ spirit has shaped our laws and institutions. This means that our constitution and institutions are without a doubt some of the most democratic ones across Asia.
B.K.: But still, specific circumstances still receive criticism.
R.C.: And rightly so! At the end of the day, our elite has not changed as much as it might appear.
Up until this very day, only offspring from the super rich elite have managed to hold a high political office.
This is the result of weak political structures in combination with strong family ties. If you want to become head of state, you have to cough up at least half a billion Swiss francs.
B.K.: It’s a difficult combination: on one hand your political system has adopted direct democracy, and on the other hand the social structures of you country still encourage inequality. How can this be overcome?
R.C.: We need comprehensive reforms. Switzerland can be a great role model in this, and I particularly envisage authorising individual citizens to take on more responsibilities.
Since the regime of Marcos was toppled, not a single government in the Philippines has dealt with this question or invested in political education.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
‘In search of small but significant things for democracy’
This content was published on
They are pretty well set up and their cosy camp features a field kitchen, sleeping tents and a powerful sound system. This summer, members of the conservative right Catholics have been camping out in front of the entrance to the city hall in the South Korean capital, Seoul, and they know exactly what they don’t…
This content was published on
“Switzerland is not exactly what you would call a maritime power. This is true despite the fact that the Swiss Alinghi sailing boat won the America’s Cup twice!” Burkhalter joked on Saturday in Singapore. “But while Switzerland is not a maritime power, it is a mediation power. As an impartial and credible actor, Switzerland facilitates…
This content was published on
Nearly 47,000 victims’ claims have been filed, more than double expectations, and more are being accepted until May 30. Payment is expected by next year – exactly three decades after Swiss authorities first froze Marcos’ hidden deposits. The long wait has compounded problems, according to one post on the Facebook page of the Philippines’ Human…
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.