05/07/2021
The on The Faces of Democracy in the Philippines actually wrapped up last saturday. For this post, as a late announcement, YCU Dumaguete Chapter shares the points of importance expressed by the speakers, informator, and reactors. 🇵🇭
The formal discussion began with informator Kuya Bert Jameson Daria, who elucidated on the core principles and ideas espoused in Young Centrists Union and what may brought the youth together. As a person championing for social change, he believed in the idea of making each young Filipino informed and principled that they become capable in executing the change everyone dreamt of for a better Philippines.
1st Core Topic - The Rise of Demcoracy in the Philippines 🌏
As the webinar moved, Sir Eduard Catapusan - the first core speaker - mapped out the birthing of the historic concepts which enveloped the posture of the current democracy enjoyed by the land. It was in this discussion where the roots of the Philippine elite was discussed. Sir Eduard himself, pointed out that there are also local elites.
Furthermore, the speaker stressed during his presentation the deliberative capacity - composed by authenticity, inclusiveness and consequentiality - as indicators of democratic quality in the case of the Philippines and emphasized on practicing the "collection of decisions to know what is really better...". Capturing the minds of the participants, the speaker ended by presenting the problems which have been staining our institutions plus the kind of participation the masses have in the public space - particularly in terms of political values and culture.
As a reaction, Ms. Eloise V. Logarta, pitched the importance of education in a democracy and expressed that, "up until this day we [Filipinos] are yet to see genuine free education." The reactor further expressed that the negative connotations of politics made the average Filipino detached and then disenfranchised. She stressed that the level of education we have reflects our kind of democracy. When pointing out the root of such a detached position with the problems of democracy, Eloise vocalized, "that the blame should not be put solely on the average Filipino person barely getting by."
2nd Core Topic - The Philippine Dilemma of Democratic Consolidation 🏛️
On the later part, the 2nd Speaker, Mr. Mick Ian Cornelia, reviewed on the foundations of democracy and explained the importance as to why a democracy should mature. Additionally, it was in his discussion where the processes of democratization were delineated.
For an effective democracy, Sir Mick emphasized on the principle of separation of powers and the need of the departments to be independently functional away from any pressure and influence of the others. He also pointed out the approaches that can determine the extent of consolidation in a democracy. The speaker ended by presenting various indicators for democractic consolidation to be actualized, and conveyed that for it to happen we need to "stand by it" and "accept it."
As a reaction, Mr. Nielson Gomera, expressed the importance of the individual and its responsibility in the social space for the alleviation of many problems faced like corruption. He further emphasized that democracy is a rule of the people.
Philippine Democracy? What then? 🤔
The Philippines may have a low quality of democracy but the vibrance it reflects at the discourse and interactions within the public space apparently provides the healthy aspect and side of it. The people should not identify itself with the will of the leader, for the public space - as ingrained with history - is born out of the national spirit, to which its participants are the powerful.
💪 Young Centrists Union - Dumaguete Chapter would like to thank Konrad Adenauer Stiftung - Philippines, as the major partner in the implementation of this activity.
