December 2007
Dear friends of Philippine liberalism,
We are at the end of 2007, and were closing the year with a lot of activities.
In celebration of the primacy of the individual, many of our programs for the
month of December had human rights at its center.
The National Institute for Policy Studies held a couple of democracy fora.
These were designed to give people a chance to debate the current political
scenario. It also served as a venue to discuss specific issues like the Alston
report and the power sectors regulatory reform in more detail. The fora were
very well attended. It showed that interest in politics is alive and well,
especially among the students.
Addressing the continuance of extrajudicial killings was one of the main issues
at the human rights forum of the Ateneo Human Rights Center and the Philippine
Working Group for an ASEAN Human Rights Mechanism. Participants applauded the
Supreme Courts approval of the writ of amparo and its current deliberation on
the writ of habeas data.
Another positive news for human rights came with the incorporation of a human
rights body in the recently signed ASEAN Charter. Discussing its terms of
reference was one of the main topics of the Working Group for an ASEAN Human
Rights Mechanisms roundtable discussion with ASEAN officials in Manila.
The major event of the month took place in Taiwan. The Council of Asian
Liberals and Democrats (CALD) teamed up with Liberal International (LI), the
Taiwan Foundation for Democracy and the Democratic Progressive Party of Taiwan
to hold a conference on human rights. It looked at current challenges such as
the war on terror infringing on civil liberties. It also focused on the issue
of human trafficking. It was opened by President Chen Shui-bian and concluded
with LIs annual Isaiah Berlin Lecture. The conference was followed by the
annual general meeting of CALD, where the chairmanship passed from the Liberal
Party of the Philippines to the Singapore Democratic Party.
In tribute to the LPs leadership of CALD, we toasted former Senator Drilon and
Dr. Neric Acosta. As CALD chairman and secretary-general respectively, they
championed Asian liberal concerns and brought these to the attention of a
global audience.
This concludes a busy 2007, a year that has had many significant events. Under
the new leadership of Senator MAR Roxas, the Liberal Party of the Philippines
confidently looks forward to new opportunities in 2008. CALD aims to continue
its role in forging a stronger Asian liberal voice, and the Working Group will
strive to make the ASEAN human rights body relevant to the people of the
region.
For now, we wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Siegfried Siggi Herzog
Liberalism and Democracy in Asia: the Contribution of the Liberal Party of the
Philippines
The Liberal Party of the Philippines (LP) has held the leadership of the
Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD) for the last two years. Former
Senator Franklin Drilon served as chairman while Dr. Neric Acosta was
secretary-general. In tribute to their contributions to CALD and the cause of
liberalism worldwide, the Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FNF) and CALD honored
former Sen. Drilon and Dr. Acosta on 18 December 2007 in Quezon City. More:
http://www.fnf.org.ph/news/liberalism-and-democracy-in-asia.htm
ASEAN Signs the Charter: Human Rights Body Incorporated
The Friedrich Naumann Foundation applauded the culmination of the efforts of
the Working Group for an ASEAN Human Rights Mechanism (Working Group) with the
recent signing of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Charter on
20 November 2007. The heads of state of ASEAN acknowledged the Working Groups
role when it incorporated a human rights body as an organ in the charter and
recognized the Working Group as one of the entities associated with ASEAN.
More: http://www.fnf.org.ph/news/asean-signs-the-charter-human-rights-body.htm
Strengthening Networks and Combating Human Trafficking: LI and CALD Hold a
Conference on Human Rights
Liberal International (LI) and the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats
(CALD), with the support of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FNF) and the
Taiwan Fund for Democracy, organized the conference Strengthening Networks and
Combating Human Trafficking in Taipei, Taiwan from December 7-10 2007. Hosted
by the Democratic Progressive Party of Taiwan (DPP), the conference was
designed to create awareness of human trafficking in Asia, to analyze its
dynamics and to work out policy responses. It also looked at the role of
liberal parties and parliamentarians in the promotion and protection of human
rights. More:
http://www.fnf.org.ph/news/li-cald-hold-human-rights-conference.htm
The Human Rights Situation Today: Forum Reviews Countrys Human Rights Record
The Philippines human rights record rated dismally in the recently released
report of Philip Alston, United Nations special rapporteur. The prevalence of
extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances and arbitrary executions was
one of the issues discussed in the Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FNF), Ateneo
Human Rights Center and Philippine Working Group for an ASEAN Human Rights
Mechanism sponsored human rights forum in Quezon City on 12 December 2007. The
conference brought together actors from different sectors to evaluate what has
been done for the protection of human rights. More:
http://www.fnf.org.ph/news/the-human-rights-situation-today.htm
Challenges for a Nation in Transition: NIPS Holds Democracy Fora
In a participatory democracy, communication between political leaders and the
people should be ongoing. In order to promote continuous public dialogue on
current issues and events, the National Institute for Policy Studies (NIPS),
with the support of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FNF), held two democracy
fora. More: http://www.fnf.org.ph/news/challenges-for-nation-in-transition.htm
Economic Freedom of the World 2007 report Philippine edition
The Economic Freedom of the World 2007 report discusses the degree of economic
freedom around the world based on a composite index that includes: size of
government, legal structure and security of property rights, access to sound
money, freedom to trade internationally and regulation of credit, labor and
business in 141 nations. The report also compares economic freedom and other
desirable outcomes, such as prosperity or quality of life, as measured by the
UNDP Human Development report. It finds a strong correlation between economic
freedom and various important developmental goals. The Index has become an
important tool to evaluate economic policy worldwide.
http://www.fnf.org.ph/publications/index.htm
The International Academy for Leadership (IAF) 2008 program is out! IAF
includes new topics in its roster next year while continuing to offer its
popular online seminars and classic topics. Send application letters and CVs
to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Check out the program line-up at:
http://www.fnf.org.ph/seminars/2008-iaf-program.htm.
Liberalism and Morality:
A Five-Part Series
In this first episode of a five-part series, Alexandra Cuyegkeng and Siegfried
Herzog introduce Fr. Robert Sirico and Kris A. Mauren, founders of the Acton
Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty.
The succeeding instalments will feature excerpts from Fr. Siricos commentary
on the film along with snippets from several of his talks: Economics, Liberty
and Morality, Reconciling Christian Values and Free Market Principles and
Capitalism and Christian Values. Listen at:
http://www.fnf.org.ph/podcast/index.html.
Friedrich Naumann Foundation Philippines
Makati Central Post Office Box 3196 Makati City, 1271 Philippines
Tel.: + 632-840 3728/29
Fax: + 632-810 3189
Website: www.fnf.org.ph
Send comments to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Listen to The Liberal Times Manila Podcast
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