CALD Concludes PH Pre-Election Mission

The Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD) organized a week-long pre-election mission in Manila and Iloilo, Philippines on 9-15 April 2016. With delegates from CALD member-parties from Cambodia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mongolia, Taiwan, and Thailand, and from CALD partner, Africa Liberal Network (Seychelles), the mission aimed to provide the participants with a general understanding and appreciation of the Philippine democratic system, electoral framework and political party dynamics ahead of crucial presidential elections on 9 May 2016.

On the first day of the mission on 9 April, the delegation travelled from the historic Manila Hotel to the Liberal Party (LP) of the Philippines National Headquarters in Quezon City. There, they were given an overview of electoral preparations and strategies by LP officials including Gerry Bulatao, Lambert Ramirez, Rey de Guzman, Jr. and Stephen Roy Cruz. Said Cruz: “We are confident that the party machinery would deliver the votes for our candidates and bring us to victory come 9 May.” The LP then hosted a sumptuous welcome dinner afterwards.

The next day, 10 April, the delegation rose up early to join the annual Freedom Run organized by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FNF). With the theme, “I am Free from Corruption”, the fun run was participated in by thousands of runners who vowed not to squander the anti-corruption gains of the past years and to continue the straight path to good governance by choosing the right candidates in the upcoming elections. After lunch in Ilustrado and a quick tour of San Agustin Church and Museum, the delegation proceeded to the University of Santo Tomas for the Vice-Presidential Debates organized by the Commission of Elections (COMELEC). Senator Mardi Seng, A Cambodian member of the delegation, opined: “The debate is full of energy. Political debate is democracy in action. To televise a formal debate between candidates is a sign of healthy democracy, which Cambodia is lacking.” The long day was capped by a traditional Filipino dinner at Barbara’s.

The third day, 11 April, the delegation went to the COMELEC Head Office for a briefing of Commissioner Luie Guia and Spokesperson James Jimenez. They provided an overview of the upcoming elections and the preparations of the commission, particularly in relation to automation. After the COMELEC meeting, the delegation members flew to LP bailiwick Iloilo City where they were welcomed by LP Vice President for the Visayas, Congressman Jerry Trenas. Said Trenas: “The LP is strong in Iloilo because here, the government works and the people can clearly see that.”

On 12 April, the delegation was treated to an Iloilo City tour which showcased the city’s modern infrastructure, magnificent churches, and old mansions and buildings. After an Ilonggo cuisine lunch at Camiña Balay Nga Bato, the delegation joined the campaign-consultations of local candidates in three different locations in the city. These meetings, which were meant to bring the party’s campaign message to the grassroots, also showcased the use of Filipino musicality in the campaign as almost all of the local candidates could either sing or dance. The day ended with a debriefing session over a relaxed dinner setting.

The following day, 13 April, the delegation returned to Manila and after lunch in Metro Manila’s newest business district, Bonifacio Global City, the delegates went to the campaign headquarters of Senate President Franklin Drilon, who is running for reelection. Drilon, who also previously served as CALD Chair, is also the incumbent Vice-Chairperson of LP. He greeted the delegation and expressed his appreciation for the latter’s visit in his home province, Iloilo.

The highlight of the mission was the last day, 14 April, when the delegation joined officials, members and supporters of LP at the historic Club Filipino for their event dubbed, “Tuloy-Tuloy, Sama-Sama” (roughly translated as “Continuing Together”). In that event, Philippine President Benigno Simeon Aquino III, who also serves as LP Chairperson, spoke together with the party’s standard bearers, presidential candidate Mar Roxas and vice-presidential candidate Leni Robredo. After the event, the delegation met over lunch with Ronald Holmes, President of Pulse Asia, Inc., one of the two largest survey organizations in the Philippines, to discuss recent survey trends pertaining to the election. The last order of business for the delegation was the FNF forum, “Bark: Unmuting the Silence on Martial Law”, which aimed to draw experiences from various countries with regard to dealing with military past. The forum proved to be relevant to the elections because the current survey frontrunners are either supporter of strong-arm rule, or personally connected to the Philippine martial law regime.

“My countrymen, my bosses: we are honorable, we are decent and we will truly win,” LP presidential candidate Roxas claimed in the 14 April show-of-force. CALD will be watching with great anticipation if this prediction would turn into reality come 9 May.