CALD & FNF |
CALD Calls for Political Party Reform and Renewal
11 November 2013 The Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD) capped its 20th anniversary events with a conference on how political parties can be reconnected to the general public in an age defined by popular disenchantment with these political institutions. Held in the Centennial Ballroom of the Manila Hotel on 11 November 2013, the conference was attended by CALD member parties, partners, representatives of international institutions, and civil society organizations from the Philippines. http://cald.org/site/cald/?p=7396#sthash.B1gtF90B.dpuf “It was CALD’s Tour de Force” – Acosta 09 November 2013 This was how CALD Secretary General Neric Acosta described CALD’s 20th Anniversary Dinner held on 9 November 2013 in the beautifully decorated Maynila Ballroom of the Manila Hotel in Manila, Philippines. Acosta, who also served as one of the event’s masters of ceremonies together with former CALD Secretary General Bi-khim Hsiao, said that the gathering was “a testament to what CALD has achieved in the past twenty years and what more it can accomplish in the decades to come.” http://cald.org/site/cald/?p=7394#sthash.H2Hy77PW.dpuf Freedom Flames in All Sectors: No Monopoly of Good Governance 10 November 2013 14 individuals were awarded the Freedom Flames on 10 November 2013 for their commitment to good governance and freedom. Leaders from government, civil society organizations and media received the recognition for their inclusive leadership that re-shapes communities and meets the needs of ordinary people. “It is critical that we ensure effective cooperation and coordination between our leaders and communities if we are to affect real impacts in good governance,” said Former Senator Kiko Pangilinan. “The most important thing is that no one has the monopoly of good governance. We have to create synergy so we will be able to do more,” added Harvey Keh. Pangilinan and Keh are awardees from Kaya Natin! Movement for Good Governance & Ethical Leadership. Senator Aquino Believes in Filipino Resilience 10 November 2013 In his Freedom Speech addressing the state of freedom in the Philippines, Senator Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino recognized the “more than usual number” of challenges the country has experienced this year, but expressed optimism that Filipinos will be able to rise again and move forward. “I am certain that our resilience will be able to carry us through,” he said. http://fnf.org.ph/news/fnfnews.php?id=101&article=Senator_Aquino_Believes_in_Filipino_Resilience Over 3000 Endorse Anti-Corruption Campaign 10 November 2013 Dingdong Dantes, Marian Rivera, Noel Cabangon, Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte and Former Congressman Erin Tañada, along with 40 delegates from the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD) and the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE), and more than 3000 runners trooped to Quezon Memorial Circle on 10 November 2013 for the Freedom Run, showing their support for the campaign “i am free from corruption.” http://fnf.org.ph/news/fnfnews.php?id=100&article=Over_3000_Endorse_Anti-Corruption_Campaign Asian and European Liberals Converge in Manila 09 November 2013 Last 8-9 November 2013, the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD) and the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) converged in Manila, Philippines for the 6th CALD-ALDE Meeting. This was the second time that Manila hosted such biennial gathering since Asian and European liberals first met in Brussels, Belgium in 2004. The 2013 Manila meeting, however, was made more special as it coincided with CALD’s 20th anniversary celebration. The theme of the event focused on the increasing shift of global power to Asia and how countries in Asia and external actors are responding to this development. More specifically, the meeting discussed how Asia’s political-security environment, economic clout, and regional integration impact on strategic relations between Asia and Europe. The objective was for CALD and ALDE to come up with a common understanding and response to the changing dynamics of global and regional power relations. http://cald.org/site/cald/?p=7390#sthash.CMRBg40W.dpuf CALD Execom Passes Resolution on Thailand 08 November 2013 Members of the CALD Executive Committee who convened in Manila, Philippines on 8 November 2013 unanimously passed a resolution expressing CALD’s strong support to the Thai people’s rights to peacefully organize and express their opinion against the passage of the controversial Amnesty Act. The said piece of legislation provides blanket amnesty to “…the persons accused of wrongdoings…from 2004 to 8 August 2013 regardless of their role whether the persons are instigators, supporters, or persons who ordered the criminal act, or the principal, if the act is unlawful, the persons shall be free from the liability and responsibility.” http://cald.org/site/cald/?p=7392#sthash.v3Z5Ya6b.dpuf CALD Youth tackles Party Reform and Renewal 08 November 2013 The Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD) Youth in partnership with the University of Sto. Tomas – Faculty of Arts and Letters held a fruitful seminar on the topic “Party Reform and Renewal: Youth’s Role in Re-establishing Public Faith in Political Parties” on the 8th of November 2013. The looming typhoon did not dampen the spirit of youth leaders to participate in the activity which served as a platform for discussion about youth leadership, the importance of political parties, and youth participation in political and democratic processes. http://cald.org/site/cald/?p=7386#sthash.QknSdvOl.dpuf
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BURMA |
Suu Kyi insists constitutional amendments “not to reduce military power”
20 November 2013 NAY PYI TAW—Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi told a public meeting on Monday that she insists on amending the 2008 Constitution not to reduce military power but in the hope that the army will become a democratic institution that is respected and loved by the people. Burma’s Transition ‘Important for Global Democracy’ 04 November 2013 RANGOON — The head of a US-funded pro-democracy group says Burma is unlikely to revert to its authoritarian past, but that setbacks to the country’s democratization are inevitable as it shakes off 50 years of military rule. Speaking to The Irrawaddy following meetings with government leaders, activists and civil society groups in Rangoon and Naypyidaw last week, Carl Gershman of the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) said the country’s political trajectory was “important for global democracy, not just important for democracy in Burma.” http://www.irrawaddy.org/burma/burmas-transition-important-global-democracy.html |
CAMBODIA |
No Progress Reported as Political Parties Meet Over Deadlock
06 November 2013 PHNOM PENH & WASHINGTON DC – Cambodia’s ruling and opposition parties returned to the negotiating table on Tuesday, seeking to end a political impasse stemming from an election the opposition says was deeply marred by fraud. The two sides met for three hours at the National Assembly, the main legislative body for the country and one that the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party has boycotted in the wake of July’s election.
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INDONESIA |
Only three candidates will run for president in 2014: LSI
04 November 2013 As only parties with a large number of seats in the House of Representatives can nominate a candidate for the 2014 presidential election, the Jakarta-based pollster Indonesian Survey Circle (LSI) predicted that there would only be three contenders running in the election next July. LSI predicted that other than Golkar and the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), which would both likely hold enough seats in the House to run a presidential candidate, a coalition of political parties under the so-called “central axis” would combine seats to field a contender. http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2013/11/04/only-three-candidates-will-run-president-2014-lsi.html |
PHILIPPINES |
Binay allies out to cripple PNoy, LP says
09 November 2013 MANILA, Philippines – Allies of Vice President Jejomar Binay are out to cripple President Aquino politically so his endorsement of his successor in the 2016 elections would not carry much weight, leaders of the ruling Liberal Party (LP) claimed yesterday. Western Samar Rep. Mel Senen Sarmiento, who is LP secretary-general, said administration critics identified with Binay’s United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) are working to “discredit the administration of President Aquino and diminish the power of his endorsement in the 2016 national elections.” http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/11/08/13/binay-allies-out-cripple-pnoy-lp-says |
TAIWAN |
DPP announces 2014 election nominees
21 November 2013 The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) yesterday announced its first round of mayoral nominees for the seven-in-one elections to be held in 2014, with Chairman Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) declaring that the party will try to bag three out of the six municipalities directly under the central government. http://www.chinapost.com.tw/taiwan/national/national-news/2013/11/21/394151/DPP-announces.htm DPP willing to normalize Taiwan-China relations 09 November 2013 Manila, Nov. 9 (CNA) Opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Chairman Su Tseng-chang said Saturday that his party is willing to enter political talks with China. “The DPP is committed to its responsibilities for the future of Taiwan, is willing to reconcile through dialogue as a means of normalizing cross-strait relations, and desires to be a responsible partner of fellow democracies in the Asia-Pacific,” Su said during a speech at the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD) in Manila. http://focustaiwan.tw/news/acs/201311090026.aspx DPP welcomes agreement with Singapore, pledges support 08 November 2013 TAIPEI–The main opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) welcomed the signing of an economic agreement between Taiwan and Singapore Thursday, saying it would support the pact when it is submitted to the Legislature for review. Liu Shih-chung, the DPP’s chief of international affairs, also said the DPP government, which was in power from 2000 to 2008, had started the push for the agreement and the party has maintained contact with leaders of the Singaporean government on the progress of the pact. http://www.chinapost.com.tw/taiwan/business/2013/11/08/393156/DPP-welcomes.htm DPP attacks president’s plan to raise debt ceiling 08 November 2013 The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) yesterday blasted President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) over his comment that Taiwan’s national debt was a “nonissue” and said the party opposed Ma’s intention to raise the debt ceiling. “Ma’s comment reflects his ignorance and incompetence as government finances have deteriorated under his leadership. Taiwan will not have the EU to bail it out before it goes over the financial cliff,” DPP spokesperson Lin Chun-hsien (林俊憲) told a press conference. http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2013/11/08/2003576408 |
THAILAND |
Democrats target PM in parliament and on streets
15 November 2013 The Democrat Party submitted a petition to the Senate on Friday, seeking the removal from office of Prime Minister and Defence Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, her deputy Plodprasop Suraswadi and Minister Charupong Ruangsuwan. The party also filed a motion for a no-confidence debate in the House, targeting the prime minister and Mr Charupong. The impeachment motion is the first step in the process. http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/380025/democrats-file-for-impeachment-and-no-confidence-motion Thai ruling coalition partners vow to dump amnesty bill if Senate vetos 09 November 2013 Four coalition partners of Thai government on Saturday signed a joint declaration that they will definitely dump the controversial blanket amnesty bill if it is rejected by the Senate. The leaders of the Pheu Thai (For Thais) Party and three partners signed the joint declaration at the headquarters of the ruling party. None of the lawmakers of the coalition parties will reintroduce the amnesty bill and push it through parliament if it is turned down by the Senate on Monday, according to the joint declaration. http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/823700.shtml#.UoAbdJSMEVl Govt given ultimatum on amnesty 07 November 2013 The Democrats have given an ultimatum to the Pheu Thai Party to scrap the controversial amnesty bill by Monday. “By 6pm on Monday, the bill must be gone from parliament. Otherwise, we will do what we have to do,” Democrat MP Suthep Thaugsuban, who is leading the protest on Ratchadamnoen Avenue, announced to demonstrators there. The ultimatum came after the protest against the blanket amnesty bill escalated on Wednesday. http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/378548/govt-given-ultimatum-on-amnesty |
INTERNATIONAL |
Distinguished global liberals honour 20 years of CALD
14 November 2013 Addressing liberals from around the world, LI President Hans Van Baalen MEP and LI Secretary General Emil Kirjas, have spoken at the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats’ (LI cooperating organisation) 20th Anniversary, which took place in Manila, Philippines. The celebrations aimed to foster discussions on how global, regional and national developments impact on inter-regional cooperation, the state of freedom and political party reform. President Van Baalen said: “It is individuals who build democracy and create freedom, but organisations like CALD provide a crucial platform. Liberal parties should work together because they combine core values – such as civil rights, liberal markets, and entrepreneurship.” http://liberal-international.org/site/Distinguished_global_liberals_honour_20_years_of_CALD.html “A man-made disaster” – Sir Graham returns from the typhoon-hit Philippines 11 November 2013 ALDE Party President Sir Graham Watson has returned from a three-day meeting in the Philippines, describing the devastation wrought by Typhoon Haiyan as “a man-made disaster”. Sir Graham was able to talk to government ministers and to witness at first hand the government’s response to the developing emergency. In Manila, the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD) celebrated their 20th anniversary. CALD, which has become a unique platform for dialogue and cooperation between liberal and democratic parties in Asia, met with politicians from the European Union at the 6th CALD-ALDE meeting, which was held on the fringe of the anniversary. |
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