Philippines
The Philippines exhibits mid-range performance across all four categories of the Global State of Democracy framework. Over the last five years, there have been notable declines in Freedom of Expression, Freedom of Association and Assembly, Economic Equality and Absence of Corruption, due to phenomena such as police violence and the suppression of the freedom of expression. At the same time, there are nascent signals of the opening of democratic space. This dynamic economy is rooted in strong domestic consumption and remittances, with a growing services sector, including tourism and the finance and insurance industries, with Business Process Outsourcing contributing significantly to the economy.
The Philippines has had a long history of revolutions against repressive colonial (Spanish, American and Japanese) and postcolonial governments. Since achieving de facto independence in 1946, it has struggled to counteract the negative effects of repressive and corrupt political dynasties, widely divided socioeconomic classes, and ethno-religious and ideological fault lines, resulting in decades of armed struggles and conflicts at the local level.
President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., first elected in 1965, declared martial law in 1972 and imposed a military-backed dictatorship for over a decade, until he was deposed by the 1986 People Power revolution, a peaceful revolt that has influenced a number of popular uprisings against dictatorships in Asia and beyond. Since then, democratization has made progress in fits and starts. National politics continue to be dominated by political dynasties, and the public has expressed anger at elites’ refusal to share power more widely and at the slow pace of socioeconomic and political reforms. Throughout its history, the Catholic Church has been a socio-political force, particularly during the People Power revolution, and a key player in debates on public policy, despite formal separation of church and state in the constitution. Patronage and clientelism remain influential in driving party politics in the country, with corruption and economic challenges like poverty shaping voting behavior.
The ethno-religious and ideological fault lines are based on two conflicts. In Mindanao, an armed struggle for an independent region, launched in 1969, culminated in an agreement to establish a self-governing autonomous region in the Muslim-dominated areas of Mindanao, the ‘Bangsamoro’, by law in 2019. The second, which is the longest running communist insurgency in Asia, pits the New People’s Army, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, against the national government. Ongoing human rights abuses initiated by the former administration’s “War on Drugs” campaign, as well as the persistent practice of “red tagging” government critics as communist insurgency supporters, remain key areas of concerns.
The Philippines is among the strongest performing countries in Gender Equality in Asia and the Pacific, having made substantial in progress in eliminating discrimination against women through landmark legislation like the Magna Carta for Women Act of 2009. However, challenges persist in addressing gender-based violence and improving women's political representation and labor force participation.
It will be important to watch Civil Liberties and Rule of Law in the years ahead, especially in relation to media freedom and justice for past regimes’ violations. Many aspects of democracy may also be impacted by the new law in Bangsamoro, which grants increased autonomy to the region. Rights and other aspects of democracy may also be affected by proposed but controversial constitutional reform. The government’s commitment to fighting corruption will also impact Predictable Enforcement. Opportunities for improvement will depend on the level of transparency and access to information and education on the legacy of political dynasties for younger generations of Filipinos.
Last Updated: June 2024
https://www.idea.int/democracytracker/
February 2025
Vice President impeached over corruption and death threat allegations
On 5 February, lawmakers voted to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte over several allegations, including for high-level corruption and threatening President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The development follows months of an escalating feud between Marcos and Duterte. The impeachment motion cited constitutional violations, betrayal of public trust, graft, and other serious crimes. An investigation into the misuse of public funds related to Duterte's roles as vice president and former education secretary is ongoing. Duterte denies any wrongdoing and will remain in office until her Senate impeachment trial, likely set for July after the midterm elections. If convicted, she could be removed from office and barred from future government positions, though it is uncertain if this would lead to a criminal case requiring her to return public funds.
Sources: Rappler, Reuters, East Asia Forum
Concerns raised over escalated terrorism financing cases against civil society
According to local human rights lawyers, terrorism financing cases rose from 14 in 2023 to 66 in 2024—a 371 per cent increase, primarily targeting activists and human rights defenders. Many of the reported cases have involved individuals accused by the government of links to the communist insurgency, a claim often tied to the country’s widespread practice of “red tagging.” The findings came to light as the Philippines, in February, was removed from the “grey list” of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), an intergovernmental organization supervising the international financial system. The designation had long restricted trade and financial transactions for Filipinos. While government officials welcomed the development, rights experts and advocates have warned that this coincides with the government’s escalating efforts to file baseless charges against civil society and activists. Human Rights Watch states that FATF standards have been weaponized to suppress dissent and arbitrarily freeze the assets of civil society groups.
Sources: Human Rights Watch, The Diplomat, Rappler, International IDEA
September 2024
President signs law to protect seafarer worker rights
On 23 September, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed the long-awaited Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers into law, establishing a framework for the rights, welfare and working conditions of Filipino seafarers, whether on Philippine or foreign-registered vessels. The law guarantees rights such as the freedom to self-organize, fair wages, safe working conditions and protection against discrimination. According to the Department of Migrant Workers, the Act will benefit over half a million Filippino seafarers, who make up one in every four seafarers worldwide. The law also includes special protections for women sailors, who account for about two per cent of all employment in the sector, against widespread discrimination and harassment. While labour unions welcomed the landmark legislation in safeguarding seafarers' rights, some rights advocates have raised concerns that specific provisions benefit shipping companies and manning agencies over seafarers and exclude overseas fishers.
Sources: Rappler, Inquirer, Senate of the Philippines, Philippines News Agency
June 2024
Senator Leila de Lima freed after seven years
On 24 June, a regional trial court acquitted former senator Leila de Lima on the last of three cases she faced related to conspiracy to commit drug trading. Leila de Lima was previously granted bail in November 2023, after having been held in pre-trial detention for nearly seven years on charges widely believed to be politically motivated and in return for her criticism of former President Rodrigo Duterte’s “war on drugs” campaign. Legal and rights experts have welcomed the long overdue verdict, urging the government to investigate those responsible for the unfounded allegations that led to her arbitrary detention.
Sources: Rappler, Amnesty International, Al Jazeera, International IDEA
May 2024
Supreme Court declares ‘red tagging’ a threat to life
On 8 May, the Supreme Court (SC) issued a landmark ruling that declared accusing someone of having ties to the Communist insurgency (known locally as ‘red-tagging’) a threat to life, liberty, and security, potentially justifying the issuance of protection orders for those so-affected. The decision marks the first time a court has explicitly defined red-tagging, providing a legal basis for persons challenging the practice. For decades, government or law enforcement agencies have used red-tagging (or red-baiting) to accuse thousands of critics or oppositional figures of ties with the country’s Communist insurgency, endangering them of enforced disappearance or extrajudicial killings. The SC decision stems from a 2020 petition filed by activist and former lawmaker Siegfried Deduro who was red-tagged by the military and faced harassment. Rights experts hope this ruling will set a precedent for pending red-tagging complaints and have urged the legislature to pass laws that criminalise unfounded communist accusations (which are most often made by government officials).
Sources: Human Rights Watch, Rappler (1), Republic of the Philippines Commission on Human Rights, Amnesty International, Rappler (2), Supreme Court of the Philippines
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