Keep Us Strong WikiLeaks logo

Currently released so far... 97115 / 251,287

Articles

Browse latest releases

Browse by creation date

Browse by origin

A B C D F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z

Browse by tag

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
ETRD EAGR ETTC EAID ECON EFIN ECIN EINV ELAB EAIR ENRG EPET EWWT ECPS EIND EMIN ELTN EC ETMIN EUC EZ ET ELECTIONS ENVR EU EUN EG EINT ER ECONOMICS ES EMS ENIV EEB EN ECE ECOSOC EK ENVIRONMENT EFIS EI EWT ENGRD ECPSN EXIM EIAD ERIN ECPC EDEV ENGY ECTRD EPA ESTH ECCT EINVECON ENGR ERTD EUR EAP EWWC ELTD EL EXIMOPIC EXTERNAL ETRDEC ESCAP ECO EGAD ELNT ECONOMIC ENV ETRN EIAR EUMEM ENRGPARMOTRASENVKGHGPGOVECONTSPLEAID EREL ECOM ECONETRDEAGRJA ETCC ETRG ECONOMY EMED ETR ENERG EITC EFINOECD EURM EENG ERA EXPORT ENRD ECONEINVETRDEFINELABETRDKTDBPGOVOPIC EGEN EBRD EVIN ETRAD ECOWAS EFTA ECONETRDBESPAR EGOVSY EPIN EID ECONENRG EDRC ESENV ETT EB ENER ELTNSNAR ECHEVARRIA ETRC EPIT EDUC ESA EFI ENRGY ESCI EE EAIDXMXAXBXFFR EETC ECIP EIAID EIVN EBEXP ESTN EING EGOV ETRA EPETEIND ELAN ETRDGK EAIDRW ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS EPEC ENVI ELN EAG EPCS EPRT EPTED ETRB EUM EAIDS EFIC EFINECONEAIDUNGAGM EAIDAR ESF EIDN ELAM EDU EV EAIDAF ECN EDA EXBS EINTECPS ENRGTRGYETRDBEXPBTIOSZ EPREL EAC EINVEFIN ETA EAGER EINDIR ECA ECLAC ELAP EITI EUCOM ECONEFINETRDPGOVEAGRPTERKTFNKCRMEAID EARG ELDIN EINVKSCA ENNP EFINECONCS EFINTS ECCP ETC EAIRASECCASCID EINN ETRP EAIDNI EFQ ECOQKPKO EGPHUM EBUD ECONEINVEFINPGOVIZ ENERGY ELB EINDETRD EMI ECONEFIN EIB EURN ETRDEINVTINTCS EIN EFIM ETIO ELAINE EMN EATO EWTR EIPR EINVETC ETTD ETDR EIQ ECONCS EPPD ENRGIZ EISL ESPINOSA ELEC EAIG ESLCO EUREM ENTG ERD EINVECONSENVCSJA EEPET EUNCH ECINECONCS ETRO ETRDECONWTOCS ECUN EFND EPECO EAIRECONRP ERGR ETRDPGOV ECPN ENRGMO EPWR EET EAIS EAGRE EDUARDO EAGRRP EAIDPHUMPRELUG EICN ECONQH EVN EGHG ELBR EINF EAIDHO EENV ETEX ERNG ED
KMDR KPAO KPKO KJUS KCRM KGHG KFRD KWMN KDEM KTFN KHIV KGIC KIDE KSCA KNNP KHUM KIPR KSUM KISL KIRF KCOR KRCM KPAL KWBG KN KS KOMC KSEP KFLU KPWR KTIA KSEO KMPI KHLS KICC KSTH KMCA KVPR KPRM KE KU KZ KFLO KSAF KTIP KTEX KBCT KOCI KOLY KOR KAWC KACT KUNR KTDB KSTC KLIG KSKN KNN KCFE KCIP KGHA KHDP KPOW KUNC KDRL KV KPREL KCRS KPOL KRVC KRIM KGIT KWIR KT KIRC KOMO KRFD KUWAIT KG KFIN KSCI KTFIN KFTN KGOV KPRV KSAC KGIV KCRIM KPIR KSOC KBIO KW KGLB KMWN KPO KFSC KSEAO KSTCPL KSI KPRP KREC KFPC KUNH KCSA KMRS KNDP KR KICCPUR KPPAO KCSY KTBT KCIS KNEP KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KNNB KGCC KINR KPOP KMFO KENV KNAR KVIR KDRG KDMR KFCE KNAO KDEN KGCN KICA KIMMITT KMCC KLFU KMSG KSEC KUM KCUL KMNP KSMT KCOM KOMCSG KSPR KPMI KRAD KIND KCRP KAUST KWAWC KTER KCHG KRDP KPAS KITA KTSC KPAOPREL KWGB KIRP KJUST KMIG KLAB KTFR KSEI KSTT KAPO KSTS KLSO KWNN KPOA KHSA KNPP KPAONZ KBTS KWWW KY KJRE KPAOKMDRKE KCRCM KSCS KWMNCI KESO KWUN KPLS KIIP KEDEM KPAOY KRIF KGICKS KREF KTRD KFRDSOCIRO KTAO KJU KWMNPHUMPRELKPAOZW KEN KO KNEI KEMR KKIV KEAI KWAC KRCIM KWCI KFIU KWIC KCORR KOMS KNNO KPAI KBWG KTTB KTBD KTIALG KILS KFEM KTDM KESS KNUC KPA KOMCCO KCEM KRCS KWBGSY KNPPIS KNNPMNUC KWN KERG KLTN KALM KCCP KSUMPHUM KREL KGH KLIP KTLA KAWK KWMM KVRP KVRC KAID KSLG KDEMK KX KIF KNPR KCFC KFTFN KTFM KPDD KCERS KMOC KDEMAF KMEPI KEMS KDRM KEPREL KBTR KEDU KNP KIRL KNNR KMPT KISLPINR KTPN KA KJUSTH KPIN KDEV KTDD KAKA KFRP KWNM KTSD KINL KJUSKUNR KWWMN KECF KWBC KPRO KVBL KOM KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KEDM KFLD KLPM KRGY KNNF KICR KIFR KM KWMNCS KAWS KLAP KPAK KDDG KCGC KID KNSD KMPF KPFO KDP KCMR KRMS KNPT KNNNP KTIAPARM KDTB KNUP KPGOV KNAP KNNC KUK KSRE KREISLER KIVP KQ KTIAEUN KPALAOIS KRM KISLAO KWM KFLOA
PHUM PINR PTER PGOV PREL PREF PL PM PHSA PE PARM PINS PK PUNE PO PALESTINIAN PU PBTS PROP PTBS POL POLI PA PGOVZI POLMIL POLITICAL PARTIES POLM PD POLITICS POLICY PAS PMIL PINT PNAT PV PKO PPOL PERSONS PING PBIO PH PETR PARMS PRES PCON PETERS PRELBR PT PLAB PP PAK PDEM PKPA PSOCI PF PLO PTERM PJUS PSOE PELOSI PROPERTY PGOVPREL PARP PRL PNIR PHUMKPAL PG PREZ PGIC PBOV PAO PKK PROV PHSAK PHUMPREL PROTECTION PGOVBL PSI PRELPK PGOVENRG PUM PRELKPKO PATTY PSOC PRIVATIZATION PRELSP PGOVEAIDUKNOSWGMHUCANLLHFRSPITNZ PMIG PREC PAIGH PROG PSHA PARK PETER POG PHUS PPREL PS PTERPREL PRELPGOV POV PKPO PGOVECON POUS PGOVPRELPHUMPREFSMIGELABEAIDKCRMKWMN PWBG PMAR PREM PAR PNR PRELPGOVEAIDECONEINVBEXPSCULOIIPBTIO PARMIR PGOVGM PHUH PARTM PN PRE PTE PY POLUN PPEL PDOV PGOVSOCI PIRF PGOVPM PBST PRELEVU PGOR PBTSRU PRM PRELKPAOIZ PGVO PERL PGOC PAGR PMIN PHUMR PVIP PPD PGV PRAM PINL PKPAL PTERE PGOF PINO PHAS PODC PRHUM PHUMA PREO PPA PEPFAR PGO PRGOV PAC PRESL PORG PKFK PEPR PRELP PREFA PNG PGOVPHUMKPAO PRELECON PINOCHET PFOR PGOVLO PHUMBA PRELC PREK PHUME PHJM POLINT PGOVPZ PGOVKCRM PGOVE PHALANAGE PARTY PECON PEACE PROCESS PLN PRELSW PAHO PEDRO PRELA PASS PPAO PGPV PNUM PCUL PGGV PSA PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA PGIV PRFE POGOV PEL PBT PAMQ PINF PSEPC POSTS PHUMPGOV PVOV PHSAPREL PROLIFERATION PENA PRELTBIOBA PIN PRELL PGOVPTER PHAM PHYTRP PTEL PTERPGOV PHARM PROTESTS PRELAF PKBL PRELKPAO PKNP PARMP PHUML PFOV PERM PUOS PRELGOV PHUMPTER PARAGRAPH PERURENA PBTSEWWT PCI PETROL PINSO PINSCE PQL PEREZ PBS

Browse by classification

Community resources

courage is contagious

Viewing cable 05MANILA4810, PHILIPPINES: DEMOCRACY PROMOTION STRATEGIES

If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs

Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
  • The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
  • The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
  • The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
To understand the justification used for the classification of each cable, please use this WikiSource article as reference.

Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #05MANILA4810.
Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
05MANILA4810 2005-10-10 09:25 2011-08-25 00:00 UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Embassy Manila
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 08 MANILA 004810 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
DEPT FOR G, DRL, S/P, EAP/MTS 
USAID FOR C. DOWNEY 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PGOV PINR PINS ECON KDEM RP
SUBJECT:  PHILIPPINES: DEMOCRACY PROMOTION STRATEGIES 
 
REF: A. STATE 169892 
     B. MANILA 4488 
 
1.  (U) This message is Sensitive but Unclassified.  Please 
handle accordingly. 
 
2.  (U) This message is in response to the action request 
contained in "Democracy Promotion Strategies for EAP Focus 
Countries" (ref a).  Responses are keyed to specific 
informational requests contained in ref a, para 6. 
 
------------------------------- 
Key Areas of Democratic Deficit 
------------------------------- 
 
3.  (SBU) The Republic of the Philippines is a vibrant, 
functioning, democracy with a free-wheeling political life 
and an active civil society.  For 2005, the think tank 
Freedom House gave the Philippines a rating of 2 for 
political rights and 3 for civil liberties (on a scale of 1 
to 7, with 7 representing the lowest level of freedom), and 
an overall status as a "Free" country.  However, the 
Philippines suffers from continuing poor governance and a 
weak rule of law environment, which affects the quality of 
its democracy. 
 
4.  (SBU) The concentration of political power is one area 
of democratic deficit.  Although the structure of the 
Government of the Philippines (GRP) is similar to that of 
the U.S., Philippine political life is more centered on the 
personal charisma of individual political leaders, and 
considerably more oligarchic.  A few dozen powerful families 
continue to play a dominating role in politics and hold a 
disproportionate share of land and wealth.  Approximately 
two-thirds of the members of the House of Representatives 
are from political families, meaning that they have 
relatives who are currently holding or once held elected 
positions.  Half of the members of the 24-seat Senate are 
from political families. 
 
5.  (SBU) This concentration of power and wealth contributes 
to an environment where corruption, cronyism, and influence 
peddling are pervasive in business and government.  The GRP 
has had limited success in tackling the Philippines' rampant 
crime and chronic corruption, which fall heaviest on poorer 
Filipinos, and limited police-prosecutor cooperation is 
partly to blame.  Low wages paid to government employees, 
especially in the revenue bureaucracies, creates fertile 
ground for bribery and other forms of corruption. 
Transparency International ranked the country 102 out of 146 
countries in its 2004 Corruption Perceptions Index. 
 
6.  (SBU) The rule of law remains weak.  Taken together with 
the concentration of power and corruption and cronyism, this 
undermines the average citizen's confidence in the 
government and his or her perception of the ability to 
change the status quo.  Persistent allegations of fraud and 
other cheating during elections add to citizens' cynicism 
about their leaders and the electoral process.  The 
judiciary, though generally independent, is hampered by 
corruption and inefficiency.  About 33 percent of positions 
for judges are unfilled because of low salaries for these 
positions that require significant professional 
qualifications.  There is widespread skepticism among 
Filipinos that the judicial process can ensure due process 
and equal justice; independent observers do not believe that 
the judicial system adequately guarantees defendants' 
constitutional rights to due process and legal 
representation.  On the other hand, prosecutors sometimes 
encounter protracted delays because plaintiffs can file 
appeals on minor procedural ruling in order to bring cases 
to a virtual halt.  The average trial takes over three 
years. 
 
7.  (SBU) Weakness in the rule of law reduces the democratic 
space in the Philippines.  The country is one of the most 
dangerous places in the world for journalists to work; few 
convictions have ever been secured for killings of 
journalists (see para 8).  Vigilante killings of suspected 
criminals have been increasing in number, and the same 
appears to be happening in killings of activists (usually 
associated with leftist groups or other political groups). 
The long-running New People's Army insurgency and the 
insurgency (plus the presence of known terrorists) in 
Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago has led to a significant 
military presence in some areas around the country, and the 
atmosphere of conflict has contributed to a decline in the 
democratic space for activists.  There is the potential -- 
if remote -- danger that unchecked and unlawful violence 
will alienate leftists who have opted to work within the 
established democratic political system. 
8.  (SBU) Strengthening democracy in the Philippines 
requires professional and responsible journalism that can 
hold both the government (national and local, civil and 
military) and society to account, and contribute to serious 
political debate.  Broadcast and print media in the 
Philippines are active and outspoken, but often criticized 
for lacking rigorous journalistic ethics; newspaper reports 
often consist more of innuendo and sensationalism than 
investigative reporting, and this is at least partly 
responsible for attacks on some journalists.  Media tend to 
reflect the particular political or economic orientations of 
owners, publishers, or patrons, some of whom are close 
associates of present or past high-level political 
officials.  Many government-owned television and radio 
stations are also outspoken, but they often lack strict 
journalistic ethics.  Many journalists are not 
professionally trained or accredited. 
 
--------------------------------------------- ----------- 
Most Important Desired Outcomes Over the Next 6-8 Months 
--------------------------------------------- ----------- 
 
9.  (SBU) In order to address these areas of democratic 
deficit, a broad-based campaign to improve governance at all 
levels is vital.  While most desired outcomes will likely be 
reflected only over the medium- to long-term, some short- 
term outcomes are both desirable and realistic.  These 
include: 
 
-- Government action and statements against -- and a visible 
downward trend in -- vigilante killings; 
-- Government action and statements against -- and a visible 
decrease in -- killings of activists; 
-- Passage of a comprehensive counter-terrorism law in order 
to give the GRP more and better tools for dealing with 
terrorism through the legal system, rather than potentially 
doing so extrajudicially; 
-- Improved cooperation between police and prosecutors, 
reflected in particular through successful prosecutions of 
human traffickers; 
-- The appointments of a well-respected and qualified 
Supreme Court Chief Justice and Associate Justices, when 
these positions become vacant; 
-- The appointment of a well-respected and qualified 
Ombudsman to replace Sonny Marcelo, who is retiring in 
November; 
-- Continued progress toward peace in Mindanao, which will 
decrease the space that terrorists and other militants take 
advantage of; 
-- Improved capacity and capability of the Commission for 
Elections (COMELEC) through, among other things, a) 
appointments of well-respected and qualified Commissioners 
to existing and future vacancies; b) training of a cadre of 
COMELEC trainers; c) development of a long-term strategic 
plan; and d) training of COMELEC senior staff; 
-- A reduction in the length of the average trial; and 
-- Continued releases of detainees who have been in jail 
awaiting trial for periods longer than their possible prison 
sentences (see para 28-29). 
 
------------------------------------ 
Diplomatic and Programmatic Strategy 
------------------------------------ 
 
10.  (U) Mission supports GRP efforts to pass and implement 
modern law enforcement legislation, and has worked to 
strengthen respect for the rule of law within government 
institutions and among public officials and to develop 
civilian law enforcement capacity, including police- 
prosecutorial cooperation.  USAID conducts a number of 
projects aimed at improving governance and judicial reform. 
As a candidate in the Millennium Challenge Account's 
Threshold Country Program, the Philippines may receive MCA 
funding to strengthen anti-corruption efforts as a means of 
strengthening its fiscal capacity, improving governance and 
sustaining reforms.  Mission will continue to emphasize the 
importance of serious and sustained reforms by the GRP. 
Numerous USG programs at both the local and national level 
promote transparency, popular participation, capacity 
building and equity, all key factors in the healthy 
functioning of democracy. 
 
11.  (SBU) Mission has repeatedly raised concerns in 
meetings with GRP officials about the killings of left-wing 
and other activists.  The leftists need to see a place for 
them within the established democratic political system.  If 
those leftists who have opted to operate within the system 
find themselves targets for violence and assassination or 
deliberate political marginalization, the option of going 
underground and taking up arms will inevitably become more 
attractive.  Mission will continue to reiterate to GRP 
officials, including at the highest levels, the need to 
protect activists of all political parties and groups that 
abide by the law and are non-violent, thereby protecting the 
democratic space and pluralism that a healthy democracy 
requires. 
 
12.  (SBU) Mission is strongly encouraging the passage of a 
comprehensive counter-terrorism law by the Philippine 
legislature.  Such a legal tool, if implemented properly, 
would be an important contribution to the rule of law, 
giving the GRP more and better tools for dealing with 
terrorism through the legal system.  It would reduce the 
temptation for members of the security forces to potentially 
act extrajudicially. 
 
13.  (SBU) Mission will also continue to raise concerns 
about vigilante killings, which local officials and 
political leaders at times appear to condone, and press for 
concrete GRP action in this area.  The impunity with which 
these killings are taking place undermines GRP and USG 
efforts to strengthen the rule of law, and reduces 
Filipinos' expectations of the police and judicial branches. 
 
14.  (U) Mission continues to support talks between the GRP 
and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in Mindanao for a 
negotiated political settlement.  Mission strongly supports 
U.S. Institute of Peace efforts to facilitate talks between 
the two sides, including by engaging civil society.  Mission 
also supports efforts to improve governance in the 
Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).  Mission will 
urge the new ARMM government to improve local administration 
and tackle corruption. 
 
15.  (U) Democracy-Related Projects and Activities:  Current 
and planned U.S.-funded or sponsored activities and projects 
during the next 6-8 months are listed below. 
 
--  The Asia Foundation is supporting an effort by civil 
society organizations, launched in September, to conduct a 
"Supreme Court Appointments Watch."  The Watch will deal 
with two vacancies this December, when Chief Justice Davide 
retires and an opening among the Associate Justices arises. 
 
--  Two USAID projects -- Legal Accountability and Dispute 
Resolution (LADR) and Rule of Law Effectiveness (ROLE) -- 
started implementing complementary programs in October to 
increase the access of residents of the ARMM to the formal 
justice system.  LADR is working to strengthen the Shari'a 
court system, while ROLE is working with the regular court 
system. 
 
--  In December, The International Foundation for Election 
Systems (IFES) will start training a cadre of trainers 
within the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) to enable it to 
train others on voter education and general election 
administration functions. 
 
--  IFES will in December begin assisting COMELEC's planning 
department to develop a long-term strategy, through the 
University of the Philippines-National Center for Public 
Administration and Governance (UP-NCPAG). 
 
--  IFES will help COMELEC hold an election equipment vendor 
fair in February 2006 to introduce the latest voting, 
counting, and reporting technology to Philippine electoral 
stakeholders.  Over the course of 2-3 days, COMELEC 
officials and other Government officials as well as members 
of Congress can learn about the types of technologies 
available and make a better informed decision on how to move 
ahead with the election mechanization program. 
 
--  IFES will work with other groups associated with USAID's 
Transparent and Accountable Governance (TAG) and Legal 
Accountability and Dispute Resolution (LADR) projects to 
actively pursue a campaign to promote the most qualified 
candidates for COMELEC Commissioner positions.  This could 
involve setting up a non-partisan "appointment watch" for 
COMELEC appointees.  There is currently one vacancy, and two 
more COMELEC Commissioners will retire in February 2006. 
This activity will start shortly and conclude in March 2006. 
--  In March 2006, IFES will implement a capacity-building 
program for COMELEC senior staff members in partnership with 
UP-NCPAG. 
 
--  In March 2006, the NGO Concerned Citizens for ARMM 
Elections (CCAE) will start a program to increase awareness 
among ARMM voters of the importance of holding free and fair 
elections, funded by a sub-grant from IFES. 
--  Libertas, an organization of lawyers, will, through a 
sub-grant in March 2006, assess and advocate reforms to the 
election complaints adjudication system. 
 
--  Over the next 6 to 8 months, the Transparent and 
Accountable Governance (TAG) 2 project will promote good 
governance in 16 cities and 20 municipalities in the ARMM, 
in the areas of participatory planning and budgeting, public 
service excellence, ethics and accountability, and business 
processes review.  The project goal is to get citizens to 
exercise more oversight over local government. 
 
--  Within the next 6 months, Mission will organize a one- 
week seminar on improving police-prosecutor cooperation. 
The lack of such cooperation is a serious impediment to 
effective prosecution, and helps to undermine the average 
Filipino's confidence in the justice system and his/her 
expectations of justice.  The seminar will target a select 
group of mid- to senior-level Philippine National Police 
(PNP) officers and Philippine Department of Justice (PDOJ) 
prosecutors. 
 
16.  (U) Grants:  Small Democracy Grants and EAP/PD Exchange 
Alumni Grants have been awarded for relevant programs for a 
period of one year, starting September 28, 2005. 
 
-- American Field Service Returnees Foundation:  $15,000 to 
bring high school students, a mix of Muslims from Mindanao, 
students from economically depressed regions, and indigenous 
persons (IPs) from Northern Luzon, to Manila for a training 
program in civic activism.  (Note: Members of the country's 
indigenous minority have limited access to basic government 
services and are far less integrated into mainstream society 
than other minorities.  See ref b.  End Note.) 
 
-- Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society:  $14,836 for 
seminars and training sessions to improve the ability of 
Muslim NGO activists in Mindanao to convey the message that 
participation in civil society and the democratic process is 
the best way to achieve political and economic progress. 
 
-- Advocacy MindaNow Foundation:  $15,000 for producing 
radio public service messages advocating "unity in 
diversity" among Muslims, lumads (indigenous persons), and 
Christians in Mindanao. 
 
-- Eskwelahan San Katawhan Negros:  $14,798 to develop 
primary and secondary-level English-language instructional 
materials focusing on civic responsibility and involvement. 
 
-- International Association of Hubert H. Humphrey Fellows 
Philippines (IAHHHFP):  $10,190 for the project "Promoting 
Local Democracy", which will strengthen the democratic 
process in the Jalajala municipality through capacity- 
building partnerships between the municipality and IAHHHFP 
members. 
 
-- Women's Action Foundation, Inc.:  $15,000 to facilitate 
training programs for members of the Angeles City Women 
Coordinating Council on policy advocacy and financial 
sustainability. 
 
17.  (U) International Visitor and Speaker Programs:  During 
the next 6-8 months, Mission is sponsoring a number of 
Filipino participants in International Visitor programs 
related to democracy, governance, and the rule of law. 
 
-- Accountability in Government and Business (October 27 - 
November 17, 2005) 
-- U.S. Judicial System (January 12 - February 2, 2006) 
-- Investigative Journalism (March 16 - April 6, 2006) 
-- NGOs and Civic Activism (March 23 - April 13, 2006) 
 
18.  (U) Mission also anticipates Speaker Programs on the 
topics of federalism and fighting corruption, in addition to 
a U.S. speaker on broadcast journalism/media training 
sometime in November. 
 
--------------------------------------------- -------- 
Support from the Department or other parts of the USG 
--------------------------------------------- -------- 
19.  (SBU) During any high-level visits, officials can 
support these objectives by reiterating our concerns about 
the rule of law, i.e., vigilante killings and killings of 
leftist and other activists, and encourage serious efforts 
to reform the public sector and tackle corruption. 
Officials should also consider incorporating a public 
speaking component during their visits to the Philippines on 
topics related to democracy and the rule of law.  In 
addition, support for a larger number of visiting public 
speakers on these topics would be welcome. 
 
20.  (U) The Department and other USG agencies working in 
the Philippines should reinforce and reiterate Mission's 
representations to the GRP on the importance of cracking 
down on human trafficking (see para 24). 
 
21.  (SBU) Potential Activities:  Additional funding for 
some ongoing or planned activities (e.g., the seminar on 
police-prosecutor cooperation) would help maximize the 
impact of our efforts.  The following are other specific 
projects or activities that, if approved and funded, would 
support accomplishment of Mission's goals: 
 
-- Building sustainable capacity within the Philippine 
National Police (PNP), so that it is governed and 
strengthened by modern legislation and procedures that 
conform to international conventions and standards, is a key 
goal.  Mission is focused on strengthening the rule of law 
through support for the PNP's Transformation Program. 
Reestablishing the ICITAP police advisor position -- but 
converting this from a contract to a U.S. direct-hire Senior 
Law Enforcement Advisor (SLEA) position -- can be critical 
for institutionalizing this transformation effort.  This 
will, however, require additional resources and the 
cooperation of INL and ICITAP. 
 
-- With additional S/CT funding and the assistance of 
Department of Justice International Criminal Investigative 
Training Assistance Program (ICITAP), future seminars on 
police-prosecutor cooperation could target additional 
officers and prosecutors and thereby more widely spread the 
impact. 
 
-- A study of political party financing in the Philippines, 
and alternative mechanisms used in other countries, 
conducted by USAID.  This would be followed by a conference 
to present research findings and examine possible mechanisms 
that might dilute the current concentration of power in a 
few families in favor of newcomers and independents, obtain 
feedback and ideas from relevant audiences including 
Congress, civil society, and concerned citizens. 
 
-- Assistance to Congress to improve legislative drafting. 
Justices regularly complain that laws are not well drafted 
and result in either many laws being set aside or 
inconsistent rulings by different judges.  USAID can 
facilitate training of key staff members on technical 
aspects of legal training.  This generally involves courses 
conducted at U.S. universities.  USAID can also organize 
open forums to discuss ways in which other countries improve 
the quality of their laws, such as: opening proposed laws to 
public comment, peer review panels, outside advisors on 
legal drafting, and speedy approaches to evaluating and 
passing technical amendments. 
 
-- Sponsoring the participation of COMELEC Commissioners in 
training conferences (e.g., Association of Asian Election 
Authorities) to broaden their understanding of their role 
and responsibilities. 
 
-- An assessment of how to strengthen both civilian 
oversight of the military and linkages between civilians and 
the military.  NDI provides these assessments for USAID. 
 
-- Training seminars to educate jail guards on the rights of 
prisoners.  This can be a weeklong program or more, held at 
different sites, including the Commission for Human Rights 
as a facilitator or trainer. 
 
-- The Philippines is a candidate for the Millennium 
Challenge Account's Threshold Country Program.  If GRP 
proposals to MCA have merit, MCA would provide funding for 
intensified anti-corruption efforts focused on the Finance 
Department and sub-agencies responsible for government tax 
and revenue collection as well as the Ombudsman's Office 
(responsible for investigating and prosecuting corruption by 
government officials) and others.  If the GRP succeeds in 
these efforts to fight corruption and restore fiscal 
balance, the Philippines could compete for a much larger 
scale MCA program aimed at economic growth and development. 
 
--------------------------------------------- -------- 
Major Impediments: Resource, Political, or Structural 
--------------------------------------------- -------- 
 
22.  (SBU) Accomplishing these outcomes will require more 
resources, better governance, broader economic development, 
a deeper commitment to pass and enforce required 
legislation, and greater capacity of law enforcement on the 
part of the GRP.  Mission's actions and activities can 
reinforce and supplement the GRP's actions, but not 
compensate for the lack of GRP action on any one front. 
Encouraging public sector reform, political stability, 
improved peace and order, economic growth, and a free and 
responsible media are part and parcel of the process of 
deepening and maturing Philippine democracy and increasing 
popular participation in -- and ownership of -- that 
democracy.  Improving the efficiency of the Philippine court 
system and reducing judicial corruption is a long-term 
process, as is PNP reform.  In the context of corruption 
being a major impediment, the resignation of Ombudsman Sonny 
Marcelo (slated to take effect in November) is a major blow 
to GRP efforts to curb corruption in government. 
 
23.  (U) Resource constraints are an issue given the fiscal 
deficit.  This is further exacerbated by widespread 
corruption that decreases the resources available for public 
services.  Implementation of an Expanded Value Added Tax 
(currently being challenged in the Supreme Court) would 
significantly ease the GRP's fiscal crunch.  The Philippines 
is also in the middle of a political crisis, currently 
reflected in a standoff between the Executive and the Senate 
over a recent Executive Order. 
 
24.  (SBU) The Philippines is on G/TIP's Tier 2 Watchlist 
for Trafficking in Persons. Without concrete and visible 
improvement in this area -- particularly in arrests and 
successful prosecutions -- the GRP could be downgraded to 
Tier 3 next year, resulting in sanctions that would affect 
most of our assistance programs in the Philippines.  Mission 
has consistently and vigorously engaged and assisted the GRP 
on this issue; the burden is now on the GRP to take 
appropriate steps, including convictions of traffickers, to 
show progress in curbing and eliminating this inhumane 
practice.  Inaction on the GRP's part could potentially 
undercut all of the USG's good efforts and intentions in the 
area of democracy promotion. 
 
--------------------------------------------- ---- 
Significant Influences On Democratization Efforts 
--------------------------------------------- ---- 
 
25.  (U) Our U.K., Australian, and U.N. counterparts have 
expressed interest in supporting PNP reform and improving 
cooperation between police and prosecutors.  The UNDP 
supports a broad effort to improve governance in the 
Philippines (through support for COMELEC, the Office of the 
Ombudsman, etc.) and to empower indigenous peoples. 
 
26.  (U) There are many civil society organizations that can 
exert significant positive influence on both democratization 
efforts and the host government. 
 
-- Survey or polling organizations like the Social Weather 
Stations and Asia Pulse provide timely information to both 
the government and the public on important issues like 
governance, corruption, public satisfaction levels and 
preferences, etc. and informs decision-making.  At the local 
level there are also smaller polling centers that provide 
customer feedback to local government units (e.g. The Holy 
Name University in Bohol conducts an annual Bohol Poll). 
 
-- Civil society organizations engaged in advocacy enhance 
the ability of the public to participate in important policy 
discussions.  Many important laws in the Philippines were 
passed with the active participation of civil society 
organizations (e.g. Fisheries Reform Act, Urban Development 
and Housing Act, Indigenous People's Rights Act, etc.). 
Civil society organizations like the Concerned Citizens of 
Abra for Good Governance and the Transparency and 
Accountability Network also exert pressure on government to 
be transparent and accountable to the people. 
 
-- Associations of local government units like the League of 
Municipalities, League of Provinces, and the League of 
Cities continue to be the voice of local democracy and 
decentralization in the Philippines. 
 
-- Media organizations like the Philippine Center for 
Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) and the Center for Media 
Freedom and Responsibility continue to keep government on 
its toes by acting as watchdogs and exposing government 
anomalies. 
 
--------------------------------------------- ---- 
Areas of Democracy Promotion Supported by the GRP 
--------------------------------------------- ---- 
 
27.  (U) Host country involvement in international or 
regional organizations that promote democracy include 
membership in the International Union of Parliamentarians, 
Association of Asian Election Authorities, World Jurist 
Association, and the Global Organization of Parliamentarians 
Against Corruption.  The Philippines will be hosting the 
International Judicial Reform Conference in November. 
 
28.  (U) The Court of Appeals Mediation Project, supported 
by USAID, was launched on August 31.  A special initiative 
under the Supreme Court's Action Program for Judicial Reform 
(APJR), it is aimed at increasing the efficiency and 
effectiveness of the administration of justice through the 
use of alternative dispute mechanisms and the provision of 
affordable judicial services. 
 
29.  (U) The Supreme Court is continuing efforts to ensure 
speedier trials and sanction judicial malfeasance, and is in 
the midst of a 5-year program to increase judicial branch 
efficiency and raise public confidence in the judiciary. 
Lengthy pretrial detention is a serious problem, but the 
courts have been active in releasing those detainees during 
the past two years who have been in jail longer than the 
possible prison term they would have served if convicted. 
 
30.  (U) The recently established regional consultative 
bodies for indigenous peoples could play a significant 
"pressure valve" role in representing and advocating their 
concerns at the local and national levels.  The National 
Commission for Indigenous Persons (NCIP) expects to set up a 
similar national consultative body in the near future. 
Further engagement of IPs in the local and national 
political processes -- negligible at this point -- could 
help raise their status. 
 
31.  (U) In general, the GRP's policies do not undermine or 
run contrary to the USG's democracy promotion policy. 
 
---------------------------------------- 
The Consequences of Pursuing This Agenda 
---------------------------------------- 
 
32.  (U) The Philippines has a generally positive 
environment for democracy and rule of law promotion efforts, 
with GRP officials receptive to assistance and suggestions. 
Conducted openly and stated plainly, our efforts should 
generate no complaints or raise anyone's hackles, especially 
since they are consistent with or similar to past efforts 
and are generally perceived as beneficial to the Philippines 
and supportive of democratic traditions here.  In the past, 
criticism from Filipinos has generally come when the U.S. is 
perceived or alleged to be acting behind the scenes to 
influence the political process in the Philippines, or from 
"nationalists" opposed to U.S. military bases or our 
military training presence in the country -- or from 
oligarchs who perceive threats to their interests.  As a 
democratic country with an active civil society, the 
Philippines has no obvious enemies of honestly-advocated 
democracy promotion efforts, except for leftists and Muslims 
linked with extremist activities. 
 
JONES