Скачать или смотреть ADRi vTHD: "Transparency and Accountability: Regaining Public Trust through Democratic Governance"

Since popping up on the national political scene in 2016, President Duterte has enchanted and created a following with his populist rhetoric and strongman leadership. At the same time, however, his administration has also been criticized for the lack of strong institutional bureaucratic mechanisms.

Fast forward to 2020, the country is in the middle of an economic and health crisis, and the Duterte Administration has mobilized billions of pesos to respond to the crisis. Consequently, policymakers are looking at allocating even more for programs and projects meant to strengthen the public health system and reboot the economy.

For these government initiatives to be effective, we need stronger institutions that can uphold transparency and accountability in the government’s post-pandemic response. Civic engagement in responding to the crisis and participation in the policy process is at the heart of democratic states. Adherence to open governance for transparency in the use of public funds and the accountability of government officials are utterly important as well.

The health crisis has caused concern over undue and hard-pressed intimidations against oversight mechanisms; as political shortcuts in the guise of “emergency powers to implement the COVID-19 response” become favorable for undemocratic practices. More so, democratic continuity and institutional reforms and the promotion of a resilient procurement system in a sensible regulatory landscape are the crucibles for Philippine democratic values.

Stratbase ADR Institute, in partnership with Democracy Watch Philippines and Transparency International-Philippines, held a multi-sectoral virtual town hall discussion (vTHD) entitled, “Transparency and Accountability: Regaining Public Trust through Democratic Governance”, earlier today.

The vTHD focused on the whole-of-society solutions, transparency, accountability and the importance of democratic governance in regaining public trust as the country marches forward with its post-pandemic recovery.