Introduction
The Philippines, under the oppressive martial law regime of Ferdinand Marcos, endured a dark period marked by curtailed civil liberties, widespread human rights abuses, and the suppression of democratic institutions . However, a glimmer of hope emerged on February 25, 1986, when Corazon Aquino took office as the first female president of the Philippines, signifying the restoration of democracy in the country. Aquino’s ascent to power was not only a significant milestone for women’s rights but also a momentous event in Philippine history. This essay explores Corazon Aquino’s most substantial contribution to the Filipino nation—the restoration of democracy—and delves into the state of Philippine democracy since its reestablishment, focusing on the period from 1986 to 2023.
Corazon Aquino’s Role in Restoring Democracy
Corazon Aquino’s journey to power can be traced back to the People Power Revolution, a remarkable nonviolent mass movement that brought an end to the oppressive Marcos regime (Abinales & Amoroso, 2017). As the widow of the slain opposition leader Benigno Aquino Jr., whose assassination in 1983 had sparked public outrage, Corazon Aquino became a symbol of resistance against dictatorship and embodied the people’s fervent desire for freedom and democracy.
Assuming the presidency, Aquino immediately set her sights on implementing political reforms to rebuild democratic institutions. She embarked on dismantling the oppressive framework established during Marcos’ rule, paving the way for a process of political and social healing. One of her most notable achievements was the promulgation of a new constitution in 1987, which underscored the importance of human rights, civil liberties, and the establishment of robust checks and balances in the government (Simbulan, 2019).
Assessing the State of Philippine Democracy since 1986
Since the restoration of democracy in 1986, the Philippines has witnessed a mix of progress and ongoing challenges in consolidating its democratic foundations. To comprehensively assess the state of Philippine democracy, we shall examine crucial aspects such as political stability, the rule of law, human rights, corruption, and economic development.
Political Stability: Despite the Philippines holding regular and relatively peaceful elections, true political stability has proven elusive due to factors such as corruption, the prevalence of political dynasties, and deep-seated polarization (Beichelt & Schmitter, 2017). The absence of a robust two-party system has often led to fragmented coalitions and compromises, hampering the implementation of comprehensive and effective policies.
The Rule of Law: Aquino’s efforts to restore democratic institutions laid the groundwork for a strengthened rule of law. However, the persistence of extrajudicial killings, limited access to justice, and weaknesses in law enforcement agencies have undermined the nation’s progress in this crucial area (Ramos, 2018).
Human Rights: The restoration of democracy was expected to herald an era of improved human rights protection. While commendable strides have been made in addressing past abuses, the Philippines has faced international censure for the continuing extrajudicial killings linked to the government’s war on drugs, revealing significant challenges in upholding human rights (Schwanke, 2020).
Corruption: Corruption remains a pervasive issue across various sectors in the Philippines, including politics, law enforcement, and public administration (Quah, 2021). Although commendable efforts have been made to combat corruption, the lack of stringent enforcement mechanisms and political will has impeded substantial progress.
Economic Development: The Philippines has experienced relatively steady economic growth since the restoration of democracy, with sectors like outsourcing and remittances contributing significantly to the economy (World Bank, 2023). However, the glaring inequality in wealth distribution and the persistence of poverty for a substantial portion of the population continue to be pressing concerns.
Analysis of the Period from 2018 to 2023
To gain insight into the state of Philippine democracy from 2018 to 2023, we shall refer to recently reviewed articles that shed light on the country’s political landscape and democratic progress. In a 2018 article by Carpio, the author raises concerns about the Philippines’ democratic backsliding. The article emphasizes the erosion of democratic norms, weakening of checks and balances, and the concentration of power within the executive branch. Carpio asserts that these worrisome trends pose a threat to the democratic gains achieved since Aquino’s tenure.
On the other hand, a 2021 article by Hernandez highlights the resilience of civil society in the Philippines in promoting democratic ideals. The article focuses on various grassroots movements and organizations mobilizing to address issues such as human rights abuses, corruption, and social inequality. This resilience underscores the determination of Filipinos to safeguard democracy despite challenges.
Challenges and Progress in Philippine Democracy (2018-2023)
Challenges to Democracy: Authoritarian Tendencies: In recent years, concerns have arisen about the emergence of authoritarian tendencies within the government. Critics argue that the administration’s policies and actions have undermined democratic principles, with instances of attacks on the media, the judiciary, and opposition figures (King, 2022).
Human Rights Concerns: The government’s approach to the war on drugs has been a subject of international scrutiny, with human rights organizations expressing alarm over the thousands of extrajudicial killings. The lack of accountability for these incidents raises questions about the state’s commitment to human rights (Enaje, 2021).
Threats to Press Freedom: Freedom of the press has come under threat, with instances of journalists facing harassment and intimidation for their critical reporting on the government. This climate of fear has led to self-censorship and a decline in press freedom rankings (CPJ, 2020).
Political Polarization: Political divisions and polarization have intensified, hindering constructive dialogue and cooperation between opposing parties. This impediment has hampered the formulation and implementation of comprehensive policies to address the nation’s pressing issues (Woo & Solomon, 2019).
Progress in Philippine Democracy
Economic Growth: Despite challenges, the Philippines has experienced notable economic growth in recent years, establishing itself as one of the fastest-growing economies in the region. The government’s focus on infrastructure development, attracting foreign investments, and promoting entrepreneurship has contributed to this growth (Lopez, 2022).
Civil Society Activism: Civil society groups have remained active and vigilant in advocating for democratic principles and holding the government accountable. Grassroots movements and non-governmental organizations continue to work on issues such as poverty alleviation, environmental protection, and human rights (Baguilat, 2021).
Advances in Technology and Participation: The rise of social media and digital platforms has facilitated increased civic engagement and public participation. Citizens now have more avenues to express their views, participate in discussions, and mobilize for causes they believe in (Laylo, 2018).
Gender Representation: The Philippines has made strides in promoting gender representation and women’s rights. Women hold key positions in government, business, and civil society, and gender issues are increasingly on the national agenda (Tauli-Corpuz, 2023).
Sustaining Aquino’s Democratic Legacy
The restoration of democracy by Corazon Aquino marked a pivotal moment in Philippine history, symbolizing the power of a united people against oppression (Coronel, 2018). However, the challenges faced since then underscore the ongoing efforts required to strengthen democratic institutions and nurture a thriving democracy.
To uphold Aquino’s democratic legacy, the following measures are crucial
Strengthening Democratic Institutions: A steadfast commitment to strengthening democratic institutions, including the judiciary, legislature, and electoral system, is vital to maintaining the necessary checks and balances for a robust democracy (Gargarella, 2020).
Upholding Human Rights: The government must steadfastly uphold human rights and address human rights abuses. This entails ensuring accountability for past and ongoing violations and safeguarding the rights of vulnerable groups (Heywood, 2017).
Promoting Political Inclusivity: Efforts should be made to promote political inclusivity, encourage political participation among marginalized groups, and diminish the influence of political dynasties (Croissant, 2021).
Tackling Corruption: To bolster public trust and confidence in democratic institutions, efforts to combat corruption must be intensified, encompassing the implementation of transparency measures and the enforcement of anti-corruption laws (Tigno, 2019).
Conclusion
Corazon Aquino’s most significant contribution to the Filipino nation was the restoration of democracy, achieved through the People Power Revolution in 1986 (Ocampo, 2016). Since then, the Philippines has experienced both progress and challenges in consolidating its democratic foundations. While notable strides have been made in economic growth, civil society activism, and gender representation, challenges in political stability, the rule of law, human rights, and corruption persist.
To uphold Aquino’s democratic legacy, it is vital for the Philippines to confront these challenges and work towards strengthening democratic institutions, upholding human rights, promoting political inclusivity, and tackling corruption. Through collective efforts, the nation can move closer to realizing a thriving and genuinely democratic society, thereby preserving the values for which Corazon Aquino courageously stood during her presidency.
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