Progressive populism in the presidential electoral race?
Antoinette Raquiza for the La Liga Policy Institute
23 January 2004
The May 2004 elections, with the highest position of the land at stake, promise to be a critical moment in contemporary Philippine history. The political exercise is unique as it follows the extralegal transfer of national power through the forcible ouster of President Joseph Estrada in 2001. In consequence, this is also the first time under the 1987 Philippine Constitution that an incumbent President is competing to hold on to power—thereby presenting an exception to the constitutional ban against presidents seeking term extension.
The FPJ bomb in a populist lamp
Joel Rocamora, Institute for Popular Democracy
Rizal's Simoun would be happy. Whether or not FPJ wins the presidency in May, he is a harbinger of disaster. FPJ is Simoun's bomb hidden in a populist lamp.
Between tinsel and trapo
Sheila S. Coronel, Philipine Center for Investigative Journalism
Although movie stars have taken part in elections past, never in the history of Philippine elections have there been so many of them contesting so many national and local posts…. But the runaway populism, the democracy gone berserk is just half the story…. The current popularity of the likes of movie king Fernando Poe Jr. among the lowest social strata is not so much fan-club hysteria as it is a rebellion against the wealthy and the powerful. It is therefore inaccurate to say that this election, like the ones before it, is not about issues. The celebrity vote is essentially a protest vote—an expression of deeply held aspirations for a more inclusive political system.
Poe and Arroyo: Tweedledum and Tweedledee
Carlito T. Anonuevo, Manuel Buencamino, Sylvia Estrada-Claudio, Fides Lim, Nepomuceno Malaluan, and Filomeno S. Sta. Ana III
27 February 2004
The intelligentsia is agitated. We dread the scenario of the ascendancy of Fernando Poe Jr. or FPJ. The commentators among us have written sophisticated pieces that appeal to an already convinced middle class to reject FPJ. But there is something missing in the analysis.
FPJ and Noli de Castro phenomenon
Ben Lim for abs-cbnNEWS
28 October 2003
If there were no real life FPJ or Noli de Castro, people would have invented them. Intellectuals, especially from the academia and the upper middle class, tend to distrust choices from the bottom. And it has become fashionable to say that these people, though qualified to run as president under the rules of the Constitution, do not have the experience and the expertise to execute the constitutional mandates.
Between extrapolation and hyperbole
Manuel Buencamino
2004
Joel Rocamora's answer to our paper exposing his implied endorsement of GMA is called "Between Anti-FPJ and Boycott." While I don't speak for the groups since we signed as individuals, I would suggest that he use my title instead; it describes his rejoinder more accurately. Rocamora's rejoinder is a cleverly argued paper that is built on extrapolation, hyperbole and putting words into our mouths.
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