Political risks are moving higher as a result of negative impact that rising rice and other food prices are likely to have on society.. Although corruption is a major problem in a number of Asian countries, it is more politicized in the Philippines than in most.
The rise in food prices potentially poses an even bigger challenge for the government than corruption scandals. It has plenty of experience fending off allegations of graft, but the need to respond to a growing number of people who are having difficulty putting food on the table could be especially challenging. Cost pressures are likely to drive even more Filipinos to leave the country in search of better paying jobs abroad, while at home there will be pressure to offer relief to the poorest Filipinos ,relief that government really cannot afford in economic terms but which it might feel it has no choice but to provide due to political pressures.
Defects in the Political System
- Continued graft and corruption in key agencies
- Lack of transparency and accountability in governance
- Regulatory capture – agencies captured by vested interests
- The weakness of the electoral processes – prone to cheating and manipulation of results
- Dynasties and traditional politics
- Armed conflict
- Worsening human rights situation, particularly extra-judicial killings of journalists and activists of the left
- Apathy or withdrawal from political engagement especially at the national level.
Political Initiatives
- Electoral Reforms.
- Advocacy for Human Rights
- Advocacy for Peace and Development
- Anti-Corruption Advocacy
