Towards a Systematic Analysis of Automated Election in the Philippines

7/25/2019 Towards a Systematic Analysis of Automated Election in the Philippines

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STRATB

An Independent and PrincipledPhilippine Foreign Policyfor Economic Growth


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Copyright 2013 SRi Stratbase Research Institute. All rights reserved.

www.stratbase.com.ph

An Independent and PrincipledPhilippine Foreign Policyfor Economic Growth


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Promoting Excellence in Philippine Management

l would like to share with you, perspectives on our Philippine Foreign

Policy one that is independent and principled, focused and

forward-looking. In this context, I will also provide updates on

Philippines-US relations, Philippines-China relations,the West Philippine Sea and other developments

in our region, in particular, ASEAN and APEC.

Good Governance is Good Economics

Let me begin by recalling President Aquinos concluding statement

in his State of the Nation Address last July when he proclaimed, loud

and clear, How wonderful it is to be a Filipino in these times!

The Aquino Administration rmly maintains that Good governance

is good economics. From day one, President Aquino has workedto restore condence in our country by making the difcult political

decisions necessary to root out corruption and institutionalize

good governance at all levels and layers.

In addition to achieving a better than 7% growth for the last four

quarters, the Philippines received investment grade sovereign debt

ratings from major credit rating agencies: Fitch, Standard & Poors,

Japan Credit Rating Agency, and just this month, from Moodys.

Standard & Poors, moreover, labels the Philippines as Southeast Asias

main economic engine , fueled by strong domestic demand to

lead the rest of the region ahead of Asia in 2013.


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The Philippines is becoming even more globally competitive. In just the last

three years, we have moved up 26 places in the World Economic Forum (WEF)

Global Competitiveness Report. In the ethics and corruption category, the

country has jumped from 135th in 2010 to 87th this year. Should wepreserve these gains, we can expect to move into the top

third of the global rankings by 2016.

Recently, the Economic Freedom of the World 2013 Report issued by the

Fraser Institute, Canadas leading think tank, recognized the Philippines

as the second best performer in ASEAN, next to Singapore.

The Asian Business Cycle Report of the OECD Development Center also

cited the Philippines as the only emerging Asian nation with strong

business cycle momentum highlighting its economic resilience.

Furthermore, the latest study conducted by KPMG International and Oxford

Economics for the 2013 Change Readiness Index positioned the Phil ippines in

18th place in terms of the capability of the country to deal with change.

All of these developments represent a resounding afrmation of

global and domestic condence in the Philippines.

There are, however, remaining challenges. And as we continue to tackle with

resolve the remnants of the culture of corruption and impunity, we seek at the

same time to institutionalize and sustain the reform agenda beyond the Aquino

administration. It is our conviction that the Filipino people deserve no less.

The Three Pillars of Philippine Foreign Policy

Our steadfast commitment towards a principled foreign policy

serves as the bedrock of our foreign relations.

Our foreign policy is not only about managing our relations with the globa

community. It is about nurturing a safe and secure environment in accorda

with the rule of law that is conducive to inclusive growth in order to bene

people. It is intended to harness the newfound business condence and

renewed optimism on the Philippines to stimulate greater trade, investme

and tourism. It is meant to generate employment and reduce poverty in li

with President Aquinos goal to create more jobs at home so that

working abroad will be a matter of choice rather than a need.

With the President as its principal architect, Philippine Foreign Policy is

anchored on three pillars: (1) preservation and enhancement of national s

(2) protection of the rights and promotion of the welfare of overseas

Filipinos; and (3) promotion and attainment of economic security.

Let me quickly summarize these pillars just to place my remarks in contex

Under the pillar of promoting national security, our goal is to help create a

sustain a strong and safe regional neighborhood under the rule of law. On

our own, and in concert with international par tners, we have

pursued mutually benecial security arrangements.


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We designed defense and security relationships to manage new realities.

In lieu of traditional ideas of balance of power, we have emphasized

engagement in new challenges, including transnational crime, terrorism,

and maritime security and cooperation, as well as,

cooperation on humanitarian emergencies.

In addition to our treaty alliance with the United States, we expanded our

defense and security engagements with other countries such as South

Korea, New Zealand, Italy, Spain and France. More signicantly, our Senateratied a Status of Visiting Forces Agreement with Australia i n June 2012.

The Philippines is also working with Japan in enhancing maritime security in

the region. As one of two Strategic Partners aside from the US, Japan

has been supporting our Philippine Coast Guard in training

its personnel and upgrading its equipment.

From 2012 to July of this year, we successfully facilitated the conclusion

of 40 agreements on political and security matters.

Under the pillar of protecting Filip ino nationals overseas, we continue to

be guided by the Presidents call to be even more responsive to

the needs and welfare of our overseas Filipino workers.

Since 2011, we have repatriated nearly 20,000 Filipinos in countries torn

by civil strife and devastated by natural and other disasters. We continue to

repatriate our compatriots from Syria and Egypt, where violence

continues. Adhering to a poli cy that no one gets left behind, we have also

had the good fortune of not losing a single life that was within our control.

We additionally are addressing the challenges of Saudization and have so

far repatriated a total of over 4,000 undocumented Filipinos and assisted

several thousand others in meeting regularization requirements.

From 2012 until the rst semester of 2013, we extended assistance to more

than 34,000 overseas Filipinos and members of their families. Our Foreign

Service personnel provide round-the-clock legal and consular assistance,

counseling, shelter, and labor mediation. They under take jail visitations, administer overseas absentee

registration and voting, and help Filipinos organize themselves into communities. They network

with local organizations whose purposes are aligned with our policy objectives.

Taking care of our 10 mi llion migrants in 174 countries over 40 time zones has earned

us the reputation as the Department that never sleeps.

Finally, let me discuss the economic security pillar in greater detail.

The Department has worked tirelessly to support the Presidents twin goals of poverty alleviation

job creation. As a result, we have made signicant progress in economic cooperation with other co


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In 2012 alone, we were able to nalize 43 agreements invol-

ving economic cooperation in the areas of investment, tourism,

development assistance, education, and air services agreements.

At the same time, we assisted in developing more than 700

inbound and outbound tr ade and business missions.

With Europe, the 2012 Philippines-EU Partnership and

Cooperation Agreement, which is i n the process of ratication,

will allow both sides to address new challenges on issues such

as customs and trade facilitation, energy and migration.

Indeed, European countries are now looking at

the Philippines with invigorated interest.

In grants and loans, we have helped secure over three billion

dollars from Japan in ofcial development assistance for, among

others, infrastructure projects, disaster risk reduction and peace

and development for Mindanao. In addition to a ve-year

grant amounting to 434 million dollars from the Millennium

Challenge Corporation for poverty reduction andinfrastructure projects, the US, in the past year, has provided

over 400 million dollar s in aid. We have also secured approval

in the last twelve months of nearly half a billion dollars from

the Republic of Korea in loans and grants and close to

141 million dollars in grants from Australia in 2013.

Meanwhile, the Philippine hosting of the 23rd World

Economic Forum on East Asia in 2014 and the Asia-Pacic

Economic Cooperation in 2015 provides invaluable

opportunities for the Philippines to promote itself

as a business and investment destination.

Developments in APEC and ASEAN

The Philippines looks forward indeed to chair ing APEC in

2015, the second since 1996. Our leadership in APEC can be an

excellent platform to perpetuate the domestic reform agenda ofthe President, based on the principles of sound economic

governance, regulatory reform, and inclusive economic

integration, towards a post-2015 development

agenda for the Philippines.

Three weeks ago, in Bali, the assembled APEC Economic

Leaders renewed their commitment towards achieving a Free

Trade Area of the Asia-Pacic (FTAAP), and to continue

supporting the multilateral trading system consistent with the

WTO framework including the Doha Development Agenda.

To encourage more efcient ow of goods, services, capital,

and people throughout the Asia-Pacic region, the Leaders

adopted the APEC Framework on Connectivity. This plan involvesthe elimination of trade barriers; the strengthening of regional

transportation networks; the implementation of good regulatory

practices; the enhancement of people-to-people connectivity

through greater cross-border education and service ows;

and the implementation of a multi-year plan on

infrastructure development and investment.

Among these, infrastructure development has been given special

priority, and as such, the Leaders have committed to take several

steps, such as fostering a business-friendly environment for

infrastructure investment and development.


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Further to this, the Leaders stated that they would continue to implement the APEC Investment

Facilitation Action Plan, to encourage government ofcials to work with the pri vate sector in

enhancing Corporate Social Responsibility practices and sustainable investment.

Facilitating trade and investment within APEC economies will be easier through increased mobility of

business people across borders. This was the reason for the creation of the APEC Business Travel Card

(ABTC), which facilitates the travel of business persons by, among other benets, granting themthree-year, multiple-entry privileges to participating APEC economies.

It is in this regard that the DFA continues to strengthen its relationship with Certifying Business Organizations

or CBOs1. CBOs are expected to pre-screen applicants to ensure that they are bona de business persons

with a legitimate need to travel within APEC economies. CBOs also help raise awareness about the

opportunities in APEC and encourage SMEs to expand their presence outside of their traditional markets.

The success of each of these APEC initiatives connectivity, infrastructure development, and more

depends not merely on the government, but also on our close cooperation with the private sector.

We look forward to working with you in promoting the economic development

of the Philippines and the Asia-Pacic region as a whole.

It should be pointed out that 2015 is an impor tant year for the Philippines and for the region. This year

marks the deadline for many international commitments, such as the Millennium Development Goals and the

realization of the ASEAN Community based on the Political-Security, Economic and Socio-Cultural pillar s.

In par ticular, the ASEAN Economic Community envisions a competitive region

with a single mar ket and production base.

Based on the scorecard, ASEAN is viewed to be on track to realize the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC).

The notable developments in the AEC pillar show that the implementation rate of the measures in the AEC

Blueprint has increased from 74.5% in December 2012 to 79.7% as of September 20132.

Based on DTIs July 2013 data, the Philippines has achieved a national implementation rate of 85.54% this

year, accomplishing 182 items out of 213 total AEC measures. For the 2008 to 2013 period, the Philippines

scored 87.2%, accomplishing 392 of 439 measures.


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This accomplishment lays the foundation for achieving the ASEAN vision of a

fully functioning and integrated economic community.

At the most recent ASEAN Summit held in Brunei Darussalam last October 9, the

President rmly laid down our advocacies for an ASEAN Community in 2015 and beyond.

He stressed that economic gains are underpinned by a stable and predictable political

environment that is founded on the r ule of law. The blessings of a society characterized

by peace and harmony necessarily predict an economic milieu that

promotes even stronger and more inclusive growth.

To this end, the President highlighted our focus on micro, small, and medium

enterprises or MSMEs, which are the backbone of our growing economy. The dynamism

of our SME sector pertinent to the establishment of the ASEAN Economic Community

serves as our impetus to support the ASEAN-wide Self-Certication Scheme,

paving the way for their greater participation in regional and global trade.

The President also announced the Philippine Tariff Finder mechanism, an onlinefacility that allows users to quickly search Philippine tariff rates on specic products

and also access the eight existing Philippine tariff schedules such as the Most Favored

Nation, ASEAN-Australia New Zealand FTA, ASEAN-China FTA, ASEAN-India FTA,

ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, ASEAN-Korea FTA,

the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement, and the Philippines-Japan Economic Partnership

Agreement. This, by the way, is proudly, for us, the rst of its kind in ASEAN.

Building on the commitments on the past ASEAN Summits to realize an ASEAN

Community that is people-centered and socially responsible, the President, along wit

the nine other ASEAN Leaders, adopted the ASEAN Declaration on Strengthening

Social Protection. He emphasized that a strong economy is founded on an

empowered citizenry and that the government has focused on

improving education, healthcare, and social welfare programs.

We also spoke of the principle of ASEAN centrality and our strong belief that we

must continue to deepen our engagements with our external partners through

ASEAN-led mechanisms such as the ASEAN Regional Forum, the ASEAN

Defense Ministers Meeting Plus, and the East Asia Summit.

The President, likewise, mentioned the need to enhance mutual cooperation throug

the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership or the RCEP, which aims to

achieve a regional free trade area that builds upon the existing free tr ade areas of

the region. These avenues promote greater cooperation in terms of human rights

protection, maritime security, and people-to-people connectivity, among many other

The government can work with the business sector and other stakeholders to

realize the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC). Opportunities for the business

sector include wider mar kets for exports; better supply chain linkages;

and enhanced par tnerships and joint ventures.


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Safeguarding our Sovereignty and National Patrimony

Discussions on regional integration require that we highlight our national efforts to

safeguard our sovereignty and territorial integrity.

During the Ofcial Working Visit of President Aquino to the US last year, our leaders ushered in a new era of

strategic partnership, with the US Government reafrming support for Philippine efforts to build the countrys

minimum credible defense posture. This broadening and deepening of the Philippines-US relations

is being positively viewed in the context of the US rebalance toward Asia.

Last month, we began discussions on institutionalizing increased rotational presence (IRP) through a framework

agreement premised on mutuality of benets and in full accord with the Phi lippine Constitution.

Increased Rotational Presence is the policy which increases the presence of U.S. forces in Philippine territor y. It

is meant to support the development of minimum credible defense posture of the Philippines through capability

building and combined activities and high impact-high value joint exercises focusing on maritime

domain awareness, maritime security, humanitarian assistance and disaster response.

Thus far, we have completed four negotiating rounds with several remaining i ssues still to be agreed upon.

The US rebalance to Asia is not only limi ted to defense and security cooperation but al so

encompasses economic arrangements and greater people-to-people exchanges.

For instance, under the Partnership for Growth (PFG), the Philippines was selected as one of the 4 pilot countries

and the only country in Asia, in recognition of our track record in partnering with the US government and our

potential for continued economic growth. In this program, the US Government has committed an estimated $170

million to pursue three (3) key areas of policy engagement: (i) improving the regulatory environment;

(ii) strengthening the rule of law and anti-corruption measures; and (iii) improving scal space. The Philippine

Government is being assisted, moreover, by 17 different US agencies to achieve the objectives of the program.

There has been no forum where I was not expected to discuss the West Philippine Sea issue. The core issue here

is Chinas claim of indisputable sovereignty over nearly all of the South China Sea under its nine dash

line position. It is a claim that is expansive, excessive and in gross violation of international law,

specically UNCLOS. Chinas continuous overwhelming naval and maritime presence

in the area is al so contributing to the raising of regional tensions.


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We have undertaken many efforts to peacefully engage China and settle these disputes.

However, all of these were unsuccessful. The Philippines has exhausted all reasonable

political and diplomatic avenues for a peaceful negotiated settlement of its

maritime dispute with China. Our last resort is to utilize the legal track

towards the resolution of these disputes.

From the Philippine perspective, the rules-based approach contains two elements:

the rst is the third-party arbitration towards resolution of maritime disputes, in

accordance with the univer sally recognized principles of international law, specicallyUNCLOS; and the second is the expeditious conclusion of a Code of Conduct (COC)

on the South China Sea between ASEAN and China towards the management

of tensions. Those initiatives are anchored on international law.

The Philippines initiated arbitral proceedings in January this year. Upon invitation,

China refused to par ticipate. We see arbitration as an open, friendly, and durable

solution to the dispute. We believe it benets everyone. For China, arbitration will dene

and clarify its maritime entitlements. For the Philippines, arbitration will clari fy what is ours,

specically our shing rights, rights to resources and rights to enforce laws within our

Exclusive Economic Zone. For the rest of the international community, the

clarication of maritime entitlements will assure peace , security, stability

and freedom of navigation in the South China Sea.

On the status of the arbitration, the Arbitral Tribunal has adopted the r ules of procedureand decided that the Permanent Cour t of Arbitration in The Hague shall act as the

Registry in the proceedings. Again, China refused to participate in the proceedings.

Nonetheless, the decision of the Arbitral Tribunal will be legally binding on all parties and

will not be appealable. The Philippines will submit its Memorial by 30 March 2014.

The Philippines fully suppor ts ASEANs efforts to work towards the early conclusion of

a substantive and legally binding COC to promote the peaceful management of tensions

in the South China Sea. The Philippines is encouraged by the results of recent meetings

between ofcials of ASEAN and China where both sides agreed to begin

discussions on the workplan for the COC.

Despite the challenges we face in protecting what is ours, the Philippines endeavors to

maintain a constructive relationship with China, one that is mutually benecial. Wemaintain that our dispute in the West Philippine Sea is not the sum total of our relations.


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ENDNOTES:

1 Makati Business Club, PhilExport, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry

2 ASEAN Secretary-General Statement, APEC Ministerial Meeting, October 2013

The President is rm in his conviction to uphold his agreement with Chinese President Hu

Jintao in 2011 not to let the maritime dispute affect the broader picture of

friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

We acknowledge Chinas role in world affairs and support its peaceful rise. To be truly viewed

as a positive force, China must manifest its adherence to and respect for the r ule of law.

Clarion Call

May I, therefore, enjoin every Filipino to fully support our independent and principled Foreign

Policy in advancing our advocacies in all three pillars; to continue fully supporting the

Presidents Daang Matuwid. With you as par tners, the Government will be further energized

to work towards inclusive growth, combating corruption, promoting transparency and

accountability, improving global competitiveness, achieving just and lasting peace, and

upholding the rule of law. May I, moreover, enjoin each and every one of you to

continue speaking well of what is happening in the Philippines and to speak

more often and more loudly of our very bright future.

The global spotlight is on us. Let us make the most of this important juncture in our history.

H.E. ALBERT F. DEL ROSARIO

Secretary of Foreign Affairs

The text of this paper was from the Speech of Secretary Albert del Rosario delivered during

the Management Association Of The Philippines (MAP) 2013 General Membership Meeting

last October 24, 2013, at Bahia, Intercontinental Manila. The Theme of the Membership

Meeting was Inclusive Growth and Competitiveness with Integrity. Secretary del Rosario

was the former Chairman of Philippine Stratbase Consultancy Inc.

Towards a Systematic Analysis of Automated Election in the Philippines

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