The Philippines in 2014: unmasking the daang matuwid

Abstract

The Benigno S. Aquino administration continued with its good governance platform in 2014. It has resulted in continued economic growth and the detention of key personalities of the opposition. However, it failed to apply the same standards to its allies. The challenges the administration faced include the persistence of poverty, bureaucratic incompetence, unconstitutionality of its pump-priming economic program, the peace process, and the threat of China. The same challenges would seem to continue in 2015.

Keywords::

• political reforms
• political cycles
• poverty
• corruption
• peace process
• pork barrel

Acknowledgements

The author acknowledges the comments and suggestions of the members of the PPSJ Editorial Board who reviewed early drafts of this year-end report. However, he assumes full responsibility for the final manuscript.

Notes

^1.Belgica et al. vs. Ochoa et al., G.R. No. 208566, 19 November 2013, pp. 69–70. http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/microsite/pdaf/.

^2.Araullo et al. vs. Aquino et al., G.R. No. 209287, 1 July 2014, pp. 6–7. http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/microsite/dap/.

^3. “Framers of the 1987 Constitution Support Bangsamoro,” OPAPP, 9 January 2015. http://www.opapp.gov.ph/milf/news/framers-1987-constitution-support-bangsamoro.

^4. The Mamasapano incident, however, might delay the passage of the bill.

^5. For example, read Ferran Requejo's Multinational Federalism and Value Pluralism: The Spanish Case (2005).

^6. The agreement has been challenged in the Supreme Court by the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) (New Nationalist Alliance). The decision of the Supreme Court is expected to be released in mid-2015.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Dennis F. Quilala

Dennis F. Quilala is Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science, University of the Philippines, Diliman. His research interests include international dimensions of internal conflicts, peace initiatives, human rights, and Mindanao. He teaches Philippine politics, political theory, and peace processes.