Activity 1: Article Critique

Instruction: You will be given an article that you need to read and analyze, afterwards questions will be
provided below, answer the question by supporting your statements with claims from the article.

Making positive changes through good governance in the Philippines

Krystyna Dy - Philstar.com

August 31, 2023 | 11:13am

Good governance is fundamental to social and economic progress. It promotes trust in society, empowers
citizens, and fosters opportunities for sustainable development.

In light of this reality, it's critical to focus on the potential of creating positive social change through better
governance policies in countries like the Philippines. As a nation that has experienced decades of political
turmoil and entrenched inequality, breaking down barriers and building up hope start with making sure people
are equipped with the tools needed to participate meaningfully in their government’s decisions.

In July 2023, a Stratbase ADR Institute-commissioned Pulse Asia survey revealed that, of 1,200 respondents,
a large majority -- 84% -- of Filipinos believe that the government must step up its fight against corruption.
Moreover, in Transparency International's 2022 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), the Philippines came in
the 166th place out of 180 nations.

Fortunately, hopes of progress and positive changes in Philippine society are being pushed forward by strong
forces of good governance. The mission to break down significant barriers and build up promising prospects is
gaining powerful momentum, allowing us to truly believe that a brighter future lies ahead for everyone in the
country.

The Philippine Open Government Partnership (PH-OGP) was institutionalized last June 2023 when President
Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. signed Executive Order No. 31.

The EO set long-term commitments to an open government, focusing on moving forward on mechanisms that
can be used in the digital age, tapping the potential of technology to make governance and policy-making more
accountable and transparent, and preserving democracy through key institutional reforms.

As one of OGP’s eight founding governments, the PH-OGP has been engaging in a number of reforms and
initiatives that are aimed not only at strengthening democratic processes and ensuring better public
participation, but also at advancing digital transformation and improving access to public information, among
others.

The DBM's efforts to promote good governance also extend beyond executive orders. DBM has also recently
launched its 2022-2026 Digital Transformation Roadmap as a means to support the administration’s ongoing
digital transformation to enhance bureaucratic efficiency and ensure sound fiscal management.

DBM also plans to submit to Congress its suggested amendments to Republic Act No. 9184, generally known
as the Government Procurement Reform Act, in an effort to further increase government transparency and
better public expenditure.

Marcos has repeatedly urged government officials to "uphold accountability and inhibit corruption" as he sought
support for legislation like the E-Governance Act, which will institutionalize digitalization in the bureaucracy,
and the creation of a single operating system for all government transactions to guarantee the ease of doing
business and, in turn, encourage investments.

Earlier this year, he also stressed the importance of transparency and accountability in all of his
administration's decisions, particularly as they expedite major projects.

In an effort to heed the call of the president, more than a hundred mayors from around the country formed "The
Mayors for Good Governance" and pledged to "uphold the principles of good governance" and look out for the
interests of their constituents.

As they, too, pledged to a "comprehensive blueprint" that would direct their actions during their tenure, these
elected officials vowed to "maintain the highest standards of integrity and transparency in all aspects of
governance... driven by honesty and accountability, ensuring that the public’s trust in our office remains our
foundation for our service."
At Democracy Watch Philippines (DWPh), we support these initiatives, as we believe that fostering
transparency and accountability in government institutions is an essential part of good governance. It plays an
important role in ensuring citizen participation and promoting trust between citizens and their governments.

This week, DWPh will attend The Southeast Asia Network for Transparent and Accountable Governance
(SEANTAG) Regional Dialogue, a two-day event in Jakarta, Indonesia, that is part of the 2023 ASEAN Civil
Society Conference/ASEAN People’s Forum Agenda.

The dialogue will highlight and reaffirm government, civil society, and private sector collaboration in advancing
the ASEAN's agenda for transparent and accountable governance, and to support national and regional
strategies and education in line with the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) and ASEAN
Community Sectoral Blueprints.

The whole of society has the responsibility to build a culture of transparency and accountability in their
respective institutions, and we believe that this dialogue is instrumental to bringing us closer to that goal.

Good governance is at the heart of nation-building as it creates an environment wherein citizens are enabled to
engage meaningfully with their government, hold it accountable for its actions, and trust that it will deliver on its
promises.

For decades, the people of the Philippines have faced countless obstacles in making positive changes to their
society and government. These issues range from poverty, and lack of economic growth to institutional
corruption which has caused difficulty for Filipinos in leading equitable lives.

Good governance is essential to achieving social progress throughout the world. There is now an opportunity
for improved decision-making processes in the Philippines' public sector that can help break down these
barriers while simultaneously building up hope among us citizens.

Source: Dy H., (2023) Making positive changes through good governance in the Philippines.,
PHILSTAR.https://www.philstar.com/news-commentary/2023/08/31/2292777/making-positive-changes-through-
good-governance-philippines,
Questions

Rubrics: Content: 7 pts Grammar: 3 pts

CATAO-WA_Midact1

1. How is “Good Governance “explained in the article? Support your statements with lines/ statements
from the article. (10 pts)
- Good governance is explained in the article as fundamental to social and economic progress,
promoting trust, empowering citizens, and fostering opportunities for sustainable development.
According to the article, "Good governance is fundamental to social and economic progress. It
promotes trust in society, empowers citizens, and fosters opportunities for sustainable development."

2. What are the plans of the Government in terms of implementing good governance in the country and
how could this impact the current administration? Support your statements with lines/ statements from
the article. (10 pts)
- The government's plans for implementing good governance include the establishment of the
Philippine Open Government Partnership (PH-OGP), focusing on open government, digital
transformation, and institutional reforms. The article states, "The Philippine Open Government
Partnership (PH-OGP) was institutionalized last June 2023 when President Ferdinand 'Bongbong'
Marcos Jr. signed Executive Order No. 31." Additionally, President Marcos Jr. advocates for legislation
like the E-Governance Act, emphasizing transparency and accountability. The article mentions,
"Marcos has repeatedly urged government officials to 'uphold accountability and inhibit corruption' as
he sought support for legislation like the E-Governance Act."

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) plays a role in promoting good governance
through a Digital Transformation Roadmap and proposed amendments to the Government
Procurement Reform Act. The article notes, "DBM has also recently launched its 2022-2026 Digital
Transformation Roadmap."These initiatives could impact the current administration positively by
enhancing bureaucratic efficiency, ensuring sound fiscal management, and increasing government
transparency, fostering public trust and participation.

3. What is the difference between good and bad governance? Support your statements with lines/
statements from the article. (10 pts)
- While the article does not explicitly define the difference between good and bad governance, it
implies that good governance involves transparency, accountability, and citizen participation.
Initiatives like the PH-OGP and digital transformation are presented as efforts toward good
governance, suggesting that addressing corruption and promoting transparency are crucial elements.
The article emphasizes the need for the government to "uphold accountability and inhibit corruption."

4. What are your key takeaways on the article? (10pts)

- The importance of good governance for social and economic progress is emphasized throughout
the article.

- The Philippines faces historical challenges such as political turmoil, inequality, poverty, and
institutional corruption.

- Government initiatives, including the PH-OGP, digital transformation, and amendments to the
Government Procurement Reform Act, aim to promote good governance.

- President Bongbong Marcos Jr. plays a significant role in advocating for accountability,
transparency, and digitalization in government processes.

- The formation of "The Mayors for Good Governance" and their commitment to integrity and
transparency showcase efforts at the local level.
- Democracy Watch Philippines supports initiatives fostering transparency and accountability,
emphasizing their role in citizen participation.

- Regional efforts, like the SEANTAG Regional Dialogue, aim to promote transparent and accountable
governance in collaboration with government, civil society, and the private sector.

- Despite challenges, the article ends on a positive note, expressing optimism about the potential for
positive changes and a brighter future through good governance in the Philippines.