The Council for People’s Development and Governance (CPDG) stands in solidarity with the Filipino people in calling for the end of President Duterte’s undemocratic governance and anti-people policies in his last State of the Nation Address (SONA) today, July 26, 2021.
“The Filipino people suffered so much in the last five years under Pres. Duterte’s rule. Even before the pandemic, we have endured excruciating poverty, inequality, gross human rights violations, and the constriction of democratic spaces while a handful of Filipino oligarchs are getting richer and the incumbent political bloc do as they wish, including the surrender of national patrimony”, says CPDG spokesperson Liza Maza.
From July 5 to July 19 this year, CPDG held a forum series themed “People’s Review of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Rising above the health and economic crisis in the time of COVID-19” to track whether the Philippines is faring well in its SDG targets six years after the Philippine government committed to implementing the goals through the Philippine Development Plan. Respective organizations uncovered the stagnance and regression of development indicators in the country’s socio-economic dimensions, primarily due to bad governance and the government’s neoliberal economic thrust.
“Our aspiration for industrial development and corresponding improvement of people’s wellbeing is hindered by the Duterte government’s anti-people and wealth-biased development policies. It does not focus on alleviating the dire situation of the people, especially the poor. Instead, it pours its resources in enriching its oligarch clique—both local and foreign, in suppressing dissent and criticism, and in extending power by hook or by crook,” asserts Maza.
CPDG raises alarm on the threat of a prolonged “Duterte legacy” marked by extreme poverty, human rights violations, and aggravated inequalities through the possibility of a Duterte-Duterte tandem in the 2022 National Elections, with the president himself running as Vice President to his daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio who is vying for the Presidency.
“We have to take back our rights by all means; towards building a truly-democratic society and for advancing people-centered and rights-based development. This will not be possible under another Duterte and with the same governance framework,” Maza further added.
“The slogan ‘#WakasanNa’ speaks volumes. It is neither a mere political slogan nor a simple rallying cry devoid of democratic aspirations. It is the people’s demand after years of being fed up with a government that does not address their interests and needs.” Maza ended. #