Risks Loom Ahead of Philippine Elections

“With his popularity surging in recent polls, Noynoy Aquino looks very much like the man to bean in next Monday’s Philippine elections. But given the long history of corrupt electoral practices in the Philippines, the uncertainty of the country’s first automated election, and the possibility, if remote, that voters’ attitudes could shift as the election nears, the election is far from over. While an Aquino landslide could hide some of the flaws of the Philippine electoral system, other outcomes could ignite the passions of the Philippine electorate and possibly stir unrest,” says Asia Society Executive Vice President Jamie Metzl, who was recently in the Philippines as part of a pre-election delegation organized by the National Democratic Institute.

Jamie is in New York. To arrange an interview, contact the Asia Society communications department at 212-327-9271 or [email protected].