Seeking Truth and Justice in Philippine Politics

“Philippine President Aquino put himself up to the task of prosecuting former President Arroyo and her officials by exposing in his State of the Nation address the Arroyo administration’s alleged plunder of government funds for political favors. Most Filipinos welcome this effort, but its future success must be viewed in the context of the slow justice system and dismal performance of the now discredited Presidential Commission on Good Government, which brought Imelda Marcos and her two children to the present legislature with their vast wealth still intact instead of making any of them accountable for the plunder committed in the Marcos dictatorship,” says Asia Society Philippines Center Executive Director Arnel Casanova. “While a Truth Commission has been created, new approaches must be adopted and a greater resolve than in the past must be had if indeed justice will be meted on the sins of the past nine years. But with a depleted budget, burgeoning debt, widening deficit and a house that Arroyo messed up before leaving, can President Aquino channel time and resources to prioritize her prosecution on top of other national concerns?”

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