In 2011, FNF celebrates its 25th year in the Philippines

FNF set up its office in Manila in 1986, the same year when the Philippines showed the world that democracy could be achieved through a peaceful revolution. The EDSA People Power toppled a dictator. Its victory installed a government with a promise of rebuilding institutions, protecting human rights, and preserving democracy. 

FNF Philippines is committed to these principles. Together with its partner organisations it has succeeded in implementing projects to promote liberal democracy, human rights, and market economy in the country.

Liberal Party of the Philippines (LP)

LP is one of the oldest political parties in the country. Its history is filled with sacrifice, a chronicle of leaders who dedicated their lives to the principles of freedom. LP stands by principled politics, which contributed to its electoral success in 2010 where a Liberal President, Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino was elected after 49 years.

FNF and LP are engaged in consultations and dialogues on reform policies. The cooperation also facilitates LP’s participation in international programs that provide opportunities for exchange of ideas and networking. FNF has embarked on a program aimed at strengthening the role and accountability and transparency of political parties, as a way to strengthen democracy and to combat corruption.

National Institute for Policy Studies (NIPS)

NIPS is the principal political institute focused on the promotion of liberal democracy in the Philippines since its inception in 1989.

With the support of FNF, NIPS organises public debates on relevant and timely issues in the country and conducts policy research to propose or promote liberal programs. Moreover, NIPS works towards building a reform constituency by involving the civil society, youth, academics and media in its activities. With the assistance of the foundation, NIPS was instrumental in developing the liberal reform agenda, which earned LP the distinction of the only political party in the Philippines that operates on a clear party platform.

Ateneo Human Rights Center (AHRC)

AHRC was established as one of the first university-based institutions engaged in the promotion and protection of human rights in the Philippines.

The Foundation shares AHRC’s objectives to promote human rights advocacy work. The associated internship program achieves this by exposing law students to the plight of the marginalised. A training manual for paralegals was published to contribute to the formation of more paralegals in the country, and improve access to justice for the poor. In the same way, the AHRC Child Desk is dedicated to the topic of children’s rights protection.

FNF and AHRC host an annual human rights forum to provide venues for civil society organisations and government representatives to discuss human rights issues.

The Training Manual for Paralegals aims to contribute to the formation of more paralegals throughout the Philippines and increase the access to justice for marginalised groups

Philippine Economic Society (PES)

PES serves as a network of economists in the academic arena, the government and the business sector. Its conferences and symposia provide a venue for discussion on a wide range of economic policy issues, in particular how to strengthen market economy and competition. FNF and PES also printed the Philippine edition of the Economic Freedom of World Report (EFW) that ranks countries according to legal and regulatory indexes.

IAF Alumni Group

The IAF Alumni Group of (IAF) is an association of former participants of seminars at the International Academy for Leadership in Germany. Filipino alumni, with the assistance of FNF Philippines, have replicated several IAF programs in the country: Liberal Perspectives in Philippine Education in 2007, New Public Management in 2008, Property Rights in 2009, Civil and Political Rights in 2010, and Political Parties & NGOs in 2011, where prominent government officials participated as resource speakers.

Further, FNF Philippines coordinates programs to curb corruption, and promote transparency and accountability in politics and public administration. It is working with government institutions and media agencies to raise awareness of and encourage involvement in good governance.

All these activities are conveyed to the public through different platforms, including new media technologies. FNF Philippines employs online tools, and trains its partners in web development, blogging, podcast, and video production to create social media engagement.

In 1986, FNF Philippines was only a witness to the birth of democracy. 25 years later, it can proudly point at its contributions, together with its partners in advancing the liberal principles of democracy, human rights, and market economy. The 25th Anniversary of FNF Philippines in 2011 is an opportunity to highlight the achievements of liberal democracy in the country, and to identify deficits that need to be addressed in coming years.

For more information please visit the project's website by clicking here.