PRELIM OUTPUT EXAM

(GOVERNANCE)

THEOLOGY 4
SECTION 60008

SUBMITTED BY:
ABUTAL, MICHAEL CEDIE
AGUILAR, LOIS-AN
CUBOL, MARY DENNISSE
MAYNES, KIAN MATTHEW
LOPEZ, ARTHENIAN DAVE
REYES, MYKA ANGELI

SUBMITTED TO:
MS. MARIA FLORABEL BELONG
INTRODUCTION
Governance can be characterized as the system by which entities are directed
and controlled.  It is concerned with structure and forms for choice making,
responsibility, control and conduct at the beat of an entity. Governance has an effect on
how an organization's goals are set and achieved, how risk is managed, and how
efficiency is enhanced.  Governance is a system and process, not a single activity and
therefore successful implementation of a good governance strategy requires a
systematic approach that incorporates strategic planning, risk management and
performance management.  Like culture, it is a core component of the unique
characteristics of a successful organization.

The mechanisms through which organizations are guided, governed, and held
accountable are referred to as governance. It encompasses an organization's authority,
responsibility, leadership, direction, and power. The application of good governance
principles and practices in the company will lead to greatness, which is why governance
is so vital. From 1935, when the Philippines turned into a semiautonomous district, the
conduct of presidents and other amazing political and monetary elites has vigorously
affected the nature of the country's majority rule governmental issues and governance.1
The. Accordingly, the president assumes a focal part in deciding arrangement results,
just as the standards and conduct that shape governmental issues and administration.

REAL SITUATIONS
The real situations are Drug-war, Political killings, Threat and Harassment,
Freedom of Media, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Lastly, Covid-19.
Drug war is After winning a landslide victory in June 2016, President Rodrigo
Duterte of the Philippines immediately fulfilled a campaign promise and instigated a so-
called ‘war on drugs.’ He publicly endorsed the arrest and killing of suspected drug
users and sellers, even going as far as to promise the police there would be no
repercussions for their actions.
Extrajudicial killings, as per worldwide law, the option to be liberated from
execution incorporates independence from any subjective or extrajudicial hardship of
life, just as independence from capital punishment even with fair treatment of law This is
a crucial basic liberty that should be regarded, and governments are legitimately
committed to do what they can to forestall such killings and consider those capable
answerable.
Freedom of speech from the 1987 constitution, no law shall be passed
abridging the freedom of speech, of expression, or of the press, or the right of the
people peaceably to assemble and petition the government for redress of grievances.
Section 5. No law shall be made respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting
the free exercise thereof. Press freedom in the Philippines further endured a hit during
the Covid pandemic, with more prohibitive measures against media substances through
terrorizing, reconnaissance, and different strategies, a report said. This comes close by
the labeling of columnists and activists incredulous of the public authority as individuals
from the socialist New People's Army (NPA).
The SOGIE Bill is basically an anti-discrimination bill. It recognizes that many
people, whether they're LGBTQIA++ or cisgender, experience discrimination based on
their SOGIE. The bill seeks to protect all people from this kind of discrimination.
According to Atty. Kristine Mendoza, a lawyer who works at the office of Sen.
Hontiveros, "The bill aims to prohibit discrimination on the basis of SOGIE, so even the
'straights' are protected by this bill."

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's approach to curbing COVID-19 has

slammed the breaks on the economy and caused untold pain for millions of Filipinos,
with hunger and begging on the rise. The Duterte organization's reaction to the Covid-
19 pandemic has been driven by previous military officials, utilizing police upheld by the
military, which has brought about genuine denials of basic liberties. Misuses detailed
incorporate nearby authorities placing time limit violators in canine enclosures or
presenting them to hours sitting in the late spring sun as a type of discipline. Two kids
who were captured after Reports of aggressive behavior at home have ascended during
lockdown limitations of the government assistance of youngsters, especially concerning
kid sexual and actual maltreatment.

MAIN CONCERNS
Human Rights
Drug-war
Based on Human Rights Watch, the governments “war against drugs” started
after President Rodrigo Duterte took office back in June 2016. The Philippine National
Police have reported 5,526 from July 1 of 2016 to June 30 of 2019, increasing by 50%
in 2020 over the pandemic lockdown period. Research done by the Human Rights
Watch and other media outlets such as Rappler and Reuters show that these killings
were done by the police themselves, likely to the purpose why most of the killings from
the “drug war” have not been properly investigated as there is also a committee created
to investigate the involvement of the police in these killings.
Political Killings, Threats, Harassment
Extrajudicial killings go as far from the drug-involved homicide to political
activists, leaders and human rights defenders. Noted on the World Report that
according to Rappler’s tally, 116 were killed in Negros from July 1, 2016 to August 27,
2019, saying that others may be drug-related, most of the fatalities were groups of
activist farmers.
 While on June 4, 2020, it was reported by OHCHR that they had found
“numerous systematic human rights violations” and 208 of those killings were human
rights defenders. There have also been visible key targets both online and physical
harassments during the previous year, mostly being leftist activists, human rights
defenders, as well as the “red-tagging” of public figures to being part of the New
People’s Army (NPA).
In July, an outrage was caused by the President signing the Anti-Terrorism Law
that covers vague provisions on who could violate this law and can be arrested and
detained.
Freedom of Media
In 2019, Maria Ressa, the executive editor of Rappler, was known to be arrested
for unsupported cases of tax evasion and libel. Ressa and Rappler face problem due to
the government’s retribution on media outlets that report about the “drug-war.” In 2020,
the country’s largest television network was shut down as the Philippine Congress voted
no to extending their franchise, knowing that a majority of them were under Duterte.
ABS-CBN was accused by the President and his officials that the network often
criticized “war on drugs” campaign.
Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
The Philippine Congress still refuses to pass the SOGIE bill that prohibits
discrimination towards a person’s sexual orientation and gender identity that affects
their employment, education and other rights and benefits.
Covid-19
Based on the World Report 2021, the Philippines have one of the highest
confirmed COVID-19 cases in Southeast Asia. The government had imposed various
types of quarantine restrictions to prevent the spread of the virus. The administration
chose to respond to the virus by having military forces lead which has caused severe
human rights abuse. Some punishments were downright abuse and humiliation that
included placing the violators in dog cages or exposure to the summer heat. There was
also a report wherein two children were put in a coffin. Another pair of news was where
three LGBT people were being forced to kiss and dance in public as a punishment. The
Philippines currently has the longest lockdown in the world.
MAIN CAUSES OF CONCERNS
Drug War
According to research, poverty and corruption are one of the main causes of the
war on drugs in the country. We would not be able to minimize the demand for the
substance if it does not solve the social and economic deficits that are causing people
to consume drugs and deal with trafficking. The government should pay attention and
reckon the war on unemployment and war on inequality first because it may be the
primary reason people choose to take his or her first hit. Human-rights groups also say
that the police have targeted mostly poor communities, putting suspects on "drug lists"
compiled by local community leaders.
Political Killings, Threats, Harassment
Human rights activists and farmers who is widely suspected were killed by the
government of President Rodrigo Duterte for fighting against feudal policies and
defending the rights of peasants to own land. Authorities often label these targets as
communists or terrorists. It is a process known as red-tagging and many appear on hit
lists that are circulated publicly and used by military, police, and vigilantes alike.
The research findings indicate that political assassinations are more probable in
countries that suffer from a combination of restrictions on political competition and
strong polarization and fragmentation. More specifically, states that lack consensual
political ethos and homogeneous populations and include politically deprived groups will
face a decline in the legitimacy of the political leadership and the political system and an
increase in the likelihood of direct attacks against the youth mass leaders.
Since President Duterte’s election in May 2016, human rights defenders in the
Philippines have been subject to increased violence and killings, the criminal justice
system is abused and laws, such as the Anti-Terrorism law are being used to grant the
Government excessive and unchecked powers to silence and suppress them.
Freedom of Media
Duterte updated law to fight terrorism was prioritized by the ruling party. That line
of inquiry turned to anger after people began to read the provisions of the bill. No other
legislation in recent memory has been as thoroughly scrutinized by as many groups,
analysts, and the media. Online protests exploded and opposition to the anti-terror law
became a rallying call for advocates campaigning for human rights protection in the
Philippines. In April 2017, the president said that he would block the franchise request,
claiming that ABS-CBN was swindling him by not airing one of his paid campaign ads
for the 2016 elections. This was the first of many times Duterte threatened the network’s
shutdown, citing personal reasons. Like other media outlets, he also claimed that ABS-
CBN spreads fake news about him.
Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
Persons with diverse sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) experience
abuse and violence from their families, neighbors, educational/training institutions and
even from government institutions. LGBT people also experience lost economic
opportunities due to discrimination in employment such as being required to wear
clothes according to their sex-assigned at birth as condition for hiring and outright
refusal to hire applicants on the ground of their SOGI. LGBTs are at high risk of suicide
which is linked with their experiences of being rejected and discriminated based on their
gender identity. The stigma that LGBTs face in everyday life takes a toll on their mental
and physical well-being. The lack of a national policy as legal basis to address these
discriminatory practices leaves the LGBTs with no recourse for redress. This results to
continued violations of LGBTs human rights by private as well as public institutions and
individuals.
Covid-19
Base on the research, it was said that a calibrated response is used to identify
clusters of infections and isolating them. President Duterte's administration has come
under fire for its largely punitive and militaristic implementation of the COVID-19
measures. The government started deploying police to accompany medics and to
transfer infected patients to isolation facilities. Duterte said that the military’s
involvement in response and rescue efforts enabled the government to remain “on top
of the situation” and maintain order. However, an initial bill sought to give Duterte the
power to take over private companies and utilities, for instance, to fight Covid-19 but
any additional powers are a bad idea, in the case of a leader who governs through
threats, has bragged of personally killing people and seems to know no restraint. While
it has militarized the streets and given orders to shoot and kill anyone fighting back and
threatening security forces' lives, the Duterte regime has given the military near total
control of the relief effort, with the body overseeing its disbursement of aid controlled by
a panel of current and ex-generals.

RESPONSE OF THE GOVERNMENT TO THE ISSUE

Philippines: Good Governance Contributes to Growth that is Beneficial to the
poor.
With 189 member countries, staff from more than 170 countries, and offices in over 130
locations, the World Bank Group is a unique global partnership: five institutions working
for sustainable solutions that reduce poverty and build shared prosperity in developing
countries. The World Bank Group works in every major area of development. We
provide a wide array of financial products and technical assistance, and we help
countries share and apply innovative knowledge and solutions to the challenges they
face. We face big challenges to help the world’s poorest people and ensure that
everyone sees benefits from economic growth. Data and research help us understand
these challenges and set priorities, share knowledge of what works, and measure
progress.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's approach to curbing COVID-19 has
slammed the breaks on the economy and caused untold pain for millions of Filipinos,
with hunger and begging on the rise. The Duterte organization's reaction to the Covid-
19 pandemic has been driven by previous military officials, utilizing police upheld by the
military, which has brought about genuine denials of basic liberties. Misuses detailed
incorporate nearby authorities placing time limit violators in canine enclosures or
presenting them to hours sitting in the late spring sun as a type of discipline.

RESPONSE OF THE CHURCH TO THE ISSUE

The church has been a big part in every Filipinos life; thus, its opinion really
matters to us. With what’s happening in the Philippines, the church and state have been
arguing about the biggest issues of our country, for examples are the human rights,
drug war, political threat, harassments, and killings, freedom of media, sexual
orientation and gender identity and Covid-19.

The church has a response to these issues, first is with human rights as well as
where the drug wars and political threats, harassments and killings will fall through, the
Church belief about the dignity of the human person is to care and protect the dignity of
one individual is linked to the common good as they said, “What is at stake is the
dignity of the human person, whose defense and promotion have been entrusted
to us by the Creator...” they believe that all humans are made in the image and
likeness of God, thus they deserve to be treated fairly and equally. The Bishop has
taken upon himself the task of documenting the continuing abuse and violence of these
political person. Moreover, the church has run a rehabilitation program for the drug
addicts since they said that these people are human beings and deserve to get the
treatment they need and not death.

One of the biggest issues in the Philippines is about the Sexual Orientation and
Gender Identity, we all know that most of the people is against to it since, many that
lived here in the Philippines are very religious, though, there is still some that was
support to it, like the Bishop Solito Toquiero from the National Council of the Churches
Philippines said the religious institution support the SOGIE Bill whereas the people from
the LGBTQIA+ community can be freely express themselves and be protected, despite
the backlash from some religious groups that it goes against the teachings of the
Church. Other than that, the Sister Mary John Mananzan from St. Scholastica’s College
said that the bill that penalizes all forms of discrimination against the queer community
should be made into law because there is a need to provide equal access to member of
the community in terms of education, employment, and social services.

Lastly, the Covid-19, this issue has affected all of us in most gruesome ways,
many- no, millions have died in different places in the world, but people will always have
hope that someday we will all get through this and the church is a big help for giving us
hope, they keep teaching us what should we do in these times. Just like this recent
event, the Ash Wednesday, the priest has thought of a way to avoid physical contact,
prelates are considering sprinkling dry ash on the penitents’ head instead of daubing
ash with holy water on the forehead. The rite reminds them that they are but dust and to
dust they shall return.

Overall, there are some issues in the Philippines that the Church is against it and
some is support for it. But in all honesty, we, people can really decide for ourselves and
the church is just there to guide us and give us some opinion to it. We just need to be
open and be smart about how we will approach and response to these issues for
ourselves.

SUMMARY
In conclusion to the main concerns, main causes of the issue, from the response
of the government to the issues, and response of the church to it, the church and state
opinions should always be separated. It is because their beliefs are far from each
other’s opinion. Like in war on drugs, the government is in favor of extrajudicial killings
while the church’s response from the issue is that, they are against it. The Church is
focus on preserving life since it is what they consider ethically correct. While the
government sees no other option, the Church believes that there’s still a chance for
change. Same as Political killings, the view of government is to lessen the wrong
actions, but they are the ones who does the deed. Another issue is Sexual and Gender
Identity. The Church is against it due to their beliefs and scriptures from the bible, while
the government is still in the process of accepting it. The government has not yet fully
opened their eyes to the said issue that’s why they have their limitations. Lastly, Covid-
19, the virus that affected all of us in most gruesome ways. Millions have died in
different places in the world, but people will always have hope that someday we will all
get through this and the Church is a big help for giving us hope. They keep teaching us
what should we do in these times. The government’s response to Covid-19 has been
very poor, which resulted to the continuous downfall of the economy and caused untold
pain for millions of Filipinos. The Duterte organization's reaction to Covid-19 pandemic
has been driven by previous military officials, utilizing police upheld by the military,
which has brought about genuine denials of basic liberties. Hopefully the Philippine
Government will soon lead in a better road and let all Filipinos bring above and not
drown from poverty, and lots of issues like this again. In the end of the day, the
Governance and Church’s opinion will always matter but don’t let it interfere with each
other’s opinion for a better state.

References:
what is it and why is it important? (n.d.). Www.governancetoday.com.
https://www.governancetoday.com/GT/Material/Governance__what_is_it_and_why_is_it_important_.aspx

In Examining the Philippines’ Drug War, the ICC Takes a Positive but Challenging Step. (2018).
https://www.chathamhouse.org/2018/02/examining-philippines-drug-war.

Extrajudicial killings in the Philippines – Human Rights Measurement Initiative. (2019).

https://humanrightsmeasurement.org/extrajudicial-killings-in-the-philippines/

(2020). Retrieved from https://www.rappler.com/nation/state-media-freedom-philippines-report-2020

Church teaching on human rights - Human rights and social justice - GCSE Religious Studies Revision - WJEC.
(n.d.). BBC Bitesize. https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/z3xxk2p/revision/1

How the Catholic Church is fighting the drug war in the Philippines. (2018, March 27). America Magazine.
https://www.americamagazine.org/politics-society/2018/01/25/how-catholic-church-fighting-drug-war-philippines

Pope backs Filipino bishop fighting deadly “drug war” - Vatican News. (2019, May 30).
Www.vaticannews.va. https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2019-05/bishop-david-kaloocan-philippines-pope-
drug-war.html

Some religious leaders back SOGIE bill. (n.d.). Cnn. https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2019/9/4/SOGIE-bill-

LGBTQ-discrimination-religious-groups
Jr, F. D. P. (n.d.). The Church adjusts to COVID-19 risks. Philstar.com. Retrieved March 4, 2021, from
https://www.philstar.com/opinion/2020/02/23/1995327/church-adjusts-covid-19-risks
‌ Johnson, D & Fernquest, J. (2018, Mya 2). Governing through Killing: The War on Drugs in the Philippines.
Cambridge Core. Retrieved from https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/asian-journal-of-law-and-
society/article/governing-through-killing-the-war-on-drugs

Reyes, T. (2020, June 5). Everything You Want to Know About the ABS-CBN Shutdown, Answered. VICE. Retrieved
from: https://www.vice.com/en/article/9359k8/abs-cbn-shutdown-duterte-philippines-explained

Meyer, D. (2020, October 21). Heated. We Are Farmers. We Are Not Terrorists. Retrieved from
https://heated.medium.com/we-are-farmers-we-are-not-terrorists-d16f3983067
Hartung, W. (2020, April 20). CNN. Duterte uses Covid-19 response to broaden reign of fear and repression.
Retrieved from https://edition.cnn.com/2020/04/20/opinions/duterte-covid-19-philippines-repression-
hartung/index.html

Human Rights Watch, 2021, “World Report 2021: Rights Trends in Philippines", https://www.hrw.org/world-
report/2021/country-chapters/philippines

Human Rights Watch, 2020, “World Report 2020: Rights Trends in Philippines”, https://www.hrw.org/world-
report/2020/country-chapters/philippines#

Simbulan, N. P., 2020, Human Rights as the Foundation of Good Governance: The Ironies of the Philippine
Experience, https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/seac/2020/06/01/human-rights-as-the-foundation-of-good-governance/

https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2012/05/09/philippines-good-governance-contributes-
to-growth-that-is-beneficial-to-the-poor-world-bank