Societal Accountability And Democratization In The Philippines

Abstract

The multifaceted interpretation of the 2001 People Power Revolt illustrated the skepticism with regard to the progress of democratization in the Philippines. However, it is also important to view it as an event that has put the issues of accountability to the fore. It examines the concept of “societal accountability” as a response to the problems faced by the legal-institutional mechanisms of accountability. It applies this in the resignation, impeachment, and ouster (RIO) campaign of the former President Joseph Estrada. It argues that societal accountability was exercised through three strategies: the legal process of impeachment, the utilization of media, and the mobilization of different civil society organizations through protest actions. The paper concludes by enumerating its implications on democratization in the Philippines.