6
EROPA Bulletin
Prof. Hideaki Shiroyama reflects on the conference theme.
(Photo: LAC)
Vol. 34 Nos. 3-4 (July-December 2013)
Professor Edna A. Co from the National College of Public
Administration and Governance (NCPAG), University
of the Philippines, discussed issues, challenges and
implications in the current government system in the
Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) in
Southern Philippines. Her presentation, “The Philippine
Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao: Challenges
for Local Democracy and Decentralization,” dealt with
problems and weaknesses of the local government
in ARMM, particularly in its mandate to uphold two
important elements of local democracy: 1) representation,
particularly of public institution and the legislature, in the
electorate and other platforms of popular opinion; and 2)
participation of democratic institutions through which
citizens are able to influence public policy.
According to Prof. Co, among the hurdles to representation
in the ARMM are: 1) dominant influence of the national
PA experts reflect on gov’t...
government over the local government, stripping
(From page 5)
ARMM of its autonomy and powers; 2) weak judicial
government sector should be given equal development and legislative systems, owing to the limited powers
opportunities to be able to understand partnerships with of Shariah courts and poor performance of mainstream
stakeholders.
courts; 3) poor performance of the Regional Legislative
Assemblies (RLAs); 4) financial dependence of the
Meanwhile, Prof. Kim explained that training programs region on the national government; and 5) weak taxation
in Asian countries such as China and Korea are largely due to high poverty and weak economy in ARMM; 5)
grade-based. He added that while some government lack of coordination between the regional and local
institutions in the region require a certain number of hours governments in public service delivery functions; and 6)
for training per official, only a few senior civil service weak participation of women. Prof. Co also explained
officials participate in training activities.
that the electoral process is largely influenced by political
clans, traditional families, and warlords, whose violent
Prof. Kim shared a number
clashes (termed, “rido”) further make election
of civil service training “People aren’t born great process difficult. This problem is aggravated
programs
that
public leaders. Leadership needs to by a weak political party system.
administration institutions can
be learned. We must invest
emulate to enhance human
time and money to give our In terms of participation, Prof. Co noted that
resource
development
in
ordinary citizens are usually passive; they are
their organizations.
Some senior people the skills and only involved during the elections, or when
of these are: Leadership for confidence they need they are called for participation by public
a Democratic Society (LDS) to become effective and officials.
Program of the US Federal
successful leaders.”
Executive Institute; the UK
--Prof. Pan Suk Kim
In sum, Prof. Co indicated some lessons from
SCS Base Camp and Advanced
democracy and decentralization in ARMM.
Leadership
Program;
First, based on the ARMM study, the
orientation programs by the Canadian government for responsibilities of local, regional and national governments
assistant deputy ministers. He recommended that new in ensuring autonomy and decentralization should be wellprograms, particulary those that would allow senior civil coordinated. The existing situation also poses a challenge
service officials to gain academic credits after completion to educated, middle-class and faith-based groups, as
of training activities, should be established in the future. well as the international(Continued on the next page)