Promotion of Democracy: A collective responsibility
By Senate President Franklin M. Drilon

Honorable Graham Watson, Leader of the Alliance of Liberals & Democrats for Europe, Honorable Wolfgang Gerhart, Chairman of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation, Hon. Hans van Baalen, Deputy President of the Liberal International, former CALD Chairman Sam Rainsy, Bi-Kim Hsiao, former CALD Secretary and Vice President Liberal International Democratic Progressive Party (Taiwan), officers and members of the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD) and Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE), distinguished guests, friends, ladies and gentlemen, good evening.

Once again let me welcome all our delegates and guests from Europe Asia and Africa to the Philippines. I hope the Filipinos' innate hospitality, sincerity and friendliness will make your stay in our beloved country meaningful and memorable. It is indeed a great honor and pleasure to exchange insights with you knowing that we share a steadfast belief in the same democratic and liberal ideas. Friends we live in an imperfect world. A world that may have seen economic prosperity in the last century, but is still confronting the scourge of poverty in most parts of Africa and Asia in this century. A world that has seen awesome products of the human brain and brawn but has also witnessed both natural and man-made destruction to property and claimed millions of lives. A world where in some parts democracy was fiercely fought for and won while in some parts people have grown either weary from the struggle to achieve democracy or cynical about democratic ideals in view of economic and security challenges. While in this conference we extol democratic values in some parts of the globe democratic ideas and institutions are pilloried and trampled upon. Friends we know that strong adherence to democracy in most parts of the world had spurred technological advancement and free flow of information and created an environment conducive for human development before the last century ended. Democratic institutions promote equality and social  justice encourage investments in human capital and technologies check on abusive leaders as well as elite and powerful groups and facilitate the free flow of information.

Ladies and gentlemen bad governance – the root of all economic ills – can be squarely addressed only in a democracy because of the presence of institutions and legal environment that make governments and corporations accountable. In my country corruption is the root of bad governance. Indeed to assert that corruption harms Philippine society in an understatement. Corruption robs our children and generations yet unborn of a bright future. It deprives people of choices. Corruption has impeded Philippine economic development forcing over 7.5 million of my countrymen to migrate to almost every corner of the globe looking for jobs which our economy cannot provide. Ladies and Gentlemen, I submit that the fight against corruption can only be effective in a democracy. Why? Because it is only in a democracy where accountability is required of public officials and institutions. It is only in a democracy where we can have a strong and independent judiciary. It is only in a democracy one can have a resolute and vigilant media. When democratic institutions are weak corruption flourishes. Today in the midst of human security threats many democracies are facing the dilemma of balancing the promotion of civil and political liberties as against the higher interest of upholding the survival of the state. My country has a strong democratic culture and history – the Philippines being Asia's first democracy. Certainly we are proud of our democratic heritage but our nation's history is spotted with intermittent struggles to protect our democratic institutions. Twenty years ago the Filipinos gave the world a bloodless revolution and a peaceful transition of power known today as the EDSA People Power Revolution a model that was replicated in some countries in Europe. I submit, however, that democracy in my country is still a work in progress. While constitutional safeguards are in place to prevent the resurgence of an authoritarian regime we need to embark on bureaucratic and political reforms. We need to strengthen our judicial system. We need to undertake electoral reforms in order to promote and preserve the integrity and credibility of the electoral exercise. Friends there are vibrant democracies in Asia. And there are countries where voices calling for an end to political persecution have been silenced through intimidation harassment and even bullets. As Chairman of the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats I appeal to authoritarian governments: do not hide under the cloak of economic progress to justify authoritarianism. Economic success does not necessarily translate to political success as people regardless of race, color, creed or ethos, aspire for democratic space and right to political expression. Friends, the promotion of democracy is a collective responsibility. As veritable believers of democracy we have to support those who are suffering political persecution because of their relentless fight for democracy and freedom in their home country. I submit that democracy has its share of economic, political and social tensions and democratic space is always packed with risks and threats. However, of these I am certain: in a democracy, the civil and political liberties of the people are promoted and protected by democratic institutions. In a democracy the will of the governed is the bedrock of a strong and credible government.

Ladies and gentlemen, we share the same democratic dream with millions of other citizens of the world. Let us make this dream a reality in the 21st century. Thank you very much. Mabuhay!