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Its all about Freedom

2011 marked the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedoms (FNF) 25th year in the Philippines.
The Foundation set up its office in 1986, at a time when the country had just untangled itself from the chains of martial rule. It was a momentous period in history, and FNF was a proud witness of how Filipinos struggled and triumphed in their quest for freedom. 25 years later, the People Power Revolution that ousted a dictator is the same spirit that thrives to make the country truly free from corruption, poverty, ignorance, violence. And it is this inspiration that launched FNF Philippines campaign: Its All About Freedom. Its All About Freedom aims to translate the complex concept of freedom into everyday language. It hopes to rekindle peoples pursuit for freedom not only to address societal problems but also for selfdetermination. FNF Philippines recognizes that there is a need to convert ones freedom into empowerment and to inculcate into the value system the responsibilities that come with civil liberties and human rights. The campaign targets young people with social interest, and activists in and potential supporters of political parties and NGOs. It shall foster debate on issues related to the concept of freedom in the country, identify social and legislative restraints to freedom, and develop and promote policies to enhance political and economic freedom. The four major activities that were part of Its All About Freedom in 2011 were experimental: a run that made anti-corruption as a cause fashionable; a song to make freedom music to the ears; a contest that identifies best liberal practices; and a speech that inspires to dream and at the same to work for the country to be truly free. They were all successful experiments, and Its All About Freedom will continue in 2012. Jules Maaten Country Director Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom Philippine Office

Its all about Freedom zielt darauf ab, das komplexe Konzept von Freiheit in einen alltglichen Sprachgebrauch zu bringen. Damit ist die Hoffnung verbunden, das menschliche Streben nach Freiheit wieder zu erwecken, nicht nur um gesellschaftliche Probleme anzugehen, sondern auch fr die Selbstbestimmung.

2000 Runners race to eradicate corruption

Running has become a trend in the Philippines. Young and old, professionals and amateurs engage in the sport. However, more than being simply a craze and a reason for health and fitness, people sign up to running races to advance a cause. The Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF) Philippines took advantage of this interest to generate awareness on freedom and to push for anticorruption.
i am free from corruption was the theme of the Freedom Run organized by FNF Philippines on 27 November 2011 at the University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City. The date was significant because it was the birthday of Philippine national hero Ninoy Aquino, father of current Philippine President Noynoy Aquino and whose assassination sparked the 1986 People Power Revolution. The UP National College of Administration and Governance (UP-NCPAG), Aquino Foundation, and Athletic Performance and Endurance Training (APEX) extended their support to FNF in organizing the event.

Der Freedom-Run war eine Erfahrung, die es wert ist wiederholt zu werden. Es war ein Beweis dafr, dass Lernen Spa machen kann, wie auch Freiheit ein Recht ist, dass genossen werden kann.

From the initial target of 1000 participants, the registrants number doubled to 2000. Corporate sponsors committed to take part, and even more remarkable was the interest of government agencies and politicians to get involved. The yellow and blue jersey that flashed i am free from corruption became popular. At the race day, people were excited as they trickle in the venue as early as 5 a.m. Contestants of weight-loss television show The Biggest Loser led the crowd in chanting I am free!, and then all were off for a 3 and 6 kilometer-run at gun start. Singer-song writer Noel Cabangon launched Akoy Malaya (I am free) before the energized audience that sang and danced along. The Freedom Run was an experience worth repeating. It was a testament that learning can be fun, in the same way that freedom is a right to be enjoyed.

CO-ORGANIZERS: University of the Philippines - College of Public Administration and Governance (UP NCPAG), Aquino Foundation, APEX | SPONSORS: Event Sponsor - San Miguel Corporation; Major Sponsors - Hon. Annemie Neyts - Member of the European Parliament, Alliance of Liberal and Democrats for Europe, Brooks Footwear; Other Sponsors - Runnr Store, Manila Water, Soyami Soya Chips, Innovative Marketing Solutions, WheninManila, Senator Francis Pangilinan, Congressman, Erin Caada, Cong. Rodolfo Blazon, Congressman Vicente Belmont, Hon. Betty Nantes, Councilor Roderick Paulate | Special Thanks to: Liberal Party of the Philippines, Department of Transportation and Communication (Secretary Mar Roxas), Department of Agriculture, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Landbank of the Philippines, Bureau of Immigration, Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Sports Commission, Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA)

Sound of Freedom

Why did the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom Philippines (FNF) think of composing a Freedom Song for Its All About Freedom campaign? It was because people respond to music. A song can bind people together. Music is a transformative technology.
Among the objectives of the campaign was to communicate the value of freedom through a medium that everyone can relate to. With renowned singer-song writer Noel Cabangon, this was realized through Akoy Malaya (I am free). The song lyrics encourages owning up personal freedoms and inspires responsibility for our own freedom and that of the people around us. It also calls for a more favorable environment to maximize its benefits. The first time the song was played which was at the Freedom Run, the crowd immediately enjoined in the singing. Today, Akoy Malaya is becoming the anthem at events. The Liberal Party of the Philippines (LP) distributes the cd in their activities. It is also being played on radio programs nationwide. The song is available in iTunes and its music video is downloadable in youtube.

Ein Lied kann Menschen zusammenbringen. Musik ist ein transformatives Medium.

ABOUT NOEL CABANGON Noel Cabangon has written songs for the causes he believes in and matters close to his heart, infused with soul. He started singing in little known folk houses and bars to underground watering holes, and steadily made a name for himself in the local music scene. He has released several albums oriented toward social, political, and cultural issues. His advocacies include easing the plight of peasant farmers,

protection of human rights and conservation of the environment. His compositions Akoy Isang Mabuting Pilipino (I am a good Filipino citizen) and Tungo sa Pagbabago (Towards Change) were the favorite songs at campaign rallies for good governance during the Philippine presidential elections in 2010. Noel composed Akoy Malaya especially for FNF Philippines Its All About Freedom.

FREEDOMSPEECH

Die Geschichte unserer Freiheit geht heute weiter. Wie sie weitergeht, knnen wir selber entscheiden, sie wird nicht durch unsichtbare Hnde oder das Schicksal gelenkt. Vielmehr ist es eine Geschichte unseren eigenen Handlungen, eine Geschichte, wie wir unseren freien Willen nutzen um unser Schicksal als Volk zu bestimmen.

THE FREEDOM SPEECH ANSWERS THE QUESTION: ARE WE REALLY FREE ENOUGH?

under the care of Episcopalian priests. It was there in the mountains of Sagada where our first childlater on to be named Julia Andreawas conceived.

Inaugural Freedom Speech

By Budget and Management Secretary Florencio B. Abad Friedrich Naumann Foundation | 6 December 2011

Finally, the berdugo caught up with us, and we were transferred from one prison to another for interrogation and detention. My greatest fear at that time was that Julia would be born and raised apart from us. That she will never know how it is to be free. She was eventually born in a hospital in Manila, and was briefly separated from us when she was a year old. Later on, Ateneo was able to negotiate for our campus arrest not hospital arrestunder the care of the Jesuits. Dina and I stayed there for a little over a year until we were freed, on condition that we regularly report to Camp Aguinaldo about our whereabouts, and that I give up my work as a union organizer in favor of law school. We were luckier than most other victims of Martial Law. Many others were tortured and raped; were incarcerated in military camps or liquidated and their bodies never found. Quite a number of people, like our late Secretary General Evelio Javier and many other martyrs of the regime, were assassinated in broad daylight. Ours is just one story, one of the many individual stories of trial and triumph; of pain and relief; of death and rebirth;

that form part of the story of our countrys suffering under a repressive and profligate dictatorship, and of our eventual victory against it. These stories follow-through on our nations continuing story of freedom, beginning with our independence from foreign occupants. This story of our freedom continues today. It is a story not of contexts external to our control, not of invisible hands moving history, nor of fate. Rather, this is a story of the decisions and actions we take, of how we use our free will to determine our destiny as a people. Even as I was granted a conditional reprieve from the Marcos regime, I never accepted that I was being destined for silence. After my release from prison, I joined the Association of Foundations, doing some benign development work at day, and after work, I continued fighting the dictatorship. It was during that time when I met the young man who would become our President some 27 years later. But that is another story. The tipping points then occurred. Martial Law was cosmetically lifted. Ninoy Aquino, arriving from the US, was shot in broad daylight. Multitudes of outraged Filipinos attended his funeral. When Marcos cockily called for snap polls, the opposition rallied behind Ninoys housewife, Cory. It was time to hit the road once more, this time to campaign for Tita Cory.
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I begin this freedom speech by recounting the most un-free period of my life. That was during the period of Martial Rule. I landed in prison twice.

The first time was in 1978, after I took part in three protests against fraud in the Interim Batasang Pambansa elections. Our candidate, Ninoy Aquino, was campaigning from there. The second, in 1980, was when I was charged with conspiring to assassinate President Ferdinand Marcos. I never planned to put a bullet through Marcos heart: I was merely active in the anti-dictatorship campaign, through my work as a labor organizer, which, at one time, brought me to work with the legendary Alex Boncayao at Solid Mills. Before the dreaded secret police of Marcos was able to capture me, I was constantly on the run with my wife Dina. For days and months, we were on the lam, moving from one town to another, seeking refuge from relatives and friends. Fleeing north, we ended up in the Cordilleras,

And then she was cheated. And then Cardinal Sin called on the flock to support rebel soldiers holed up in Camps Aguinaldo and Crame. The image is now familiar: workers, students and nuns blocked tanks and platoons of soldiers with rosaries and flowers. Our collective action on EDSA reclaimed our rights and freedom. Our non-violent action forced the dictator to flee. With the assumption of President Cory Aquino into power, formal institutions of democracy were restored. Our civil and political rights were revived by the 1987 Constitution. Even with numerous coup attempts, our fledgling democratic set-up, imperfect as it was, prevailed. And finally, on June 30, 1992, power was peacefully transferred by President Cory Aquino to her successor. The story of People Powerthat saga of a people refusing to be cowed by despotism and greeddid not end with President Corys ascent to power. Furthermore, the 1986 revolt left us with some unfinished business. The important question we face today is this: are we really free enough? Let me define the problem this way: as a Liberal, I believe that our primordial essence as human beings is to be free: to have freedom not only to ones thoughts, but also to ones decisions; to participate in society in a productive way that benefits ones self and ones neighbors; to actualize ones own possibilities and dreams. Freedom must flourish. As Amartya Sen wrote in Development as Freedom: development requires the removal of major sources of un-freedom: poverty as well as tyranny, poor economic opportunities as well as systematic social deprivation, neglect of public facilities as well as intolerance or overactivity of repressive states. Perhaps the answer is obvious to us, especially to the more than 23 million Filipinos who are poor. With the prevalence of poverty in our country, many of our countrymen have been tempted to ask: is it better to be un-free? Perhaps, they have seenas we all have seenthat public institutions were captured by a few interests; that Congress has been the playground of the elite; that our Judiciary was never completely insulated from partisanship; that the Presidency has been the game of an ambitious and privileged few. Perhaps, they have seenas we all have seenthat the free market is accessible only to those few who control wealth; that regulators make decisions in favor of the dominant; that ordinary consumers and workers rights seem to be always trampled upon. Perhaps, they have seenas we all have seenhow poor suspects languish in jail because they cannot afford counsel; while those with wealth and influence get to choose the detention cell that suits them best, or could get a judgment faster than you say T.R.O.
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Have we made the best of our past 25 years since EDSAof the past 25 years that the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Liberty has been in our countryto win meaningful and substantial freedom? I dare say: unfortunately, no. This is because we have not been able to uproot and dismantle the same prevailing structures where a few wield political power and economic wealth in our society; and which have kept majority of our people in the shackles of poverty, dependence, and hopelessness.

Government has broken this social contract to nurture the people and to protect them from all forms of un-freedom through massive corruption, political illegitimacy, and rampant neglect of the peoples concerns, especially in the last 9 to 12 years. As an effect, the people, especially the poor, have been deprived of their freedom to dream. They have succumbed to apathy and hopelessness. They have accepted the present systems of un-freedom only to secure their day-to-day survival. Sooner or later, people had to again say tama na, sobra na, that they had to be reawakened. Unfortunately, this had to happen through death: the death of the beloved mother of our democracy, Corazon Aquino. Death, they say, is the ultimate freedom: it is absolute liberty from all pain of mortality. But the beauty of Tita Corys death is in how it gave life back to the inherent spirit of People Power in each of us. Her death caused the people to again yearn for the values that she embodied; values that had been absent in governance in recent years: humility, simplicity, and most of all, integrity. We, the people, thereafter sought for a successor to carry the torch of Tita Cory, someone to lead the way with the light of empowerment. They saw no other than his son, Noynoy.

The unprecedented election of Noynoy Aquino, a reluctant but popularly drafted presidential candidate, was People Power in action, but this time with a twist: it was waged not in the familiar yet extra-constitutional battleground that is EDSA, but in the treacherous and tricky terrain of electoral politics. As Noynoy heeded the peoples clamor for him to lead the nation, he crafted and published a Social Contract with the Filipino People: a social pact born out of peoples clamor for real change; and that continues to be his governments platform and development plan. This was his response to the peoples clamor for him to revive the historical continuum of People Power: from his father who offered his life and galvanized our people to action; to his mother, who restored and nurtured our democracy; then to Noynoy, tasked by our people to bring decency back to government so that it is capable of nurturing its people. At its core is the agenda to lift the nation from poverty through honest and effective governance. Or as we have said repeatedly since the campaign, Kung walang corrupt, walang mahirap. President Aquino knows that the urgent problems that our country facescorruption and povertyare much more complex than merely being technical or administrative issues. He knows that the problem is structural, worsened

Patronage is not merely an academic or theoretical issue. It is a problem that exists from as high as in the national leadership, as we have seen in the last nine to twelve years of massive corruption and betrayal of public trust; to as low as the local government level, where families who can promise to give their constituents financial assistance for KBLkasal, binyag or libingare the ones able to perpetuate their stay in public office. Indeed, patronage has weakened our institutions: that these have become unpredictable and susceptible to the whims of the patrons. In many instances, the patrons clout has been greater than that of government itself. Meanwhile, school buildings remain lacking and rural health centers dilapidated. Even the appointments of teachers, health workers and policemen have oftentimes been made on the basis of endorsement or even lobbying from the patrons. This setup breeds unjust relationship of dependence. It is a problem that oppresses people in exchange for some spoils. Many of our people, especially the poor, are in blood debt to their patrons for their daily survival. Clearly, the root of our sufferings lies in the structure of our political and economic relationships. But to address this fundamental problem, we have to resolve the issues that cloud our vision: that in all these years, government has succeeded in alienating itself from the people.

TOAST TO FREEDOM FNF Philippines Country Director Jules Maaten and LP Former Presidents Raul Daza and Butch Abad, who have been supporting the work of the Foundation since 1986 toast for FNFs 25 years in the country.

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by people losing trust in government due to unresolved problems of the past. He recognizes the link between the restoration of decency, integrity, and accountability in governanceincluding the struggle to put a closure on the many unresolved cases of abuse of power and the plunder of our nations wealthand putting the government back to the service of its people, especially the poor. This is where I express lament that some sectors including some of our alliesdo not seem to acknowledge this intimate link between the need to bring closure to years of abuse, and the urgent task to rebuild our dilapidated economy. Some say: Forget about Arroyo, concentrate on the economy. Or some even suggest: Respect the Supreme Court, regardless of whos at helm. I lament that some have viewed current issues from what I call a business-as usual lens, seeming to have forgotten the uniqueness of this Presidency: it was brought to power by a suffering and desperate people who want to dream again. And the President, from day one to this day, has not failed to acknowledge and nurture that. In other words, if Arroyo manages to flee the country, he would have already failed the people; and for him, that would have frustrated our peoples dream. It is this inspiration and bedrock of support from the people that enables President Aquino to be unwavering in his display of moral courage that we see today: a moral courage that allows us to confront head-on these lingering issues, so that we may finally begin to speak of grander

Noel Cabangon performs Akoy Malaya

The outstanding liberal projects were awarded on 06 Dec 2011.

This government dares to go after the highest of the highest in public office to eradicate corruption. The government shows more spine than anyone could have expected. And so does the Liberal Party. It makes me proud that our Foundation works with you and it makes me proud to be a liberal myself. DR. RAINER ADAM FNF Regional Director for Southeast and East Asia

ideals: of giving substance to our democracy, rule of law, and most of all, freedom. The deeper problem we face is patronage. As we rebuild the peoples trust, we must also pursue the deeper imperative of People Power: that is, the empowerment of our people. We see two dimensions of empowerment. The first is to free the poor from the shackles of political blood debt, by ensuring that governments efforts and resources benefit the poor in a direct, immediate, and substantial way. We are doing this through our complete package of social services: conditional cash transfers, coupled with huge investments in basic education, public health, and housing. At the same time, we want to build an inclusive economy that will provide equal opportunities to those who have been capacitated. The second imperative is to consolidate all forces of reform into a formidable political constituency that matches against those that resist change. The reform elements in government cannot succeed on their own. They need allies in the organized citizenry: in civil society, grassroots organizations, business, the academe, among others.

Friends, through the victory of President Noynoy Aquino, our country has gotten back on track on to the historical continuum of People Power. This is not to say, of course, that everything will automatically fall in their proper place. A story, after all, is something that does not merely happen: it is a narrative created through our actions and decisions. It is a story of us bringing our country to the next phase of the People Power story: to put closure to the past which has never been, and to finally take hold of our destiny. Almost three decades ago, Dina and I were budding new parents who were constantly on the run out of fear that our first daughter Julia may be born un-free. Today, we continue to be on the run: this time, rushing to Julias home at every opportunity we have to see our first grandchild, Emma. To me, Emma stands for everything that we have fought for all these years. And Emmas birth coincides with our renewed chance to bring People Power back on track. Because of this new government, a new opportunity is truly out there for her and for all of us: an opportunity to reclaim our freedom once again to dream. Thank you and good evening to all of you.
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The Liberal Project

representation in the budget process, and pushing for reforms in both the legislative and executive processes, thus ensuring that Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) become a priority of the government. House Bill No. 3773 An act institutionalizing the participation of bona fide civil society organizations (CSOs) in budget hearings and deliberations in congress, in national government agencies (NGAs) and the LGUs proposed by Rep. Erin Taada-- gives legitimate peoples organizations, the voice and representation in all deliberations of the budget of the government, both local and national. The bill seeks to promote utmost transparency and gives the people the rare opportunity and chance to see how peoples money is allocated and spent by the government. Yellow Boat Project, Zamboanga City is a national movement that provides yellow boats to kids who swim to school. It started with the belief that People Power is not just about changing bad leaders, but should also empower the people to become active nation-builders. SPECIAL AWARD The Department of Finances Pera ng Bayan was given special recognition for using the internet to encourage citizens participation in governance. www.perangbayan.com is a platform where citizens can send in their online reports of corruption, smuggling and tax evasion, anonymously or otherwise.With just a few clicks, every Filipino is given a chance to be heard and participate in the governments campaign for good governance. PEOPLES CHOICE AWARD Online voting was also held where 6,802 votes were gathered. The top two entries that garnered the most number of votes were:

The Liberal Project was launched to identify initiatives that promote the liberal values of participatory democracy, good governance, human rights, rule of law, free trade, property rights, and transparency and accountability. 32 entries were submitted where five projects were selected that overall, embody empowerment that leads to maximizing the benefits of freedom.
We are recognizing the programs of the local government units (LGUs) and the civil society and at the same time, acknowledging the national governments involvement in the hope that these projects can be institutionalized and replicated in a larger scale, said Dean Edna Co of the University of the Philippines National College of Public Administration and Governance (UP NCPAG), who chaired the jury with Miriam Grace Go, an investigative journalist from Newsbreak online magazine (now Rappler) and Lito Arlegue, Executive Director of the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD). OUTSTANDING LIBERAL PROJECTS The outstanding liberal projects for 2011 are: Enhanced Literacy Program, Tagum City, Davao del Norte deepens and sustains links with community-based literacy work aimed to foster literacy skills as a means of empowering communities and promoting socio-economic development and transformation, which contribute to the welfareof all.It has developed strategies to support peoples participation in development process. Platform Human Development 2010, United Nations (UN) Project allowed citizens from marginalized groups to have a voice in national development processes, such as the crafting of Philippine Development Plan, pushing peoples

Sustaining Teaching Excellence Program (STEP) Equity as the Big Picture: The Anti-Oppressive Pedagogy, UP Visayas (2,205 votes or 32% of the total votes) provides training-workshops for public school teachers and equips them with the relevant knowledge, skills and attitudes by which to conduct a truly democratic educational approach where respect for and acceptance of students diversity and pluralism, as well as protection of human rights, are given prime importance. Programs & Services to Empower Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), Carmona, Cavite (1,943 votes or 29% of the total votes) is the first local government unit-initiated comprehensive approach in transforming the lives of Persons With Disability through education, skills enhancement, health and wellness, sports and involvement in entrepreneurial activities which promotes of equal rights and opportunities, full participation, poverty-alleviation and social inclusion in the country.

Empowerment is the common theme that characterizes the liberal projects. They develop the knowledge, skills and abilities of people to control and shape their own destinies. As liberals, we always put premium on the empowerment of individuals. - CELITO ARLEGUE CALD Executive Director

Das Liberal Project wurde ins Leben gerufen um Initiativen anzuerkennen, die liberale Werte wie mitbestimmende Demokratie, gute Staatsfhrung, Menschenrechte, Rechtsstaatlichkeit, freien Handel, Eigentumsrechte, Transparenz und Verantwortlichkeit frdern.
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FNF Philippines organized various activities that included seminars and conferences discussing relevant topics like political party reforms and social media engagement. There were also political dialogues between liberal leaders, the highlight of which was the participation of a Liberal Party delegation in the Information Program in Strasbourg and Berlin.
Manila became the venue of the first Liberal International (LI) Congress in Asia where FNF Philippines co-organized Road to Manila, a series of forums that tackled human rights and free trade as run-up activities. The Ateneo Human Rights Center (AHRC), Philippine Economic Society (PES), and Foundation for Economic Freedom (FEF) were involved in these programs. Strengthening political party structures had also been a priority for FNF Philippines.There was the presentation of the study on Political Parties Performance by PODER of the Ateneo School of Government that was overwhelming attended by representatives from government and civil society organizations. The Liberal Caucus of Congressional Staff (LCCS) and the Liberal Youth were also successfully revived last year. There were also workshops on campaign strategies and an International Academy for Leadership (IAF) Replication Seminar on NGOs and Political Parties. The civil society was deeply engaged in FNF Philippines activities in 2011 especially as the country also celebrates the 25th anniversary of the People Power Revolution that ousted a dictator. Research remained pivotal in the Foundations work. With FNFs support, the contentious issue of the Reproductive Health Bill was documented online by the investigative magazine Newsbreak. A tweet conference also transpired where advocates and opponents alike exchanged real-time messages. The Foundation raised the publics level of awareness on the issue of freedom through its participation in the Mabuhay Germany exhibit. 3000 people visited the FNF booth. Finally, improving the state of law by pushing for good governance especially fighting corruption had been one of the main projects of the Foundation in the past year. The activities were carried out both with government agencies and NGOs, like Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG), Kaya Natin! Movement for Good Governance and Ethical Leadership, through exhibits and forums nationwide.
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Other Activities

Quick Facts & Staff Profile Freedom Wall

Stiftung Foundation fr die Freiheit for Freedom

Friedrich Naumann a German liberal politician who believed that civic education is a prerequisite for political participation

FNF President Dr. Wolfgang Gerhardt appended this to the Foundations name in 2007. It promotes the liberal values of participatory democracy, human rights and rule of law, free trade, and individual freedom. It organizes political dialogues, discussions on liberal issues and skills trainings. FNF has over 60 project countries around the world. It is linked with Germanys Free Democratic Party (FDP) and works with international liberal networks including Liberal International (LI), International Federation of Liberal Youth (IFLRY) and the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD).

Office Address: 4/F La Fuerza Plaza 2, 2241 Sabio St., Don Chino Roces Ave. Makati City 1231, Philippines Postal Address: MCPO Box 3196, Makati City 1271 Philippines Telephone: (63)(2) 8196086 | (63)(2) 8196087 Fax: (63)(2) 8196055 Mobile: +63917 LIBERAL (5423725) E-mail: liberal@fnst.org

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