After gaining independence in 1946, a bipartisan system existed in the Philippines: the Liberal Party (ruling in 1946-1954 and 1961-1965) and the Nationalist Party (in power in 1954-1961 and since 1965) were replaced in power. In 1972, political activity was banned by President Ferdinand Marcos, who declared a state of emergency, and in 1978 created a new ruling party, the Movement for a New Society. After the overthrow of the Marcos regime in 1986, the multi-party system was restored. However, the balance of political forces has changed.
Currently, the following political forces are active in the Philippines: "Strength of the People - Christian and Muslim Democrats" - a political coalition formed in 1992 as a bloc "People Power - National Union of Christian Democrats", to which the United Muslim Democrats of the Philippines party later joined ... She was in power in 1992-1998 (President Fidel Ramos), but her candidate was defeated in the 1998 presidential elections. She returned to power in 2001 when President Joseph Estrada was ousted from power and the powers of the head of state were transferred to Vice President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. In the 2004 elections, "Power of the People - KMD" headed the "Coalition of Truth and Experience for the Future" ("Four K") bloc, which won the presidential elections. The party has 93 seats in the House of Representatives and 7 seats in the Senate. Leaders - Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (President), F. Ramos, Jose de Venezia.
The Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC) is a conservative political organization founded prior to the 1992 elections. Since 2000, she has supported the government of Gloria Makanagal-Arroyo, joined the Four K coalition. Has 53 seats in the House of Representatives. Leaders - Eduardo Cohuangco, Frisco San Juan.
Liberal Party (LP) - formed in 1946. It is a member of the Liberal International, a member of the ruling coalition "Four K". Has 34 seats in the House of Representatives and 3 seats in the Senate. Leaders - Franklin Drilon, Jose Atienza.
The Nationalist Party is the oldest political party in the country, created in 1907 and leading the struggle for the independence of the Philippines. Takes a conservative position. Included in the ruling coalition "Four K". The leader is Manuel Villar.
The People's Reform Party (PPR) was formed before the 1992 elections to support the presidential candidacy of the former judge Maria Defensor-Santiago, famous for her fight against corruption. Included in the ruling coalition "Four K". In the 2004 elections, she won 1 of 12 seats in the Senate.
The Democratic Filipino Struggle (BDF) is a conservative party that took shape in 1988 as the mainstay of President Corazon Aquino (1986-1992). In 1992, the party was defeated in elections, although it retained influence in Congress. In 2003, she split into the factions of Edgaro Angara and Aquino - Panfilo Laxon. In the 2004 elections, the Angara faction led the opposition Coalition of United Filipinos. Laxon's faction acted independently. The party has 11 seats in the House of Representatives. In the 2004 elections, the Angara faction won 1 of 12 elected seats in the Senate.
The Party of the Philippine Masses (PFM) is a populist one, founded in the early 1990s by supporters of the famous actor Joseph Estrada (president of the country in 1998-2001). In 2001 she joined the opposition, in 2004 she entered the "United Filipinos Coalition", has 2 seats in the Senate. Leaders - Joseph Estrada, Juan Ponce Enrile.
The Philippine Democratic Party - Struggle is a centrist party founded in 1982. In 2004, she entered the opposition Coalition of United Filipinos and won 1 of 12 seats in the Senate. The leader is Aquilino Pimentel.
The Alliance of Hope is an opposition coalition formed for the 2004 elections by centrist parties that until 2003 supported President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. It included the Democratic Action Party (leader - Paul Roco), the Reform Party (leader - Renato de Villa) and the Primary Provincial Development Party (leader - Leto Osmenya).
Parties also operate legally: Movement "Rise, Philippines" (leader - Eduardo Villanueva), Party "One nation, one spirit" (leaders - Rodolfo Pajo, Eddie Gil), Movement for a new society (party of former supporters of F. Marcos), centrist Progressive Party, Green Party, leftist Party of Civil Action, Nation First (the legal branch of the Communist Party, formed in 1999), Workers 'Party, Trotskyist Revolutionary Workers' Party, etc.
The Filigtine Communist Party (CPF) is a Maoist one, founded in 1968 by splinter groups from the pro-Soviet Communist Party (created in 1930). Acts under the slogans of Marxism-Leninism, leads an insurrectionary armed struggle to overthrow the existing regime of the Philippines. He heads the "New People's Army", which has up to 11 thousand soldiers and operates mainly on the island of Luzon.
The official name is the Republic of the Philippines (Republika сg Pilipinas, Republic of the Philippines). Located on 7107 islands of the Philippine archipelago southeast of the Eurasian continent. The area is 300.8 thousand km2, the population is 84.5 million people. State language - Filipino; official languages are Filipino and English. The capital is Greater Manila, since 1975 it consists of Manila proper and 16 satellite cities with a population of 9.2 million people. (2002). State holiday - Independence Day on June 12 (since 1970). The monetary unit is the peso (equal to 100 centavos). The Philippines claims ownership of 8 islands in the Spratly archipelago in the South China Sea.
Member of the UN (since 1945) and its committees and organizations, as well as the IMF, IBRD, APEC, ASEAN (1967), etc.
Philippines landmarks
Geography of the Philippines
Located between 21 ° 25 'and 4 ° 23' north latitude and 116 ° 40 'and 127 ° east longitude. They are washed by the waters of the Pacific Ocean and the South China Sea. In 100 km from the archipelago in the Pacific Ocean there is the Philippine Trench with a depth of 10 789 m. The coastline is approx. 18 thousand km is indented, there are few good harbors. The largest islands are Luzon (105 thousand km2) and Mindanao (95 thousand km2). All maritime borders: with Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia and the island of Taiwan. More than 3/4 of the territory of the Philippines is mountains and hills. The largest mountain system is the Central Cordillera (with the highest point at 2934 m) on the island of Luzon. The highest point in the Philippines is the Apo volcano (2954 m) on the island of Mindanao. Lowland - narrow strips along coasts or along the course of rivers. The largest plains are the Central, or Manila, on the island of Luzon and Cotabato on the island of Mindanao. There are few lakes, the largest are Laguna de Bai, Taal and Lanao. St. 400 rivers, mostly small, they are rapids and stormy; the largest - Cotabato (550 km) and Kagayan (350 km) are navigable in the lower reaches. 5 inter-island seas - Sibuyan, Samar, Visayan, Kamote and Mindanao (the last is the deepest - 1975 m). Laterite soils prevail. Among 10 thousand plant species, more than 9 thousand are higher, 40% of the species are endemic, 5.5 million hectares are covered with forest. The fauna is peculiar: a large percentage of endemics, large mammals are absent, more than 450 bird species. The seas are rich in fish - more than 2 thousand species; from some shells mother-of-pearl and pearls are obtained. Large deposits of copper ore (probable reserves in metal are 9.2 million tons), chromite (10-15 million tons), gold-bearing ore (14 million tons), iron (590 million tons), nickel (3 million tons in metal). Fuel and energy resources do not meet the country's needs, oil is imported. The climate is tropical monsoon type. The annual precipitation is from 1000 to 4500 mm, the annual air temperature is approx. + 27 ° С with an oscillation amplitude of 2-4 ° С. The archipelago is prone to typhoons.
Population of the Philippines
Since the 1970s. the population doubled, and the annual growth rate fell from 2.9% to 1.1%. Child mortality 31 people. per 1000 newborns (2001). 59% of the total population lives in cities. There are slightly more men than women. Average life expectancy is 69 years. The population is young. Almost 95% of the population over 15 years old is literate. More than ½ Filipinos are fluent in English.
The population is multi-ethnic - up to 100 ethnic groups; large - Bisayans (1/3 of the population), Tagals (1/4 of the population; play a leading role in the life of the country), Ilokans, Bikols. The indigenous population is homogeneous anthropologically, belongs to the South Asian variety of the Mongoloid race, speaks almost 100 related languages (the Philippine group of the western branch of the Austronesian language family). Of the small peoples, the Aeta, or Negritos, stand out - the descendants of the Negro-Australoid aborigines of the equatorial race. The non-indigenous population is dominated by the Chinese. According to the Constitution, the church is separated from the state, and the freedom of religion is confirmed. The overwhelming majority of the population is Christians, including St. 80% are Catholics (they were converted to Catholicism by the Spaniards in the 17th century), more than 5% are Protestants, 5-6% are Muslims, approx. 2% - animists, etc.
History of the Philippines
From antiquity to the beginning of European expansion (last quarter of the 16th century), the Philippines is a peripheral part of the cultural and historical Malay-Indonesian area. Since the 1580s. to the end. 1890s The Philippines is a colony of Spain, freed from colonial dependence as a result of the national revolution of 1896-98. With the victory of the rebels in 1898, the First Independent Republic was formed and the democratic Constitution of 1898 was adopted. In the same year, under the terms of the Paris Peace Treaty, which ended the Spanish-American War of 1898, the Philippines as a colony ceded to the United States. From 1901 and almost the entire 1st half. 20th century The Philippines is a colony of the United States, which proclaimed a liberal course for preparing Filipinos for self-government (in particular, they introduced a system of elections and parties since 1907). Since 1934, the United States has introduced an autonomy regime in the Philippines - a 10-year "transition period" before full sovereignty. In 1935, the Constitution was adopted, and the Filipino President M. Quezon (1935–44) was elected. In 1941-45, the Philippines survived the Japanese occupation. After the expulsion of the occupiers (spring 1945) - the beginning of decolonization. In April 1946 - the election of the first president of the independent Philippines - M. Rojas (1946-48), a protege of the United States, an extremely conservative politician. The American model of decolonization, which in many ways infringed upon the sovereignty of the Philippines, did not suit most Filipinos. Social tension resulted in the bloody peasant war of 1948-53, led by the communists. The decisive role in the defeat of the uprising was played by R. Magsajsay, since 1950 - the Minister of Defense, then the President of the Philippines (1954-57). All R. 1950s - mid. 60s in the Philippines, a kind of façade "oligarchic" democracy was established (real power was in the hands of several landowning clans that manipulated democratic laws and institutions). Since 1965, the President of the Philippines, F. Marcos, was re-elected in 1969. In September 1972, he declared a state of emergency in the Philippines, establishing a regime of personal power. His plans for an accelerated modernization were not implemented due to the growth of corruption, Cronism, and the crisis in the economy (the turn of the 1970s-1980s). In February 1986, the dictatorship was destroyed as a result of mass bloodless actions in Manila by opponents of authoritarianism (the "people's power" revolution). For the first time in the history of the Philippines, a woman became president - K. Aquino (1986-92). A democratic constitution was adopted in 1987. Otherwise, the economic crisis continued to deepen and destabilization continued. F. Ramos (1992-98), the only post-authoritarian leader who managed to stabilize the situation, won the 1992 elections. In contrast to the reformer Ramos, the populist, former film actor J. Estrada, who was convicted of corruption and removed from power in 2000 (the revolution "power of the people-2"), won the elections in 1998. Since January 2001, the President of the Philippines is again a woman politician G. Macapagal-Arroyo. Her government received a heavy legacy from J. Estrada, and so far attempts to improve the economy and resume the course of modernization are ineffective.
Government and political system of the Philippines
The Philippines is a democratic unitary state, a republic with a presidential form of government. The Constitution adopted in 1987 is in force. Administratively, the Philippines is divided into provinces (73), united in 17 administrative and economic regions, municipalities, barangai (rural districts). Large provinces: Pampanga, Rizal, Quezon, Ilocos (North and South), Cebu, Iloilo, Magindanao, etc. Major cities: Greater Manila, Davao, Cebu, Iloilo, etc.
The principles of public administration are based on the election of government bodies and the division of its branches - legislative, executive, judicial. The highest legislative body is the bicameral congress. The upper house is the Senate (24 senators aged at least 35), elected for 6 years with midterm elections every 3 years and the right to be re-elected for a second term. The head of the upper house is the president of the senate, who is elected by the senators. The House of Representatives (head - speaker) is elected for 3 years, consisting of no more than 250 deputies (from the age of 25) with the right to be re-elected for 3 terms. The President of the Philippines has the supreme executive power (age for election is at least 40 years old, residence in the Philippines for at least 10 years before the elections). The president (and with him the vice president) is elected for 6 years without the right to be re-elected for a second term. At the same time, he is the head of state, government (forms a cabinet responsible to him), the supreme commander. The president cannot dissolve parliament, but has veto power when bills are passed through Congress. In extreme situations, the president has the right to declare a state of emergency for a period limited by Congress.
The Philippines has universal suffrage for all citizens over the age of 18. The electoral system of the Philippines is of a mixed type, including elements of the majoritarian system (elections of the president - vice president, as well as senators by direct secret ballot of the general Filipino electorate) and a modified proportional system. Elements of the latter are present in elections to the lower house (the principle of proportional representation in voting by constituencies and party lists). The persistence of stereotypes of traditional political culture in the political system of the Philippines (clannishness in politics, the system of paternalistic vertical ties, etc.) negatively affects the electoral system. The Philippines is one of the developing countries with a consistently high level of violations of the electoral law - the practice of trading votes, falsifying ballots, pressure from above on the electorate, outbreaks of open violence, etc.
Prominent presidents: President of the autonomous Philippines - M. Quezon (1935-44), known for a unique phenomenon of mass popularity, combined with a tough style of government, pro-Americanism and anti-communism; F. Marcos (1965-86), who failed the modernization program, but deserves attention by reorienting the one-sided pro-American foreign policy of the Philippines to expand cooperation and partnership with Asian states; F. Ramos (1992-98), a pragmatist and intellectual who has achieved success in economic modernization and stabilization of society without breaking democratic structures and rule of law.
Local governments - provincial governors, city mayors, provincial legislative assemblies, municipal councils - are formed on the basis of the same electoral system as the highest authorities. At the local level, the principles of decentralized management have been introduced, the authorities have been given broad powers in the field of budgetary, tax policy, etc. Their activities are controlled by Congress (a source of corruption among both Congressmen and local leaders).
The Philippines is characterized by an unformed multiparty system that includes fragile conglomerates of traditional parties (associations around leaders, not programs). Two formerly leading parties - the Nationalists (founded in 1907) and the Liberal (founded in 1946) - failed to consolidate after being dispersed during the years of authoritarianism; at present, these are weak formations and factions in the composition of both pro-government and opposition coalitions and blocs. The pro-presidential coalition "Lakas" ("Power of the People") unites several parties and blocs, incl. such as the "National Union of Christian Democrats", "Struggle for Filipino Democracy", "Provincial Development Party" and others. Opponents of "Lakas" - "Party of the masses" of the ex-president of Estrada, "People's Party of Reforms" and others. Left flank of the opposition - the legal "Party of Workers" (founded in 2001) with a program of peaceful forms of struggle for the interests of the working people. Left radical illegal, operating from the end. 1960s Communist Party of the Philippines (left), leads the armed guerrilla of the New People's Army and is a member of the National Democratic Front.
Leading business organizations: Philippines Chambers of Industry and Commerce; Federation of Philippine-China Chambers of Commerce and Industry.
The active elements of civil society are non-governmental organizations (NGOs), their development is encouraged by the state, in particular, in the form of financial support. Areas of NGO activity - environmental protection, work to improve the lives of peasants, etc. They participate in politics: in elections and as organizers of mass peaceful demonstrations with a pro- and anti-government orientation. Anti-globalization organizations are at the stage of formation, adhere to the tactics of non-violent actions. Major NGOs in the Philippines: Village Reform Movement, Green Forum and others.
The main tasks in the field of domestic policy of the Philippines are the implementation of economic modernization as the basis for stabilizing society; consolidation of the political elite around the presidential reform program, suppression of the opposition, especially its extremist currents. None of these tasks are performed. Criticism of President Arroyo for his indecision in the fight against corruption, Crownism, inability to solve the problem of poverty and eliminate the hotbed of violence in the Muslim South comes not only from her opponents, but also from his inner circle (representatives of the middle class, the leadership of the Catholic Church, the military elite). The internal political state of the Philippines remains uncertain and unstable.
The formation of the foreign policy of the Philippines and the adoption of foreign policy decisions are concentrated in the hands of the president (maximum powers), the Philippine Foreign Ministry, its head (often at the same time the vice president), the Security Council, and the National Intelligence Coordination Agency. The 1987 Constitution strengthened the role of the Congress in shaping the foreign policy course (international agreements enter into force only after they are ratified by 2/3 of the members of the Senate). Since the presidency of Marcos, the foreign policy of the Philippines has been based on subjectivity in international relations, the priority of ensuring national interests, independence and multilateralism of diplomacy. With the multipolar system of foreign policy relations of the Philippines, special attention is paid to active equal participation in regional affairs and new integration processes in the SEVA region. At the same time, the political elite of the Philippines never faced the question of giving up the priority of relations with the United States (weakened in the early 1990s after the withdrawal of American military bases from the Philippines) as a guarantor of regional and national security. Under the Arroyo government, the US military presence in the archipelago has been restored, so far in a format that does not violate the Philippine Constitution. Since the United States has incorporated the Philippines into an international terrorism zone, Arroyo has brought in American military advisers and counterterrorism experts to assist local forces in operations against Muslim separatists. The strengthening of pro-Americanism in the foreign policy of the Philippines worries their ASEAN partners (especially Muslim countries) and causes an increase in anti-Americanism among Filipinos, who fear the possibility of direct American participation in military operations (in violation of the Constitution). Meanwhile, the Muslim South is still far from reconciliation. One of the reasons is the low professionalism and outdated technical equipment of the Philippine army, the weakest in the ASEAN countries. The army in the Philippines is regular, formed partly on the basis of universal conscription (from the age of 20), partly from persons who are hired for 3 years under contracts. Consists of the Ground Forces, the Air Force and the Navy. The total number is less than 200 thousand people. The Constitution fixes the priority of civilian power over the Armed Forces, the military cannot engage in business and politics (except for participation in elections). But among part of the officer corps, dissatisfaction with the ineffectiveness of state policy is brewing, so attempts at military conspiracies and rebellions are not ruled out (such precedents have already happened during the presidency of K. Aquino).
The Philippines has diplomatic relations with the Russian Federation (established with the USSR in 1976).
Philippines Economy
The Philippines is one of the five most advanced economies in Southeast Asia, known as the Second Wave Asian Tigers. The economic policy of all governments of the period of independence reflected the nature of the political regime, for example, authoritarian under F. Marcos, “new democracy” under K. Aquino, F. Ramos, G. Arroyo. The Philippines, later than other states of the "five" (it includes, in addition to the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia), began to modernize the economy. The country suffered several serious economic and socio-political crises, which greatly weakened the economy and held back its modernization. Since 2000, the negative impact on the Philippines of the recession in the world economy, especially in the United States, and the aggravation of the socio-political situation in the country itself, incl. separatist armed uprisings in Muslim areas in the South. The restructuring of the economy is hindered by the corrupt bureaucracy and the management of the so-called. kroni, or "buddies". To a large extent, important economic reforms remain on paper.
Since the 1970s. The Philippines began to lag behind the rest of the more economically developed countries of Southeast Asia in terms of economic growth. In 2003, the rate of economic growth increased to 4.5%, and the volume of GDP - up to 80 billion US dollars.
The share of personal consumption in GDP consumption is the highest: in 2001 it amounted to 2,561.2 billion pesos, 5.8 times exceeding government spending and 4.1 times more than gross savings. The gross national income per capita in 2001 was US $ 1,050, and more than 1/4 of the population was below the poverty line. Most of this group is in rural areas. Sharp inequality in income distribution remains an acute problem. Inflation rate 4.5% (2003).
3/4 of the labor force, or 32.5 million people, was the labor force, incl. 29.4 million were employed and 3.1 million were unemployed. With an increase in the technological level of production, the quality of labor indicators changes - the number of qualified specialists is growing. Labor legislation is in effect from the end. 1980s and applies only to a minority of the labor force - members of trade unions. It defines the questions wages, including minimums and allowances, working hours, etc. Pensions and other benefits are provided by two insurance organizations, unemployment assistance is provided exclusively by charitable organizations.
The sectoral structure of GDP (1981 and 2001,%): industry 39.2 and 31.2, agriculture 24.9 and 15.2, services 35.9 and 53.6.
In industry, the greatest changes in the technical level took place in the largest group of industries - manufacturing. But its share (like that of the entire industrial sector) fell to 22.4% of GDP in 2001; the share of construction increased to 5.4%, utilities to 3%, and mining fell to 0.2%. The structure of the manufacturing industry is changing most noticeably due to an increase in the production of high-tech products for export.
In agriculture, the most backward sector of GDP, 2/3 of the cost falls on agriculture, 1/3 - on the rest of the sectors - livestock, poultry, fishing and forestry. Rice and corn, vegetables and fruits are mainly grown for the local market, but there is not enough food.
The largest branch of the service sector is trade, which accounted for 14.6% of GDP in 2001, followed by personal and public services - 11.7% and 9.9%, respectively, and other services (real estate transactions, transport, communications, warehouse economy and financial transactions) - 17.4%. Trade, both in value and in terms of the number of employees, prevails among other services. Wholesale prices are growing more slowly than consumer prices - in 2001 they increased to 134.7 points against 1995 = 100, and consumer prices - up to 149.6 points.
In the Philippines, an island and mountainous country, an important place is occupied by the transportation of passengers and goods by road and shipping. There are few railways. Air traffic is poorly developed. The communication system - telephone, telegraph and telex - does not meet the needs of the population for its services. In terms of the development of foreign tourism - the income received from it and the number of tourists - the Philippines lags far behind the most economically advanced states of Southeast Asia. In 2002, the number of tourists from the USA, Japan, China, EU, Australia and other countries was approx. 3 million people
The central bank, established in 1949, administers and controls the credit and financial system. It manages gold and foreign exchange reserves, maintains the peso exchange rate, carries out foreign exchange transactions, controls the operations of commercial banks and performs other functions. The credit and financial system is dominated by commercial banks. The volume of resources of development banks, savings and agricultural, insurance is much less. Usury persisted in rural areas. Domestic and foreign loans and credits are one of the main forms of financing the economic development of the Philippines. The national capital market is underdeveloped. The role of stock exchanges (Manila, Makati, Metropolitan) in raising capital remains insignificant. The government makes extensive use of state loans to cover the state budget deficit. External loans lead to an increase in external debt, which in 2001 amounted to 73.3%, or 2/3 of GDP with foreign exchange reserves of USD 13.44 billion and gold reserves of USD 2.2 billion, or 4 times higher their. Net foreign exchange reserves as of May 2003 were $ 12.5 billion.
The current monetary system was introduced with the creation of a central bank, which is assigned the right to control money circulation and the monopoly right to issue money against the security of foreign exchange reserves, commercial bills of exchange, government securities, etc. Deposit money prevails in the structure of money circulation. By the beginning. 2002 of 2,139.0 billion pesos in circulation, they accounted for 1,746.8 billion pesos, cash - 392.25 billion.
In public finance, a special place is occupied by the state budget, the basis of which is the central budget. Local budgets are financed from it. The bulk of the revenue comes from tax revenue. Expenditures go mainly to finance social and economic development. The state budget for the most part is reduced to a deficit, especially from the end. 1990s Revenues in 2001 amounted to 561.9 billion pesos, expenses - 706.4 billion, i.e. the deficit accounted for nearly 150 billion pesos. In 2002, it increased to over 200 billion pesos, or 3.3% of GDP. In 2003, it was expected to grow to 4.7% of GDP. The use of loans from international financial institutions and individual states to cover the deficit, in addition to loans from central and commercial banks, leads to an increase in external debt.
Foreign economic relations of the Philippines are focused on the United States, Japan, China (including Hong Kong), the EU countries, Australia and, to a lesser extent, on the countries of Southeast Asia. Foreign direct investment comes primarily from US and Japanese multinationals. After the 1997-98 crisis, they dropped significantly. Aid (loans and credits) is provided by international financial institutions - the IMF, the World Bank Group, the ADB, as well as individual governments and private institutions.
Foreign trade growth rates outstrip GDP growth rates. In foreign trade relations (goods and services) of the Philippines, trade with the USA, Japan, China, the EU countries, Australia prevails, and from the Southeast Asian countries - with Singapore. The export of goods and services (in 2002 it was equal to USD 35.2 billion, or almost half of the country's GDP) was dominated by the export of goods. From ser. 1980s The first place in merchandise exports is occupied by electronics components: in 2001, they accounted for 16.8 billion of US $ 31.2 billion. Among the traditional exports, the largest items are: coconut products, abacus fiber, raw sugar, copper concentrates ... Merchandise imports in 2002 were $ 35.5 billion; half of its cost accounted for capital equipment and 1/10 - for fuel and energy raw materials, mainly oil. The rest of the import was dominated by food (grain).
As a result of the 1997-98 monetary and financial crisis, the national currency was seriously devalued. The peso exchange rate against the US dollar has significantly exceeded the pre-crisis level. $ 1 equals 53.5 pesos (June 2003).
Science and culture of the Philippines
In the field of science, the National Research Council of the Philippines and the National Science Administration are the most important coordinating centers. From ser. 1970s the Philippine Center for Basic Research at the University of the Philippines operates, coordinating the scientific activities of various universities and other scientific institutions. The center participates in the development of state programs for the development of science. The main sources of funding for science are the state budget and assistance from the governments of individual countries and international organizations. Practical research is carried out mainly in large corporations. Leading universities - the State University of the Philippines, private - St. Thomas University, Manila Ateneo, Silliman University. Science lacks funds to finance it.
Education is directed by the Ministry of Education and Culture. State institutions of higher education are governed by Councils of Regents. Primary education is public, compulsory and free. The secondary school is 95% private, the higher school is 80%. Lack of state funding for the education system hinders its development. Nearly 84% of government spending on education goes to primary school, approx. 15% - in the middle and 1% - in the higher. In 2002, there were about 15 million children aged 7-12 in primary school, 6 million in secondary, and St. 2.5 million
For a long period (almost 400 years), the Philippines was the object of Westernization, which had a deep influence on the development of spiritual culture, in which alien cultural values brought from the West were partially rejected, partially absorbed by the Filipinos in accordance with their worldview and aesthetic experience. The modern spiritual culture of the Philippines is marked by the growth of "cultural nationalism", the search for identity and cultural self-identification of the Filipinos. The Philippine Constitution defines national culture as “unity in diversity”. The state encourages freedom of creativity, supports cultural figures and creative associations through a system of grants, scholarships, etc. outside the country. His literary works and journalism had a decisive influence on the development of the national identity of the Filipinos, although he wrote mainly in Spanish. Modern Filipino literature is rich in names, genres, trends. In terms of the large scale and depth of the subject matter, the highly artistic style, the English-language and Tagalog-language literature stands out (literature in regional languages is also developing). Many works of writers and poets writing in English and Tagalog are published in the USA and Europe, including Russia. Major names in English-language prose are N.V. Gonzalez, Nick Joaquin, poets H. Lansang Jr., R. Tinio, F. Cruz and many others. The largest figure in Tagalog-language literature is the poet and short story writer A.V. Hernandez (1903-70), on whose works generations of modern writers were brought up. The Spaniards also noted the unusual talent of the Filipinos in the visual arts, their special sense of color (colors of the tropics). Visual arts of the Philippines 20th century to this day, it absorbs a variety of influences: from academism, realism, impressionism, abstractionism, all sorts of modern avant-garde movements to a kind of Filipino primitivism. The most famous names in the fine arts of the Philippines: artists K. Francisco, V. Manansala, A. Luz, Anita Magsaysai-Ho, sculptors N. Abueva, S. Saprid, etc. The history of the country is reflected in the architecture of Philippine cities: each era has left its symbols (Spanish Baroque of the 16-17th centuries, neoclassicism of the early 20th century, constructivism of the 1930s, modern multi-storey buildings of business districts, for example, Makati in Greater Manila). The most famous Filipino architects of the 1970s and 90s. - L. Loksin, S. Konsio.
August 2010
GENERAL COUNTRY INFORMATION.
Filipinos often refer to their nation as "a fire-water hybrid." “What do you want from us? For almost four hundred years we lived in a Spanish monastery and half a century in Hollywood. Our ancestors gave us an open mind, the Chinese gave us restraint, the Spaniards gave us fiesta, the Americans got a taste for business. Well, we inherited love of life and dignity from our ancestors. "
REPUBLIC OF PHILIPPINES.
Philippines- a presidential republic with a bicameral congress and an independent judiciary. |
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He served as Mayor of Davao City on the island of Mindanao for 7 terms, for a total of over 22 years. He was also the vice-mayor of the city and a member of the Congress of the Philippines. |
Rodrigo Duterte was born on March 28, 1945 on the island of Leyte in the city of Maasine (South Leyte province) in the family of Vicente Duterte, the governor of the Davao province, and Soledad Roa, a school teacher and public figure. The parents are from the Cebuano people, the maternal grandfather is a Chinese migrant from Fujian. Duterte, nicknamed "The Executioner" by Time magazine, has been repeatedly criticized by human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, for supporting the execution of criminals without trial, allegedly by "Davao death squads." In April 2009, in a report to the 11th session of the UN General Assembly it was said; "Mayor Davao did nothing to prevent these killings, and his public comments make it seem like he supports them." According to a report by Human Rights Watch, in 2001-2002, Duterte named a number of criminals on radio and television programs, some of whom were later killed. In July 2005, at a summit dedicated to the fight against crime, the politician said: "Rapid executions of criminals remain the most effective way to combat kidnapping and drug trafficking." In 2015, Duterte confirmed the existence of a connection between him and the murders of criminals without trial in Davao, and also said that if he became president, he would execute up to one hundred thousand criminals. |
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PHILIPPINE ARCHIPELAGO.
The Philippines is a tropical archipelago with 7107 islands located in Southeast Asia. The length of the archipelago is about 800 km from east to west and about 1900 km from north to south. The total area of the islands is 300 thousand km. The largest islands: Luzon - the largest - in the north and Mindanao - the second largest island with 400 adjacent small islands in the south. In between, the Visayas is a group of over 6,000 islands including Panay, Leyte, Samar, Cebu and Bohol, but many of them don't even have a name. Palawan is the largest island in the west.
The islands are washed by the waters of the Pacific Ocean, the South China Sea, the Sulawesi Sea, from the north the Philippines are separated from Taiwan by the Bashi Strait.
To make it easier to navigate, here you can find any maps of the Philippines, from historical to modern in the country, regions, cities. PHILIPPINES MAP COLLECTION >>>
POPULATION.
As of July 2010 The Philippines has a population of 99.9 million and is ranked 12th in the world.
Urban population 68% (data for 2002)
Annual population growth - 1.9%
The population density is 272 people per 1 sq. km
CAPITAL OF THE PHILIPPINES.
MANILA- the largest city in the Philippines. Located on an island Luzon, at the confluence of the Pasig River into Manila Bay South China Sea... The city was founded on June 24, 1571 by Lopez de Legazpi. On the southern bank of the Pasig River is the oldest part of the city - the district - Intramuros(literally "surrounded by walls") It was built by the Spaniards in 1571, It was inhabited mainly by Hispanic-speaking families. During the Second World War, it was destroyed, but was later rebuilt. It still retains some examples of old Spanish architecture. First of all, it is a fortress wall, the construction of which began in 1590. The entrance to the Fortress of Santiago brings to life the memory of the Spanish presence. Its modern population is about 5 thousand people.
In 1595 Manila became the capital of all Philippine archipelago as well as the center of the province, which originally occupied almost all of Luzon.
Throughout its history, Manila has experienced many wars, resulting in the destruction of many architectural, historical and cultural monuments. Now Manila is a large cultural center, where several universities are concentrated.
Economic, political, cultural center, the capital of the state. Population 1,660,714 (2007) With 12,285,000 suburbs (2005) Is one of the cities with the highest population density in the world.
LANGUAGE.
The country has two official languages - Pilipino (based on Tagalog) and English. Spanish and Chinese are also widespread. The Spanish language has been in the Philippines for over three centuries. In and around Manila, the main language is Taglish (a mixture of Tagalog and English).
Pilipino (tagalo)- eight main dialects spoken by most Filipinos: Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocan, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango and Pangasinense.
The Filipino language is the mother tongue that is used to communicate communication between ethnic groups. There are about 76 to 78 major language groups, with over 500 dialects.
English language- gained its distribution during the American occupation since 1899 after the Spanish-American War. It is widely used today. It is taught in schools and is also the language of instruction in higher educational institutions
The Philippines is currently the third largest English speaking country in the world.
Literacy- 93% (2000 census).
Ethnic composition- Tagaly 28.1%, Sebuyano 13.1%, Ilokano 9%, Binisaya 7.6%, Heigayon 7.5%, Bicol 6%, Varai 3.4%, other 25.3% (according to the 2000 census) ...
EDUCATION SYSTEM.
The system of free school education, introduced by the Spanish in 1863, was supplemented by the College of Education and the Philippine State University, created by the US government. Throughout the period of the country's political dependence on the United States and until the mid-1970s, spending on education was the largest item in the government budget of the Philippines. In 1972, the reform of the education system began in order to bring it in line with modern requirements. In the new curricula, special attention was paid to vocational and labor education. In addition to English, teaching could now be conducted in the Pilipino (Tagalog) language, and Arabic was allowed to be used on the island of Mindanao. In 1990, more than 90% of the country's population over the age of 14 were literate.
The duration of education in primary school is 6 years, and in secondary school and college - 4 years. Secondary and higher education in the Philippines is obtained mainly in private educational institutions. The higher education system in the Philippines follows the American model. It can be obtained free of charge from public universities and colleges, as well as from teacher training or technical schools. About a third of all private educational institutions are under the patronage of the Roman Catholic Church, and about 10% are associated with other religious organizations. Higher education institutions operate in almost all provinces, but most of them are located in Greater Manila. The State University of the Philippines at Quezon City, opened in 1908, has a large number of faculties and colleges. The Catholic University of Santo Tomas (founded in 1611), the Far Eastern University in Manila, the University of Manila, Adamson University, the Athenaeum University, the Philippine Women's University, and the University of Mindanao in Maravi City also enjoy prestige. American missionaries founded Sillimanan University in Dumaguete and Central Philippine University in Iloilo.
CONFESSIONAL COMPOSITION OF THE POPULATION.
RELIGION.
Historically, the Philippines has united the two great religions of the world - Christianity and Islam.
Islam- was introduced in the XIV century after the expansion of trade relations with the Arabs in Southeast Asia. Currently, Islam is practiced mainly in the southern regions of the country.
Christianity–In the 16th century with the arrival of Fernand Magellan in 1521. the Spanish brought Christianity (of the Roman Catholic faith) to the Philippines. At least 83% of the total population belongs to the Roman Catholic Church.
Catholics – 80.9%
Protestants – 9.6%
Islam - 4,6%
Philippine Independent Church - 2,6%
Church of christ- 2.3% (Iglesia ni Cristo, INC, formerly Iglesia ni Kristo) is the largest independent Philippine church. Founded in 1914 by Felix Manalo)
CHRISTIAN PEOPLES- mixed marriages and internal migrations have significantly softened the previous differences between Christian ethnic groups over the years. The name of each of them, with the exception of a few cases, corresponds to the language used. The Tagals, who live in the central and southern parts of Luzon Island, predominate in Greater Manila and make up about a quarter of the population of the Philippines.
Cebuano dominates the islands of Cebu, Bohol, in the east of Negros, in the west of Leyte, as well as in the coastal regions of Mindanao. The Ilokans (Ilokans), who initially gravitated towards the northern part of Luzon Island, later migrated en masse to the central regions of this island or moved to the United States. Hiligainons (Ilongos) live on Panay Island, as well as in the west of Negros Island and in the south of Mindoro Island, i.e. in the main sugar cane growing areas. Many Ilongos moved to the island of Mindanao, where they came into conflict with its Muslim population.
Bicol is considered to be of southeastern Luzon and the surrounding islands. The main part of the bisaya (visaya) is concentrated in the eastern Visayas, Samar Island and in the east of Leyte Island. Pampangans live in central Luzon (mainly in the province of Pampanga), and pangasinans live in the coastal strip of Lingaen Bay on Luzon Island, from where they spread to the interior of the island.
The family is considered the basic unit of society. Numerous relatives - usually up to four cousins - form the inner circle of every Filipino. Among relatives, mutual assistance and mutual responsibility are developed. The conclusion of kindred marriages is rarely allowed, and the expansion of the circle of "relatives" often occurs through spiritual parents who participate in the Catholic rite of baptism of a child. Godparents are sometimes no less important in the life of a Filipino than the closest relatives.
A woman takes care of the children and the household, controls the family budget, and sometimes can be the main breadwinner of the family. The fairer sex is involved in politics and business, acquire various professions. Women generally receive lower wages for comparable jobs. Divorce and abortion are prohibited.
Many local Christians believe that any relationship should be rewarding and therefore conflict and disagreement should be avoided. In their opinion, in order to achieve happiness and success in life, a person needs to show patience, endurance and even go through suffering. The most important life task of any Filipino Christian is to adhere to the utang na loob principle: after accepting a voluntary service or help from someone, a moral obligation arises to fulfill a reciprocal request - a kind of debt that cannot be returned with money.
Filipino Christians generally believe in the existence of spirits, witches and the power of all kinds of magic spells. In villages, sick people often resort to the help of local healers. Community life for the villagers is shaped around the church calendar, the annual patron saint's holiday, the local school's cultural program, and celebrations such as infant baptisms and newlyweds.
MUSLIM POPULATIONS- adherents of Islam are concentrated mainly in the southern part of the island of Mindanao and in the Sulu archipelago. In total, there are about a dozen different Muslim peoples in the country, of which the most numerous are Magindanao, as well as Sulu (Tausog), Maranao and Samal. Sulu, who live in the archipelago of the same name (mainly on the island of Holo), were the first to convert to Islam. Maranao ("lake people") settled on the shores of Lake Lanao on the island of Mindanao. Magindanao settled on the plains of North Cotabato in the same Mindanao. The artisans of Maranao and Magindanao are famous for their copper and bronze wares. The southern part of the Sulu archipelago is inhabited by the Samal, the poorest of the local Muslim peoples; boats serve as dwellings for some Samal families. The fewest are the yakans on Basilan Island, the Badjau on the Sulu Archipelago, and the Sangils in the Davao and Cotabato provinces in Mindanao.
Most of the Maranao and Magindanao are engaged in peasant labor, cultivating rice, cassava, coconut and other crops. Many of the Sulu, Samal and Bajau coasts who live on the coast make their living by fishing, transporting passengers and goods in their own motor boats (kumpit). Some are involved in smuggling and piracy, which is why they often come into conflict with the law. The dwellings of Filipino Muslims and Christians in general do not differ significantly either in style or in the building materials used, although in some places on Holo Island and in the area of Lake In Lanao, there are houses with steep long-pitched roofs and beams with an abundance of decorative elements (carved birds, snakes, dragons, etc.).
Before the arrival of the Spaniards, there were several Muslim sultanates in the Philippines, the most powerful of which was Sulu. Its territory covered not only the islands of the archipelago, but also part of northern Borneo (modern Sabah). The support of the monarch and his court, which included the first minister, governors of the lands and other officials, was made up of communal leaders - the date (or dato) to whom every Muslim had to obey. The date, in turn, was given an oath of allegiance to the Sultan. The lower rungs of the social ladder were occupied by ordinary members of the community, and slaves were at the bottom of society. At present, the date remains the village leaders, endowed with special spiritual and secular powers.
As follows from the local Islamic tradition, the first Arab missionary to the Philippines appeared on Holo in 1380. From the Sulu archipelago, a new religious teaching spread to Mindanao. In 1745, a Muslim community arose at the mouth of the Mindanao River. By the time the Spaniards arrived, Islam had advanced north and reached central Luzon. After the defeat by the Spaniards in 1571 of the troops of its ruler, Rajah Suleiman, the Muslim confession was pushed back to the south of the Philippines.
MOUNTAIN ETHNOS- the indigenous people of the country inhabiting such isolated territories as the Mountainous Province in the north of Luzon, the islands of Palawan, Mindoro and Mindanao, did not undergo significant Spanish or Muslim influence. In the Philippines, there are over 100 small mountain peoples, numbering from several hundred to over 100 thousand people. Some of the members of these ethnic communities identify themselves as Catholics or Muslims, while many others adhere to local traditional beliefs.
The main tribal groups that have settled in northern Luzon are the Ibaloi, Kankanai, Ifugao, Bontok, Kalinga, Apayo (Isnegi), Tinguians, Gaddans, and Ilongots. Mangians live on Mindoro Island, and Tagbanua, Palawans and Bataks live on Palawan. Mindanao is home to Bagobo, Bilaan, Bukidnon, Mandaya, Manobo, Subanon, T pain and Tirurai. Representatives of the Aeta (or Negrito) group are found on the islands of Luzon, Mindanao, Negros and Panay.
Many tribes practice the slash-and-burn farming system, clearing a section of the forest, cutting down and burning small trees and shrubs growing there. Then, on the formed plot, various agricultural crops are grown for several years, and after the depletion of the soil, the whole cycle is repeated in a new place. Thus, yields of rice, corn, sweet potatoes, taro, some types of fruits and vegetables are obtained. Some small peoples, such as the Ifugao, are engaged in terraced irrigated agriculture. In the Banaue settlement in the Luzon Mountain Province, the steep slopes that descend into the river valley form a giant staircase of terraces used for rice cultivation. Some of the terraces have retaining walls made of stone, reaching a height of 6 meters. In flooded rice fields and in running waters, fish, shrimp, crabs, and shellfish are caught. Buffaloes and pigs are raised. Breeding of chickens is widely practiced. Dogs are often used for hunting and guarding homes. Bamboo, rattan and palm leaves are used to make baskets and mats, and clothing is made from locally sourced cotton fabrics. Women usually wear saris and men wear a loincloth, but some tribal groups, such as the Bagobo, prefer to wear pants similar to those of the Muslim Filipinos in Mindanao.
In different regions of the country, especially in the north of Luzon Island, one or more related villages for many tribal groups play the role of a kind of cultural center. In rare cases, for example, among subanons, a dispersed, farm-type settlement system prevails. Huts are often built on stilts; the floor and walls are made of bamboo, sometimes wood, and the roof is covered with palm leaves or thatch. Bontoks, Kankanai and Inibaloi build their dwellings right on the ground.
The religion of all mountain ethnic groups includes complex systems of beliefs in all kinds of spirits, main and other deities, as well as the corresponding ritual practice. Bagobo, for example, proceed from the existence of nine heavens, each of which has its own god. The rites are performed mainly to pacify the spirits that cause disease.
SPORT.
Favorite sports are cockfighting and basketball. The Filipinos have achieved great success in boxing (light and featherweight). The Amateur Athletics Federation regularly sends athletes to the Asian and Olympic Games. In addition, chess is extremely popular in the Philippines; the champion of the Philippines, Eugenio Torre, is the first citizen of an Asian country to receive the title of grandmaster.
STATE DEVICE.
From the moment the Philippines gained independence in 1946 and until 1972, when President Ferdinand Marcos promulgated the decree declaring the state of emergency, the country was governed in accordance with the constitution, which provided for the participation of the head of state, Congress and the court. In 1973, a new constitution was adopted, in accordance with the special provisions of which Marcos received additional powers, which remained until the end of the state of emergency in the Philippines in 1981. Despite the formal restoration of democratic government, a popular referendum held in the same year amended the 1973 constitution. expanded the prerogatives of the president. When Marcos was overthrown in February 1986, the Corazon Aquino government declared the 1973 constitution null and void and appointed a commission to draft a new constitution. On February 2, 1987, the new constitution was approved in a popular referendum and came into effect 9 days later.
CENTRAL AUTHORITIES.
The Philippines since 1987 is a presidential republic with a bicameral congress and an independent judiciary.
The President of the Philippines has the supreme executive power (age for election is at least 40 years old, residence in the Philippines for at least 10 years before the elections).
The President simultaneously serves as head of government and commander-in-chief of the armed forces. The President (and with him the Vice President) is elected by popular vote of citizens aged 18 and over for a period of 6 years. In principle, he is not subject to re-election for a new term, unless the head of state took office as a result of the constitutional removal of the former president and held it for no longer than 4 years.
The President (with the consent of the Nominating Commission) appoints the members of the Cabinet of Ministers he heads. Since June 30, 2010, the President of the Philippines is Benigno Aquino Jr. At the same time as the president, the country's vice president is elected in separate elections by popular vote. His term of office is 6 years. He may be re-elected for a second term.
The principles of public administration are based on the election of government bodies and the division of its branches - legislative, executive, judicial.
The highest legislative body is the bicameral Congress.
The upper house is the Senate (24 senators aged at least 35), elected for 6 years with midterm elections every 3 years and the right to be re-elected for a second term. The head of the upper house is the president of the senate, who is elected by the senators. The House of Representatives (head - speaker) is elected for 3 years, consisting of no more than 250 deputies (from the age of 25) with the right to be re-elected for 3 terms.
Of these, 212 are elected in single-member constituencies. The rest (currently 24 members) are appointed by the president in accordance with party lists in a complex system that depends on the number of votes received by the parties in the elections. The President of the Philippines can veto bills or articles approved by Congress. Overcoming the veto requires two-thirds of the votes of both houses of Congress.
LOCAL AUTHORITIES.
The Philippines is divided into 17 economic and administrative districts (regions) which consist of 79 provinces and 116 self-governing cities. For ease of planning. development and coordination of the administrative activities of the province are united into, municipalities, barangay (rural districts)
Of these regions, two have autonomous status: the Autonomous Muslim Region of Mindanao (uniting 4 provinces - Magindanao, South Lanao, Sulu, Tavitavi) and in the Central Cordillera mountains in North Luzon. Greater Manila is a separate area.
The provinces are governed by elected councils headed by governors. Regions - with the exception of autonomous ones - do not have their own administration. Provinces, in turn, are divided into cities and municipalities. They, like the autonomous cities, are governed by councils headed by mayors. Municipalities (about 1.495) and cities are made up of barangays (the lowest local administrative unit that includes one or more villages or townships. About 42.000)
POLITICAL PARTIES.
After gaining independence in 1946, a two-party system existed in the Philippines: the Liberal Party (ruling in 1946-1954 and 1961-1965) and the Nationalist Party (ruling in 1954-1961 and since 1965) replaced power. In 1972, political activity was banned by President Ferdinand Marcos, who declared a state of emergency, and in 1978 created a new ruling party, the Movement for a New Society. After the overthrow of the Marcos regime in 1986, the multi-party system was restored. however, the balance of political forces has changed dramatically.
Strength of the People - Christian and Muslim Democrats- a political coalition formed in 1992 as the Power of the People - National Union of Christian Democrats bloc, which was later joined by the United Muslim Democrats of the Philippines. She was in power in 1992-1998 (President Fidel Ramos), but her candidate was defeated in the 1998 presidential elections. She returned to power in 2001 when President Joseph Estrada was ousted from power and the powers of the head of state were transferred to Vice President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. By the 2004 elections, "Power of the People - KMD" headed the "Coalition of Truth and Experience for the Future" ("Four K") bloc, which won the presidential elections. The party has 93 seats in the House of Representatives and 7 seats in the Senate. Leaders - Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (President), F. Ramos, Jose de Venezia.
Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC)- a conservative political organization, founded before the elections in 1992. Since 2000, it has supported the government of Gloria Macapgal-Arroyo, has entered the "Four K" coalition. Has 53 seats in the House of Representatives. Leaders - Eduardo Cohuangco, Frisco San Juan.
Liberal Party (LP)- formed in 1946. Member of the Liberal International, a member of the ruling coalition "Four K". Has 34 seats in the House of Representatives and 3 seats in the Senate. Leaders - Franklin Drilon, Jose Atienza.
The Nationalist Party is the oldest political party in the country, created in 1907 and leading the struggle for the independence of the Philippines. Takes a conservative position. Included in the ruling coalition "Four K". The leader is Manuel Villar.
People's Reform Party (PNR)- was formed before the 1992 elections to support the presidential candidacy of the former judge Maria Defensor-Santiago, famous for her fight against corruption. Included in the ruling coalition "Four K". In the 2004 elections, she won 1 of 12 seats in the Senate.
Democratic Filipinos Struggle (BDF)- conservative, took shape in 1988 as the main support of President Corazon Aquino (1986 - 1992). In 1992, the party was defeated in elections, but retained influence in Congress. In 2003, it split into the factions of Edgaro Angara and Aquino - Panfilo Laxon. In the 2004 elections, the Angara faction led the opposition Coalition of United Filipinos. Laxon's faction acted independently. The party has 11 seats in the House of Representatives. In the 2004 elections, the Angara faction won 1 of 12 elected seats in the Senate.
Philippine Masses Party (PFM)- populist, created in the early 1990s by supporters of the famous actor Joseph Estrada (president of the country in 1998-2001). In 2001 she joined the opposition, in 2004 she entered the "Coalition of the United Filipinos", has 2 seats in the Senate. Leaders - Joseph Estrada, Juan Ponce Enrile.
Philippine Democratic Party - Struggle- centrist party, founded in 1982. In 2004, it entered the opposition Coalition of United Filipinos, won 1 of 12 elected seats in the Senate. The leader is Aquilino Pimentel.
Alliance of Hope- opposition coalition, created for the 2004 elections by centrist parties, which until 2003 supported President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. It included the Democratic Action Party (leader - Paul Roco), the Reform Party (leader - Renato de Villa) and the Primary Provincial Development Party (leader - Leto Osmenya).
There are also parties:
Movement "Rise Philippines" (leader - Eduardo Villanueva),
Party "One Nation, One Spirit" (leaders - Rodolfo Pajo, Eddie Gil),
Movement for a new society (party of former supporters of F. Marcos)
Centrist- Progressive Party, Green Party, leftist Party of Civil Action, "Nation First" (legal branch of the Communist Party, formed in 1999), Workers 'Party, Trotskyist Revolutionary Workers' Party and others.
Communist Party of the Philippines (CPF)- Maoist, created in 1968 by groups that broke away from the pro-Soviet Communist Party (created in 1930). Acts under the slogans of Marxism-Leninism, leads an insurrectionary armed struggle to overthrow the existing regime of the Philippines. He heads the "New People's Army", which has up to 11 thousand soldiers and operates mainly on the island of Luzon.
Separatist organizations(in the south of the country, in the Muslim regions of Mindanao, etc.): The Moro National Liberation Front (FNOM, created in 1969, a moderate group that signed an agreement with the Philippine government in 1987, and in 1996 agreed to create an autonomous region headed by the front leader Nur Misuari), the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (split from the FONM in 1978, advocates the creation of an independent Islamic state of Moro, wages an armed struggle, relying on 11-15 thousand fighters; the leader is Istaz Salami Hashim), the Abu Sayyaf Group (split off in 1991 from FNOM; advocates an Islamic state and resorts to terrorist methods of struggle; leader - Abdurazhik Abubarak Janjalani).
JUDICIAL SYSTEM.
The highest judicial body is the Supreme Court. Its members (Chief Justice and 14 members) are appointed by the President of the Philippines on the advice of a council of judges and lawyers. The Supreme Court is also empowered to determine the constitutionality of laws issued and the legality of government actions. There is also an Appellate Court and a Special Court that hears cases of corruption in government institutions (Sandigan Bayan). The possibility of forming independent commissions for elections, audits and revisions, etc. is envisaged. Subordinate judicial bodies operate within the Philippines' territorial divisions.
FOREIGN POLICY.
The Philippines is a member of the UN and its specialized organizations, as well as international regional associations and bodies - ASEAN, the Asian Bank, the Asia-Pacific Economic Conference, etc. They have diplomatic relations with Russia (established with the USSR in 1976).
In foreign policy, the Philippines traditionally focused on the United States, with which a military treaty was concluded in 1952. But since the 1980s, the country's authorities have tried to pursue a more independent course in international affairs and diversify bilateral ties in the region. In 1992, the US military bases at Clark Field and Subic Bay were closed. Despite the persistence of territorial disputes with a number of states in East and Southeast Asia (with China, Taiwan and Vietnam over the ownership of the oil and gas-rich Spratly Islands in the South China Sea, with Malaysia over the ownership of Sabah), The Philippines is developing cooperation with neighboring states in the region. Military cooperation with the United States intensified again in the early 2000s in connection with the United States' declared "war on terrorism." The countries are cooperating in the fight against the Islamist group "Abu Sayyaf". The Philippines has sent its military units to Iraq.
MILITARY ESTABLISHMENT.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines consists of the Army, the Navy (including the Coast Guard and the Marines), and the Air Force. The total number is St. 100 thousand. Military service - from the age of 18 (compulsory and voluntary). There are also territorial civil defense units and police units. For military needs, approx. 1.5% of GDP.
MASS MEDIA.
There are 225 television stations and over 900 radio stations in the Philippine Islands. The country has 11.5 million radios and 3.7 million television sets. In the capital, every day comes out approx. 30 newspapers, mostly in English, some in Pilipino and 4 in Chinese. Newspapers are also published in the provinces. The Philippine Daily Inquirer, the most authoritative of the capital's newspapers, has a circulation of over 280,000 on weekdays.
Several film studios operate in Manila, where films in English and Tagalog are made for local audiences.
ECONOMY
Before World War II, the Philippines' economy was based primarily on agriculture and forestry. In the post-war period, the manufacturing industry began to develop, and at the end of the 20th century. - also the service industry. However, in terms of economics, the country lagged behind many other East Asian states, not least because of sharp social inequality, widespread bureaucratic corruption, and the dependent nature of its economy. At the end of the 20th century. The Philippines experienced moderate economic growth driven by remittances from overseas Filipinos, development information technologies and the availability of cheap labor.
The 1997 Asian financial crisis did little damage to the Philippines; the remittances of Filipinos working overseas (US $ 6–7 billion annually) proved to be a significant help. In subsequent years, the country's economy began to improve: if in 1998 the GDP contracted by 0.8%, then in 1999 it grew by 2.4%, and in 2000 - by 4.4%. In 2001, growth slowed again to 3.2% due to the global economic downturn and falling exports. Later, thanks to the development of the service sector, an increase in industrial production and the promotion of exports, the GDP grew by 4.4% in 2002 and by 4.5% in 2003. The unequal distribution of incomes and a high level of poverty (in 2001 approx. 40% of the population lived below the poverty level) and large indebtedness (the volume of public debt is 77% of GDP). Over 11% of the working-age population is unemployed.
In 2003, the GDP was estimated at $ 390.7 billion, which corresponded to $ 4,600 per capita. At the same time, the share of agriculture in the structure of GDP is 14.5%, industry - 32.3%, services - 53.2%. Of the nearly 35 million workers, 45% were employed in agriculture, 15% in industry and 40% in service-related industries.
AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY.
Under agricultural land there is approx. one third of the total area of the country. At the same time, the most fertile lands are occupied by large plantations of export crops, and the bulk of farms (average size - 4 hectares) are small and unable to feed the owners, who are forced to leave production or hire out as tenants.
The main agricultural crop in the Philippines is rice (harvest in 2002 - 13.3 million tons). Corn, which occupies a third of arable land. In 2002, 4.3 million tons of corn were harvested. The Philippines is a major producer of pineapples (for export) and bananas, as well as sugar made from sugar cane (25.8 Mt - 2002). Coffee (132.1 thousand tons and 1.8% of its world production) and natural rubber (73.3 thousand tons, 12th in the world) are of great importance. Reeds, coconut trees, sweet potatoes (to meet domestic demand), hevea, ramie, various fruit and vegetable crops, agave, Abaca (Manila hemp) - the fiber of a textile banana, from which ropes, carpets, and mats are made, are also grown. Before World War II, one of the largest local industries was associated with it. In the post-war period, when synthetic materials came into fashion, the demand for abacus decreased significantly, but it is still exported, albeit in a smaller volume. The abacus is grown in the south of Luzon Island, in the eastern regions of the Visay Islands and on Mindanao Island.
High quality cigar tobacco has been cultivated in the Philippines for almost 200 years. Since 1950, it has been supplemented by the cultivation of aromatic cigarette varieties of tobacco intended mainly for domestic consumers. The main tobacco plantations are located in the north of Luzon.
Agricultural areas.
In the Philippines, there are 10 agricultural areas.
1.Ilocos is a densely populated coastal area in northwest Luzon where rice and tobacco are cultivated. In the rainy season, more than 60% of the cultivated wedge is occupied by rice crops; in the dry season, many rice fields are devoted to vegetables and tobacco.
2. The valley of the Cagayan River in the northeast of Luzon Island, which has long been considered one of the most favorable regions in the country for growing tobacco, corn and rice.
3. The Central Plain, north of Manila, is a rice granary and an important center for sugarcane cultivation.
4. Yuzhnotagalogsky region south of Manila with fertile volcanic soils, where diversified tropical agriculture is developed. Rice, coconut palm, sugar cane, coffee, all kinds of fruit and vegetable crops are grown here.
5. The valley of the Bicol River in southeast Luzon, where agricultural production specializes in the cultivation of coconut palm and rice, which are harvested twice a year in many areas.
7. Eastern Visay Islands. The main export commodities are coconut palm products. Sugar cane is grown for the domestic market. Corn is the main grain crop on Cebu Island, east of Negros Island and in some areas of Leyte Island; rice prevails on Samar and Bohol Islands and in the east of Leyte Island.
7. Western Visayas, where rice and sugarcane are grown.
8. The islands of Mindoro and Palawan are the zone of primary agricultural colonization.
9. North and East of Mindanao - the area of cultivation of corn and coconut. The cultivation of pineapples and the raising of cattle are of local importance. 10. The southern and western part of Mindanao is a leader in the development of a diversified plantation economy. Coconut, hevea, coffee, pineapples, as well as rice and corn are grown here.
FORESTRY AND FISHERIES.
Currently, forests occupy about 40% of the Philippines (in 1946 - more than 50%). According to the calculations of governmental experts on environmental protection, in order to preserve the sustainability of ecosystems, it is necessary that the forest-covered area be at least 54%. In the meantime, as a result of intensive felling, vast areas are completely devoid of tree cover. Forestry remains one of the most important industries, whose products (especially mahogany wood) play a significant role in exports.
Fish and rice are the staple foods of the Filipinos. About half of the total catch comes from traditional communities of professional fishermen, a quarter of the catch comes from fishing companies, and another quarter is generated by actively developing aquaculture. Deterioration of the aquatic environment is a serious problem for local fisheries.
INDUSTRY.
The Philippines is one of the ten largest chromium producers in the world. Ore minerals include gold, copper, nickel, iron, lead, manganese, silver, zinc and cobalt. The identified minerals include coal, limestone, raw materials for the cement industry. Currently, only a small part of the existing deposits of industrial importance are being exploited. Copper ore is mined mainly in Cebu and in the southern part of Negros; gold - in the north of Luzon and in the northeastern part of Mindanao; iron ore - on Samar Island and in the southeast of Luzon; chromite - in the west of Luzon and in the northern part of Mindanao; nickel - in the northeast of Mindanao; coal - on the island of Cebu and in the west of Mindanao.
The oil field was discovered off the coast of Palawan in 1961, and its commercial development began in 1979. However, in 1993, only 2% of the oil consumed was produced in the Philippines.
The manufacturing industry is developed. The sharp increase in the share of manufactured products in exports - from less than 10% in 1970 to 75% in 1993 - made this industry the main source of foreign exchange earnings for the Philippines. Electronic equipment and clothing took a particularly important place in the export. In addition, the Philippines industry produces other consumer goods: foodstuffs, drinks, rubber products, footwear, medicines, paints, plywood and veneer, paper and paper products, electrical household appliances. Heavy industry enterprises produce cement, glass, chemical products, fertilizers, ferrous metals, and are engaged in oil refining.
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F. is a democratic unitary state, a republic with a presidential form of government. The Constitution is in effect, adopted in 1987. Administratively, F. are divided into provinces (73), united into 17 administrative and economic regions, municipalities, and barangai (rural districts). Large provinces: Pampanga, Rizal, Quezon, Ilocos (North and South), Cebu, Iloilo, Magindanao, etc. Major cities: Greater Manila, Davao, Cebu, Iloilo, etc.
The principles of public administration are based on the election of government bodies and the division of its branches - legislative, executive, judicial. The highest legislative body is the bicameral congress. The Upper House is the Senate (24 senators aged at least 35), elected for 6 years with midterm elections every 3 years and the right to be re-elected for a second term. The Head of the Upper House is the President of the Senate, elected by the Senators. The House of Representatives (head - speaker) is elected for 3 years, consisting of no more than 250 deputies (from the age of 25) with the right to be re-elected for 3 terms. The supreme executive power is vested in President F. (age for election is at least 40 years old, residence in F. for at least 10 years before the elections). The president (and with him the vice president) is elected for 6 years without the right to be re-elected for a second term. At the same time, he is the head of state, government (forms a cabinet responsible to him), and the supreme commander in chief. The president cannot dissolve parliament, but has veto power when bills are passed through Congress. In extreme situations, the president has the right to declare a state of emergency for a period limited by Congress.
F. is subject to universal suffrage for all citizens from the age of 18. The electoral system of the Philippines is of a mixed type, including elements of a majoritarian system (elections of the president - vice president, as well as senators by direct secret ballot of the general Filipino electorate) and a modified proportional system. Elements of the latter are present in elections to the lower house (the principle of proportional representation in voting by constituencies and party lists). The persistence of the stereotypes of traditional political culture in the political system of France (clannishness in politics, the system of paternalistic vertical ties, etc.) negatively affects the electoral system. F. are among the developing countries with a consistently high level of violations of the electoral law - the practice of trade in votes, falsification of ballots, pressure from above on the electorate, outbreaks of open violence, and so on.
Prominent presidents: President of the autonomous F. - M. Quezon (1935-44), known for a unique phenomenon of mass popularity, combined with a tough style of government, pro-Americanism and anti-communism; F. Marcos (1965-86), who failed the modernization program, but deserves attention by reorienting F.'s unilateral pro-American foreign policy towards expanding cooperation and partnership with Asian states; F. Ramos (1992-98), a pragmatist and intellectual who has achieved success in economic modernization and stabilization of society without breaking democratic structures and rule of law.
Local governments - provincial governors, city mayors, provincial legislative assemblies, municipal councils - are formed on the basis of the same electoral system as the highest authorities. At the local level, the principles of decentralized management have been introduced, the authorities have been given broad powers in the field of budgetary, tax policy, etc. Their activities are controlled by Congress (a source of corruption among both Congressmen and local leaders).
F. is characterized by the lack of a multiparty system, which includes fragile conglomerates of parties of the traditional type (associations around leaders, not programs). Two formerly leading parties - the Nationalists (founded in 1907) and the Liberal (founded in 1946) - failed to consolidate after being dispersed during the years of authoritarianism; at present, these are weak formations and factions in the composition of both pro-government and opposition coalitions and blocs. The pro-presidential coalition "Lakas" ("Power of the People") unites several parties and blocs, incl. such as the "National Union of Christian Democrats", "Struggle for Filipino Democracy", "Provincial Development Party" and others. Opponents of "Lakas" - "Party of the masses" of the ex-president of Estrada, "People's Party of Reforms" and others. Left flank of the opposition - the legal "Party of Workers" (founded in 2001) with a program of peaceful forms of struggle for the interests of the working people. Left radical illegal, operating from the end. 1960s the F. Communist Party (left), leads the armed guerrilla of the New People's Army and is a member of the National Democratic Front.
Leading organizations of the business community: Industrial and Commerce Chambers F.; Federation of Philippine-China Chambers of Commerce and Industry.
The active elements of civil society are non-governmental organizations (NGOs), their development is encouraged by the state, in particular, in the form of financial support. Areas of NGO activity - environmental protection, work to improve the lives of peasants, etc. They participate in politics: in elections and as organizers of mass peaceful demonstrations with a pro- and anti-government orientation. Anti-globalization organizations are at the stage of formation, adhere to the tactics of non-violent actions. Large NGOs in F .: "Movement for the transformation of the countryside", "Forum of the Greens", etc.
The main tasks in the field of France's domestic policy are the implementation of economic modernization as the basis for stabilizing society; consolidation of the political elite around the presidential reform program, suppression of the opposition, especially its extremist currents. None of these tasks are performed. Criticism of President Arroyo for his indecision in the fight against corruption, Crownism, inability to solve the problem of poverty and eliminate the hotbed of violence in the Muslim South comes not only from her opponents, but also from his inner circle (representatives of the middle class, the leadership of the Catholic Church, the military elite). The internal political state of F. remains uncertain and unstable.
The formation of F.'s foreign policy and the making of foreign policy decisions are concentrated in the hands of the president (maximum powers), F.'s Foreign Ministry, his head (often at the same time a vice-president), the Security Council, and the National Intelligence Coordination Agency. The 1987 Constitution strengthened the role of the Congress in shaping the foreign policy course (international agreements enter into force only after they are ratified by 2/3 of the members of the Senate). Beginning with the presidency of Marcos, F.'s foreign policy has been based on subjectivity in international relations, the priority given to ensuring national interests, and the independence and multilateralism of diplomacy. With a multipolar system of foreign policy ties, F. pay special attention to active equal participation in regional affairs and new integration processes in the SEVA region. At the same time, the F. political elite never faced the question of giving up the priority of relations with the United States (weakened in the early 1990s after the withdrawal of American military bases from F.) as a guarantor of regional and national security. Under the Arroyo government, the US military presence in the archipelago has been restored, so far in a format that does not violate the Constitution of F. Since the United States has included F. in the zone of international terrorism, Arroyo has invited American military advisers and counter-terrorism experts to help local troops in operations against Muslim separatists. The strengthening of pro-Americanism in France's foreign policy worries their ASEAN partners (especially Muslim countries) and causes an increase in anti-Americanism among Filipinos, who fear the possibility of direct American participation in military operations (in violation of the Constitution). Meanwhile, the Muslim South is still far from reconciliation. One of the reasons is the low professionalism and outdated technical equipment of the French army, the weakest in the ASEAN countries. The army in F. is regular, formed partly on the basis of universal conscription (from the age of 20), partly from persons hired for 3 years under contracts. Consists of the Ground Forces, the Air Force and the Navy. The total number is less than 200 thousand people. The Constitution establishes the priority of civilian power over the Armed Forces, the military cannot engage in business and politics (except for participation in elections). But among a part of the officer corps, dissatisfaction with the ineffectiveness of state policy is brewing, so attempts at military conspiracies and rebellions are not excluded (such precedents have already happened during the presidency of K. Aquino).
F. have diplomatic relations with the Russian Federation (established with the USSR in 1976).