Civil Society Under Populist Repression: Political Engagement in the Philippines During and Beyond Rodrigo Duterte’s Regime

Kevin Nielsen Agojo; Ador R. Torneo

doi:10.14764/10.ASEAS-0147

Authors

Kevin Nielsen Agojo De La Salle University https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9778-4491
Ador R. Torneo De La Salle University https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6748-6987

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14764/10.ASEAS-0147

Keywords:

Civil Society, Discursive Deligitimization, Duterte, Philippines, Populist Repression

Abstract

Why was the civil society unable to mobilize effectively against democratic backsliding during Rodrigo Duterte’s administration in the Philippines (2016-2022)? What are the challenges and opportunities for civil society in the post-Duterte period? Although Philippine civil society has a history of vibrant activism and substantial contributions to democratic policymaking, it was subdued and muted during Duterte’s violent populist rule. This article argues that Duterte’s autocratic strategies, such as personalized rule, centralization of power, lawfare, and disinformation, not only undermined civil society organizations but also created a precarious environment that discouraged overt opposition. This led to a decline in political participation and a weakening of civil society. To support our arguments, we draw on empirical evidence from personal communication with key figures from CSOs, reportage from these organizations and media, and analyses from relevant scholarly literature. In this study, we refine the Regime Maintenance Theory by showing a type of authoritarian resilience that does not rely mainly on punitive measures or election cheating. Unlike Ferdinand Marcos Sr., or Gloria Arroyo, Duterte did not have to rig elections or limit public space to subvert civil society. Instead, he used a mix of repressive methods and a populist narrative that appealed to many people. This study, hence, demonstrates that legitimacy derived from mass approval can generate coercion even in the absence of punitive repression.

Author Biographies

Kevin Nielsen Agojo, De La Salle University

Kevin Nielsen M. Agojo is a PhD Candidate in the Department of Public and International Affairs at the City University of Hong Kong and an Assistant Professorial Lecturer in the Department of Political Science and Development Studies at De La Salle University in Manila, Philippines. His research interests include policing, democratization, electoral politics, and human rights.

Ador R. Torneo, De La Salle University

Ador R. Torneo is Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Professor in the Department of Political Science at De La Salle University in Manila, Philippines. His publications span comparative public administration, performance management, electoral administration, Korean studies, political psychology, and migration studies. He previously served as Director of the La Salle Institute of Governance and Editor-in-Chief of the Asia-Pacific Social Science Review, and serves on the Editorial Boards of the Journal of Public Affairs Education and the Journal of Social Equity and Public Administration. He received his PhD in Public Administration from Konkuk University in Seoul, South Korea.

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