Statement of Ateneo School of Government Dean and Project Participate Chief of Party Dr. Ronald Mendoza on the First Release of the Project Quarterly Newsletter

January 15, 2021

 

"We welcome the new year with a refreshed sense of hope. The past year has been challenging for all of us. The uncertainty, the stress, the trauma, and anxieties brought by the coronavirus pandemic are unprecedented and disrupted the very foundations of the world we live in. As we enter 2021, we are opening a new chapter in history. We are given an opportunity to take a step back, reassess, and improve the way things forward.

 

Observing the past five years, we can say that change indeed came as a result of the 2016 elections. Not only has it been structural, but there has also been behavioral change among us. The partisan divisiveness, political polarization, and propagation of disinformation campaigns leading to rising levels of toxicity in online political discourse are issues that continue to affect our society.

 

As the 2022 Philippine national elections draws near, we should expect more of these challenges along with addressing the ongoing pandemic. Preparations are underway, and we can contribute to these efforts through Participate.

 

Participate is a program that aims to increase and enhance non-partisan political participation by the citizenry and civil society organizations as an essential element of true democratic governance. In the months ahead, we, as a consortium, will be organizing webinars, publishing journal articles, launching social media campaigns among others to reach our objectives of bolstering citizen oversight on the electoral process, increasing the availability and accessibility of information to promote informed voting, and supporting electoral reform and constituency-building.

 

All of these will be made possible by us working together in empowering the Filipino people to make informed choices. One vote can make a difference.

 

For now, let me merely say that we can look forward to a busy year. Everyone in the team is grateful for your strong support and dedication to Participate.

 

Again, I wish you all the best for the new year for 2021, and may you all stay safe and healthy."