The Leadership and Governance of Constitutional Commissions : self-assessments and alternative views and assessments, 2004-2007 / edited by Ma. Oliva Z. Domingo.

This report explains the assessment of the legal, regulatory, policy, financial and social environment in which civil society organizations (CSOs) operate in the Philippines. Different aspects that impact on CSOs' ability to register and operate freely, access resources, engage with government, and work collectively, all form part of the enabling environment for CSOs in the Philippines. This study is not an assessment of CSOs' contribution to the country's development, but rather, an inquiry into the legal and policy environment that allows CSOs to form and operate, and, ultimately, to contribute to the country's development. This is a national level assessment for the Philippines, part of the Enabling Environment National Assessments (EENA), a methodology developed jointly by CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation and the International Center for Not-for-Profit law (ICNL). The EENAs are action-oriented research projects focused on assessing the legal, regulatory and policy environment of civil society in different countries. For the purpose of this assessment, the term civil society organization (CSO) refers to a formalized collection of individuals that are independent of government and do not function as for-profit business.1 The assessment includes labor unions in the term "CSO" as these organizations are a significant component of the CSO community in the Philippines, both in terms of applicable laws and regulations, and in the interaction among CSOs themselves. Labor unions are covered by the same regulatory agency (Department of Labor and Employment) as other organizations (e.g., farmers registering as a rural workers association) and are treated as part of the CSO community, both by the CSOs themselves, and by the government. The research methodology used in the assessment adheres to the guidelines laid down in the Enabling Environment National Assessments (EENA) Research Guide, jointly developed by CIVICUS and ICNL.2 The methodology entailed four key data collection methods: (1) Desktop Research; (2) Focus Group Discussions (FGDs); (3) Key Informant Interviews; and (4) Survey. This assessment covers the following eight dimensions: (1) formation of CSOs; (2) operation of CSOs; (3) access to resources; (4) freedom of expression; (5) peaceful assembly; (6) CSO-government relations; (7) CSO cooperation and coalition; and (8) taxation. The first six dimensions are the mandatory dimensions, as outlined in the EENA Research Guide, while the last two are the chosen optional dimensions.3 Each dimension is discussed in this report as a separate chapter, which analyzes in detail the results of the above mentioned different research methods. Keywords: Philippines, commission on elections, commission on audit, politics, and government, leadership

Includes bibliographical references.