In the case of the Phillipines President Arroyo (who has been doing several messed up things like reinstating marshall law and declaring a state of emergency) has basically become a puppet of Bush and has continually supressed the human rights and women's rights of her people.
Police arrested Akbayan party-list Rep. Ana Theresa Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel during a march last Wednesday to mark International Women's Day.“Women ask whose national interest is being protected? Is Gloria’s national interest the same interest of women and men who clamor for decent employment, livelihood, food and housing of poor households? Is Gloria’s ‘national interest’ that of the State and the rights and welfare of its citizens, or does she equate the State with herself and her political survival?” the groups said.
They added the question of legitimacy has hounded Mrs. Arroyo from the very beginning of her assumption into power in 2001.
But instead of clearing the air, they said, Mrs. Arroyo imposed the calibrated preemptive response, Executive Order 464 and the controversial Proclamation 1017.
“It is the response of a regime under siege,” they said.
They added women have found no support from Mrs. Arroyo, a woman President, as her 10-point development agenda makes any mention of any gender concern.
“She (Mrs. Arroyo) has denied official support for full reproductive health and family planning services, thus putting at risk women’s health and lives. The National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women that is mandated to ensure gender responsive policies has one of the smallest budgets in the bureaucracy. Despite the 25th year of the celebration of the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women or CEDAW, to which the Philippine government is a signatory, the fundamental rights of women remain a pipe dream to millions of women who are daughters, wives, mothers to millions of households,” the groups said.
UPDATE: Also check out this piece on SFIndyMedia about IWD Protest in the Phillipines.
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hmm... kind of makes me think about hillary clinton a little bit.
i just don't think it comes as much of a surprise, on a few levels. first, is the historical facts of folks like margaret thatcher. however, more to the point, i think it's been shown throughout plenty of examples that those in power will not give up their power.
so, those who represent oppressed groups in government will, with few exceptions, tow the most reactionary line possible. more to the point, the shitstem will only allow those women (thatcher, arroyo), people of color (clarence thomas alberto gonzalez), foreigners (arnold schwartzeneger), jews (joe lieberman) etc. who tow the most power-reinforcing line out there to achieve high office within the establishment.
now, there are definitely sterling examples of folks who are in government and are true to it, but their power base is rarely supported by either party and their political careers are thus limited (why isn't barbara lee president by now? it isn't just because she's young.)
it's a crazy game... and only those who play get high in it... if you come from a place where the government isn't recognizing your needs and you want to speak up, you aren't going to get supported. on the other hand, if you're willing to leverage your community and trade their votes for personal attainment (while selling out your constituents to your higher ups in the whole political machine), you'll get somewhere.
otherwise, you end up running street-level campaigns and changing minds but having a very small overall effect on the dialog within the halls of power. on the other hand, i can't really see how towing the line is actually affecting anything at all. very small's better than nothing.
maybe i shouldn't be so pessimistic. someone please set me straight.