Journalist-bloggers and the public sphere in the Philippines: Some exploratory questions

Abstract

Introduction: The Philippines marked twenty years of democratic transition in 2006. The authoritarian regime of former president Ferdinand Marcos was toppled by a peaceful uprising in February 1986 and was replaced by the popularly installed Aquino government. National and local elections have been held since 1987. In 2001, massive protests deposed popularly elected president Joseph Estrada after a failed impeachment trial triggered by corruption allegations.1 He was succeeded by his vice president, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who was subsequently elected to the presidency in May 2004 in a controversial and tightly contested election. In June 2005, audiotapes surfaced allegedly featuring Arroyo conversing on the telephone with election commissioner Virgilio Garcillano while election results were being tallied (May-June 2004). In a series of conversations, Arroyo’s distinctive voice can be heard querying Garcillano about election results.2 The scandal, dubbed “Gloriagate” (or “Hello Garci”) by the media, triggered fresh allegations of fraud, calls for resignation, systemic overhaul, civil disobedience and even armed intervention by the military. The repercussions continue to unfold after years of sporadic protests and the absence of institutional remedies (several impeachment complaints in the House of Representatives were quashed by Arroyo allies). (....)