President Marcos emphasized the administration's commitment to
open governance, highlighting the importance of access to information,
government transparency, and digitalization in facilitating citizen
involvement. He noted that initiatives like the Citizen Participatory Audit
Program, Grassroots Participatory Budgeting, and the Open Data Portal
have garnered global recognition for the country's efforts in enhancing
participatory governance.
These initiatives reflect a concerted effort by the Marcos administration
to institutionalize citizen participation, ensuring that governance is
transparent, accountable, and inclusive. By empowering citizens and
fostering collaboration between government and civil society, the
administration aims to build a "Bagong Pilipinas" characterized by active
civic engagement and shared responsibility in governance.
The "Bagong Pilipinas" initiative has faced scrutiny regarding its
execution and transparency. Concerns have been raised about the
allocation of resources for events such as the kick-off rally, with critics
questioning the expenditure amid ongoing national challenges.
Additionally, the mandatory inclusion of the "Bagong Pilipinas" hymn
and pledge in flag ceremonies has sparked debate, with some groups
viewing it as reminiscent of past authoritarian regimes.
Especially in voting.
In the Philippines, citizen participation in administration is encouraged
through legal frameworks like the 1987 Constitution and the Local
Government Code, promoting effective and reasonable participation at
all levels of decision-making, including through mechanisms like Local
Development Councils and online platforms.

Guaranteed Rights:
The Constitution enshrines the right of the people and their
organizations to participate effectively in social, political, and economic
decision-making.

Citizen Participation in Local Governance:
Citizen participation in local governance involves ordinary citizens
assessing their own needs and participating in local project planning
and budget monitoring.

Importance of Citizen Participation:
Citizen participation has been known to reap benefits for individuals,
communities, organizations and provide better value to governments.
Public Perception of Government Actions:

Support for the International Criminal Court (ICC): Public opinion
surveys indicate support for the ICC's involvement in addressing
past government actions. For example, the unprecedented arrest
of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte and his transfer to the ICC have
garnered significant public attention, with discussions on the
implications for justice and accountability.
These developments underscore the Philippine government's efforts to
listen to and incorporate public opinion into governance. By
implementing open government initiatives, conducting regular public
opinion surveys, and committing to transparency, the administration
aims to foster a more responsive and inclusive political environment.
However, continuous efforts are essential to address public concerns
and ensure that citizen voices lead to tangible policy outcomes.
Citizen’s participation in administration is encouraged as stated in the
1987 Constitution, which enshrines the right of the people and their
organizations to participate effectively in social, political, and economic
decision-making for their benefit.