Manila
The Friedrich Naumann Foundation promotes democracy, human rights, economic freedom, and curbing climate change. FNF Philippines focuses on open and digital society, as well as a social market economy. It is also involved in the creation of innovative tools. FNF Philippines team works with local organization partners such as Center for Liberalism and Democracy, Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines, Rappler, Philippine Economic Society, and Impact Leadership. Should you have questions or suggestions about our work, please contact us. You can also meet our team here.
News
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Kababaihang Liberal Holds Second General Assembly to Empower Women and Tackle Election Challenges
On March 16, 2025, Kababaihang Liberal (Liberal women) held its second General Assembly at the Gerry Roxas Training Center in Cubao, Quezon City. The event built on discussions from the recent Training of Trainers, shifting the focus to educating voters in preparation for the upcoming elections.
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Demokrasya sa Barangay: Kababaihang Liberal’s New Approach to Strengthening Women’s Voices in Communities
In celebration of Women’s Month, the Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FNF) Philippines collaborated with Kababaihang Liberal (Liberal women) to launch the Demokrasya sa Barangay (Democracy in the Barangay) initiative. This program, aimed at empowering women in local communities, included a series of events such as a Training of Trainers, Kwentuhan sa Barangay (Conversations in the Barangay) sessions in 10 sites, a General Assembly, and consultations with women community leaders.
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Arrest of Rodrigo Duterte: A Step Towards Accountability
On March 11, 2025, former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested at Manila's Ninoy Aquino International Airport on an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant for crimes against humanity. This development marks a significant milestone in the ICC's over eight-year investigation into the thousands of deaths linked to Duterte's "war on drugs”.
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CLD Voter Education Program Kicks Off with Film Screening and Panel Discussion
On March 1, 2025, the Center for Liberalism and Democracy (CLD), in collaboration with the Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FNF) Philippines and the Polytechnic University of the Philippines' (PUP) academic organizations, successfully launched #YouthVote2025, CLD’sVote Protection Program at the Tanghalang PUP Theater in Sta. Mesa, Manila.
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PPVR and FNF Hold Successful Week of Democratic Education and Empowerment in Butuan City
From February 26 to 27, 2025, Butuan City was filled with energy and a strong commitment to democracy as the People Power Volunteers for Reform (PPVR) Caraga, in partnership with the Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FNF) Philippines, organized a series of productive events focused on voter education and the promotion of democratic values. The activities aimed to reach diverse groups, including youth and rural communities.
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Human Rights Memorialization Takes Center Stage at Project Alaala’s “Anna” Book Launch
On February 21, 2025, the Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FNF) Philippines, in collaboration with Ms. Joyce Crisanto and St. Bridget School Idinayale, launched the Project Alaala publication titled “Anna” at St. Bridget School in Quezon City.
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AHRC’s Semestral Break Internship Program Empowers Law Students and Grassroot Communities
The Ateneo Human Rights Center (AHRC) in partnership with Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FNF) Philippines kicked off the new year with its flagship and pioneer program, the Yugto: Semestral Break Internship Program 2025.
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Grundbucheintragung 2.0: Transformation des Eigentumsrechts in den Philippinen
Grundbucheintragungen sind die Grundlage für wirtschaftliche Sicherheit, persönliche Selbstbestimmung und soziale Stabilität. In den Philippinen sind jedoch Millionen von Menschen aufgrund fehlender formeller Eigentumsdokumente Konflikten ausgesetzt und somit nicht in der Lage, ihr Eigentum in vollem Umfang zu nutzen. Seit Generationen ist das Fehlen von Grundbucheintragungen ein Hindernis für Entwicklung. Familien im städtischen wie im ländlichen Raum sind dabei gleichermaßen betroffen.
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Land Titling 2.0: Transforming Property Ownership in the Philippines
Land titles are the bedrock of economic security, personal empowerment, and social stability. In the Philippines, however, the absence of formal ownership documents has left millions vulnerable to disputes and unable to fully leverage their property for development. For generations, untitled land has been a barrier to progress, affecting families across urban centers and rural provinces alike.
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Closing the Gap: Advancing Gender Equality in Property Rights in the Philippines
The World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Report 2024 offers a mix of optimism and reality. Globally, 68.4% of the gender gap has been closed, while the Philippines has emerged as a regional leader, ranking 25th out of 146 countries with a gender parity score of 77.9%. This puts the country ahead in Southeast Asia, surpassing Singapore (48th), Thailand (65th), and Vietnam (72nd).
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FNF Philippines advocates the Localization of the National Cybersecurity Plan for Local Government Units
Since the 1990s, the exponential growth of Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) has revolutionized economies and societies worldwide, serving as a critical enabler of connectivity, innovation, and productivity. While the evolution of ICT faced resistance over decades, the COVID-19 pandemic catalyzed its rapid adoption as a necessity rather than an option. This shift ushered in an era of accelerated digital transformation, bringing with it unprecedented opportunities but also heightened risks. The vulnerabilities of digital systems became increasingly apparent, with cyberthreats exploiting weaknesses in cyberspace at an alarming rate.
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Dakila’s Active Vista Launches ReimagiNation Project to Empower Youth Leaders
Dakila’s Active Vista, in its ongoing mission to empower young leaders within communities, launched the ReimagiNation project this year. The initiative aims to nurture young people as storytellers and change-makers within their localities.
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Phase Two of HRAC Project Aims to Improve Human Rights Framework in Caraga LGUs
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) - Caraga Region is continuing the second phase of its project aimed at institutionalizing Human Rights Action Centers (HRACs) across the region. This project, which is part of a partnership with the Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FNF), follows the initial phase that was carried out from April to June 2024.
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Liberal Caucus of Congressional Staff (LCCS) Training Held to Strengthen Political Advocacy
In April 2024, the Center for Liberalism and Democracy organized the Liberal Caucus of Congressional Staff (LCCS) Training in Baguio City to advance liberal causes. The event aimed to empower political and community mobilizers, experts, and academics with the skills and strategies needed to engage effectively with their communities, build coalitions, and influence policy outcomes in line with liberal values.
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Center for Liberalism and Democracy Promotes Political Discourse and Free Expression
One of the ongoing initiatives of the Center for Liberalism and Democracy (CLD) is to provide a safe space for discussing political and social issues. Through its Freedom Spaces program, CLD fosters open dialogue, encourages free expression, and bridges divides by recognizing the diversity of viewpoints. This initiative aims to create new platforms for liberal democratic values, helping to expand the conversation around political freedoms and social justice.
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After years of collaboration, FNF Philippines and Rappler finally came together today for their first in-person partner agreement signing at Rappler’s office in Estancia, Quezon City. Representing FNF Philippines were Dr. Almut Besold, its Country Director, along with Ms. Yanyan Arana and Ms. Pie Escobar, while Rappler was represented by Ms. Glenda Gloria, its Executive Director, and Ms. Maegan Ragudo. This milestone not only formalized the partnership but also paved the way for deeper collaboration on projects such as citizen journalism and combating disinformation.
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On March 8, 2025, the Center for Liberalism and Democracy (CLD), in partnership with the Friedrich Naumann Foundation Philippines, hosted the 2025 Sectoral Summit in Tondo, Manila, bringing together 80 representatives from various sectors, including women, indigenous people, workers, farmers, fisherfolk, and civil society organizations. The summit aimed to foster dialogue on inclusive policies and legislative agendas aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), guiding lawmakers in creating laws that address the needs of these diverse groups. The event featured speeches from Atty. Leila De Lima where she emphasized the power of voting as the first step in advocating for sectoral concerns. Following the speeches, sector representatives engaged in roundtable discussions, sharing their challenges and priorities. These insights will be compiled by CLD to create a comprehensive legislative roadmap that reflects the aspirations of all sectors to ensure their voices are heard in policy development.
